“Like A Fish Being Judged by My Ability to Fly”: Barriers to Accessibility in Postgraduate Study

Authors

Molly E. Thompson, City University of New YorkFollow

Document Type

Other

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Abstract

This research paper explores the unique accessibility challenges faced by disabled postgraduate students and what can be done to address them. Testimonies and formal studies alike show how disabled graduate students have to deal with stigmatizing attitudes from their instructors (especially if they hold intersectional marginalized identities) on top of systemic barriers such as strict deadlines, unsustainably heavy workloads, inaccessible travel requirements, and disability services that are not suited to undergraduate needs. These problems are especially prominent in medical school where demands on time and energy are especially rigorous. To address these issues, disability service programs must be reformed to more efficiently and knowledgeably address the specific needs of postgraduates. Ableist attitudes must be addressed among faculty and students through the development of a “disability culture.” This shift in attitude must translate into a reimagining of unfair institutional requirements and an embracing of Universal Design principles. There is still a dearth of literature on postgraduate experiences with disability, but it is clear that there are problems that must be addressed.