disabilidit
Words by Shona Edwards and Orla Spurr on behalf of DIDA (Disability, Illness and Divergence Association UoA)
At the University of Adelaide, registration for Disability Support is open to ‘students who have a diagnosed disability or ongoing medical condition.’
paperwork. Quickly, although, you realise your doctor didn’t adequately explain how your condition impacts your ability to study and now you have to book another appointment to redo the form, ‘Diagnosed’ is the key word hereotherwise your access plan won’t truly reflect the support you require. You feel This seems like no big deal, though right? frustrated, exhausted and confused. Half Well... let’s talk about what it really takes the semester has passed and despite fillto be diagnosed and meaningfully sup- ing out your paperwork there’s no helpful ported. pay-off in sight. Firstly, for many of us, identifying as disabled, chronically ill or neurodivergent is a difficult process. It requires adjustment, grief and acceptance: It involves facing the financial and social barriers to diagnosis, along with an overwhelming isolation. For instance, say you’re a student with ADHD and a condition that causes chronic pain. One day, while experiencing brain fog and traveling on a bus to an appointment (if you remember to attend it), you endure a flare-up in pain that leaves you in bed for days. However, eventually you get access to the University’s Disability Support through your
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Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon experience. When we founded the Disability, Illness and Divergence Association (DIDA) at the University of Adelaide, we discovered that less than half of us were registered with Disability Support. Some of us endured the experiences illustrated above. For others, as they were considering registration, the application process seemed unfamiliar and the prospect of getting an Access Plan was similarly confusing... And what do ‘alternative arrangements’ even look like? Many still haven’t discovered what ‘works’ for them and what doesn’t. Thus, even when available, these students don’t know what support to ask
