Tag: Self-Advocacy

Generation Patient

Disabled students continue to live out the mantra, “Nothing About Us, Without Us,” being out and proud on social media, creating start-ups and founding organizations around the world.

Generation Patient is one such student-to-student resource that is gaining traction. Founded by Sneha Davis who graduated with a degree in Journalism from Indiana University in 2020, Generation Patient seeks to connect students to resources, inform professionals and advocate for increased awareness and understanding of chronic illnesses as disabilities. A particular focus is on addressing ableism in the health services fields.

The team, mostly graduate students and recent graduates in professions, host virtual meetings on topics such as transitioning to college, family dynamics, advocating for fair insurance rates and prescription drugs, along with peer support.

A recent Round Table event focused on accessing higher education, with spotlights on working with campus disability services offices; being “believed” as a disabled person; and establishing trust with faculty.

Visit Generation Patient to learn more about chronic illness as a disability.

Tips from Students for More Effective Remote Learning

The National Deaf Center has collected a number of tips for being more effective learning remotely. These tips are those that students themselves have found helpful. The tips below can benefit any student.

  • Join an online deaf support group. There are several on Facebook!
  • Start a group with friends and/or classmates to motivate and support each other with being accountable to finish the term strong.
  • Manage your time well. Make sure your schedule has time for YOU, such as meditation, yoga, reading books, and exercise.
  • Use a Fitbit or similar device to remind you to get up and move.
  • Use blue light blocking glasses to help decrease eye strain. Be sure to schedule time away from electronics to decompress.
  • Set small, attainable goals and celebrate when you complete each one.
  • Make sure you get the sleep and nutrition you need.

For students who are D/HOH, in addition to the tips above, the NDC collection of tips includes specific tips on how to manage accommodations and communicating with instructors and the disability services office. To  review those tips, visit https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/covid19faqs.

An overarching theme of all the tips is that students will fare better if they make sure they communicate  with instructors, and others to make sure they have the information they need about course expectations, assignments and other elements of the course

United States College Programs for Autistic Students

The College Autism Network has developed a list of college support programs that specifically serve autistic students. Members of the College Autism Network Virtual Association of Scholars (CANVAS) recognized there was an absence of a comprehensive list of programs specifically designed for the autistic students.

The PDF is designed as a resource for autistic students interested in seeking a college degree, parents and guardians of autistic students, guidance and transition professionals, and other support personnel. In addition to researchers and scholars, colleges and universities may also find this PDF helpful in finding peer institutions.

The document, United States College Programs for Autistic Students, is available at, https://collegeautismnetwork.org/advocacy/institutional-initiatives/. A PDF version of this information is  also available. United States College Programs for Autistic Students (PDF)

More information about the College Autism Network  and their efforts to to improve postsecondary access, experiences, and outcomes for autistic students can be found at https://collegeautismnetwork.org/.