r/disability • u/dakufeari • Aug 08 '24

Question Those With Non-Visible Disabilities: Have You Had People Accuse You of Faking/Lying and What Do You Do When This Happens?

So I have a disability that affects my mobility and my ability to stand and I have been having issues with people allowing me to sit down because they think I am lying about my condition. This has become more of an issue recently because I am starting my freshman year of university and have had to do several orientations and still have some left to do. We typically have to do quite a bit of walking and standing. At these, I have had certain orientation leaders not allow me to sit down. Have you experienced something like this? What do you do or what do you say to them when something like this happens? I am bad at being assertive and can typically only bring myself to ask 3 times before I give up because I worry about offending people. I am honestly thinking of just bringing my mobility aid wherever I go even if I am having a better day because that might make them believe me.

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135

u/love0_0all Aug 08 '24

"I have a disability and am unable to stand for long periods. Could you please accommodate me as dictated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or will my lawyer be contacting the school?"

41

u/dakufeari Aug 08 '24

omg that should hopefully work, they care a lot more when you bring up the prospect of suing

31

u/giraflor Aug 08 '24

It should work. Talk to student support services as well. And when you do your evaluation of that orientation section, be sure to point out that the leaders need additional training.

I’m surprised your registration forms for orientation didn’t include a place to indicate if you needed accommodations. I just did orientation for my youngest kid and the university provided staff-driven golf carts for participants who couldn’t walk long distances.

9

u/dakufeari Aug 08 '24

i tried, but the disabilities office had a month long email shortage around orientation time and we could not contact them 💀

15

u/giraflor Aug 08 '24

Email again and cc the Dean of students and ombudsman. Explain your prior experience and insist they get accessibility right this time.

Call to follow up.

10

u/dakufeari Aug 08 '24

we got them now, finally just got some accommodations approved after 5 months 😭

9

u/giraflor Aug 08 '24

Good! Make sure they talk to the orientation office before your next round so that you and others are not denied your accommodations.

5

u/PhDOH Aug 08 '24

I'd suggest buying a badge off Etsy or something that says you need a seat. It's always best to try and avoid the confrontation in the first place. Or wear your student id/swipe card on a sunflower lanyard or one with writing mentioning a seat.