This is me being pissy

[terrie]

I have dyslexia and dysgraphia. I generally don't let them slow me down, and I rarely ask for accomodation, despite the fact that I'm entitled to it by law. Well, one of my prof's insists that you can bring anything handwritten into the exam -- no books, no typed notes. His reasoning is that he thinks people learn better that way. Which is fine. I handwrite my class notes for that reason. But I have difficulty reading handwriting. And I don't want to waste my time trying to puzzle through my own handwriting during the exam. So I asked if I could type them. He turned me down. Only students with phsycial barriars to writing (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) get to type.

This is the prof who goes on and on about the violation of rights by the government, but apparently, it's okay to violate my rights. Grrrrr. He says he doesn't want to risk someone having an advantage. I guess my having a disadvantage isn't a problem.

I'm going to drop him an email pleading my case, but if he turns me down, I'll cheerfully go over his head.

Comments

[miriam-heddy.livejournal.com]

I would definitely both email him and, if he's unresponsive, go above him. I'd keep in mind, though, that being a professor doesn't keep one from being ignorant about all sorts of things, including reading and writing and learning disabilities.

[terrie01.livejournal.com]

This is a law school. So it's always surprising when they break the law. Of course, one of my other prof's who specializes in discrimination law says lawyers are the worst, because they all think they know what they're doing.

[mice1900.livejournal.com]

Whap the sucker with the ADA. You deserve the accomodation you need. It's not like you're asking for that much.

[terrie01.livejournal.com]

After talking to him again and explaining in more detail how difficult I find it to deal with handwriting, he's agreed to let me use a typed outline. Thank goodnes.

[mice1900.livejournal.com]

I'm very pleased to hear it. Good luck!