Here we go again!

Yesterday my brother in law - the great Matthew Dietz - tagged me in a post criticizing the Washington Post editorial board’s recent article about accommodations in higher education institutions. He said the article perpetuates stereotypes. I think it does much more than that. It is dangerous, irresponsible and just factually wrong. It is emblematic of the current attitude towards people with disabilities. With the rise again of the use of the word “retarded” , normalizing making fun of disabled children and reporters, this is how it starts - the dehumanizing and other-ism of people with disabilities. The Washington Post article called accommodations such as extra time a “perk” and argued that having accommodations is a “crutch that hobbles their intellectual growth”. What a disgusting and ignorant statement. The article goes on to say that the 2008 amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) “overly broadened” the definition of disability under the ADA. As someone who has worked in the disability field since before 2008, I can promise you that that is not what the 2008 changes addressed. One thing the 2008 changes did address is the reality that smart people also have learning disabilities and need accommodations. Getting good grades is not the only factor that should be considered and that a child should not have to work 50% harder and longer to get the same grade when an accommodation can be provided that levels the playing field. It is not a perk but a method used to measure a student’s knowledge and mastery of the subject matter being taught. This school year I have heard words like “crutch” and “unfair advantage” and it makes my blood boil. Haven’t we already had this fight ? Haven’t we already won this fight ? Like in some many other areas, in this area we are going backwards. We are going to have to do it again. Fight again for understanding, humanity and dignity. Bring it on. Shame on you Washington Post for publishing this nonsense.

(I intentionally refuse to repost the article here)

@washingtonpost