# Ableism in Public schools **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130 "2025-09-17T17:40:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/21 "2025-09-17T18:59:46Z")
I don’t know what state you live in but, in my Illinois district, disabilities are taken very seriously. When a student registers, we get the medical information upfront. A meeting is scheduled between the parent(s) and the specialists in our school, and an IEP (individual educational plan) is formulated, understood, and agreed upon, and then it is implemented. We are actually working towards having an LBS1 specialist for each grade level. ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/22 "2025-09-17T19:03:32Z")
Im in america 🫠 🌟 ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/23 "2025-09-17T19:04:25Z")
im talking about highschool and up also in america mainly ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/24 "2025-09-17T19:07:03Z")
> [@melaniethewitch](#): > > Im in america 🫠 🌟 Understood but, outside of federal guidelines, individual states control a lot of what goes on in public schools within their own states. Illinois, being a liberal state, stresses public services, education, aid for disabilities, etc. If you live in one of those, “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” states, things can be markedly different. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/25 "2025-09-17T19:07:08Z")
My understanding is that the implementation of IDEA varies a lot from state to state. Of course since Trump gutted the Department of Education we will not see timely investigations when the law is violated. And state budgets have no choice but to slash funding since the federal government is cutting them off. So all of these issues will get worse. ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/26 "2025-09-17T19:09:35Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > - There’s a break between terms, and that means that “the time is there”? Huh? What do you believe happens during that break? What’s your evidence to support that belief? ok so what I meant was that the break is kinda like a thinking moment its quite odd.. I think is supposed to be a breather there but they continue talking and its not only a break for the student but the staff stopped taking notes and its all in the same room so that’s why I know they aren’t getting other things done also since it’s after school. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/27 "2025-09-17T19:10:08Z")
I had a grand mal seizure at work and they called 911. The doctor told me if I had another seizure, it wasn’t necessarily a medical emergency. My employer said that’s nice but we’re definitely going to call 911 if it happens again. I get it. It’s a liability thing. (I was diagnosed with epilepsy since I had three in one day and had one years earlier. But I’ve been on anticonvulsants and haven’t had one since 2016.) ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/28 "2025-09-17T19:10:20Z")
its uhm washington ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/29 "2025-09-17T19:11:47Z")
yes, the thing is with pots if they faint and aren’t injured we only need a few minutes not a hospital and when I get the doctors note they wont call 911… ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/30 "2025-09-17T19:13:22Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > - “Improving staff area” has _never_ been a financial priority at any school I’m at. If you get a thousand bucks of improvement over a year, that’s a windfall. That’s pennies compared to the cost of building a single accommodation or of a single staff position that meets accommodation needs. …Ok so the staff areas have high quality and high priced stuff while the room students are allowed in there’s only normal stuff ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/31 "2025-09-17T19:13:57Z")
But that’s not a disability issue, is it? ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/32 "2025-09-17T19:14:36Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > - The budget for vending machines for staff is really different from the budget for accommodations. In general, staff vending machines are supplied by a third party vendor who services and stocks them. The vendor either offers them free of charge, or actually pays for the privilege of having them in the break room, because they turn such a profit. I don’t know how it is many other places but the principal has done fundraisers to get stuff like coffee machines back there. ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/33 "2025-09-17T19:14:57Z")
No, but it’s just a side note ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/34 "2025-09-17T19:15:46Z")
(it shows how the system here isn’t the best) ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/35 "2025-09-17T19:17:37Z")
sorry if it doesn’t make sense I’m not the best at explaining. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/36 "2025-09-17T19:19:07Z")
> [@melaniethewitch](#): > > yes, the thing is with pots if they faint and aren’t injured we only need a few minutes not a hospital and when I get the doctors note they wont call 911… Please rephrase? ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/37 "2025-09-17T19:27:09Z")
[POTS](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16560-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots) [(postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16560-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots) isn’t necessarily a fainting disorder but when someone with POTS does faint it only takes a few minutes for them to regain consciousness …and if they don’t get hurt they don’t need immediate medical attention, typically when people with POTS go to the hospital the hospital cannot do much unless they get injured from the fall. They might need a few hours to be able to sit up because of a flare up, so they don’t faint or collapse again but again, going to the hospital doesn’t do any better than a friend following what the person told them to do beforehand. Although after a certain amount of time or if their blood pressure and or their heart rate doesnt get better, then it’s time to call 911. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/38 "2025-09-17T19:30:43Z")
> [@melaniethewitch](#): > > I don’t know how it is many other places but the principal has done fundraisers to get stuff like coffee machines back there. That’s probably because they can’t get the money any other way. There are no grants for staff coffee machines. I think you are correct that some schools fail to properly accommodate students with disabilities. There are plenty of horror stories out there. I’m just not entirely clear on your specific complaints. You generally do need doctor’s notes for ADA accommodations. In my son’s case, the school evaluated him with their own team. But they also took medical evaluation results. In my case, I needed a fair amount of documentation. I agree it would be nice if the burden for figuring out the best accomodations didn’t always fall on the student. This is where having a therapist or medical professional can be helpful because they often will know what a reasonable accommodation is and how to get it. It helps to have someone outside the school who can provide recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/39 "2025-09-17T19:34:33Z")
The problem is that the school cannot make a medical diagnosis, so it something like this happens they cannot legally assume that it what the student says it is and not something more life threatening. “We just assumed that it was “A” going on, and not “B” thru “Z”, will not stand up in a court of law in most cases, and letting a child self-diagnose is just asking for lawsuits. ---
**Author:** ![melaniethewitch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melaniethewitch/32/18930_2.png) [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130/40 "2025-09-17T19:43:04Z")
Ok let me try to make its more clear, [ADA](https://www.ada.gov/topics/mobility-devices/) does state you can ask for a doctor note but what really bothered me was when the nurse said “Lets not Use {mobility aid} here unless you know you need it its a sensitive topic and how will others react” sorry for not mentioning it. - You may ask that they provide “credible assurance” that the device is used because of a disability. - **You may not ask about the nature or extent of someone’s disability. This is also true if someone is using a wheelchair or other manual mobility aid.** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ableism-in-public-schools/1023130.md?page=3)