AITA for reporting my professor for refusing to accommodate my disability?’
A university student with a documented disability is struggling with a dismissive professor who refuses to accommodate her needs. Despite submitting the required paperwork for online assignment submissions and lecture recordings, the professor penalizes her for missing classes and deducts marks for late submissions.
After attempting to resolve the issue without success, she reported him to the university’s disability office. Now, some classmates criticize her for taking action, but she believes she deserves respect for her accommodations and hard work. read the original story below…
‘ AITA for reporting my professor for refusing to accommodate my disability?’
I (21F) am a Canadian university student, majoring in psychology with an 87% average. I have a documented disability that frequently requires hospitalization, which is why I need certain accommodations, like being allowed to submit assignments online and recording lectures if I’m too ill to attend.
With these in place, I’ve been able to keep up my grades. This semester, I’m taking an elective course, as you have to take several to graduate, taught by Dr. X (70sM). At the beginning of the semester, I submitted all the paperwork for my accommodations, as I do for every class.
These accommodations aren’t anything excessive—just being allowed to submit work online without penalty and being sent a recording lectures in case I’m hospitalized or unable to attend in person. Other professors this semester have gone above and beyond and I couldn’t be more happy with them!
Dr. X however was immediately dismissive and told me he “didn’t believe in special treatment” and that I should “learn to prioritize attending class like everyone else.” I tried explaining that my condition makes it impossible for me to always attend in person and that these accommodations are necessary for me to succeed.
He said I was using my disability as a crutch and that “life doesn’t hand out exceptions.” I emailed him afterward to clarify and ask again that he respect the accommodations. He responded that I “should be grateful” he hadn’t already penalized me for missing one of his lectures and that “in the real world, there are no special privileges.”
This honestly broke me because I’ve worked so hard to keep my grades up despite my condition. Things escalated during a major assignment. I had submitted it online, as per my accommodation, because I was hospitalized at the time.
Dr. X deducted 20% from my grade, moving an 80 I’d earned to a 60, saying it was late because I didn’t submit it in person. I tried to talk to him about it, but he refused to budge and said I should’ve found a way to submit it in person.
I reminded him that my accommodations allow for online submissions, and he just brushed it off, saying I should’ve figured out another way. At that point, I reported him to the university’s disability office. They were really supportive and told me he was absolutely in the wrong.
A few days later, yesterday, Dr. X pulled me aside after lecture, which I attended in person, and said I had “made him look bad” by going to the administration. He called me e**itled and said I should “s**k it up and deal with life’s unfairness.”
Now, some classmates have heard about it, and a few said I overreacted by reporting him and should’ve just accepted the situation since it’s only one class and one professor, they keep saying I just need a 50 to pass the class.
But I don’t think I should have to accept discrimination just because this class is an elective and because I’m still passing. My accommodations are legally required, and I’ve worked really hard to maintain my grades in spite of my health issues. AITAH?
Here’s what Redditors had to say:
GielM − I’d reverse his statements: “Listen, buttercup! Every other professor has to deal with my legally required accomodations. You’re not special! Just s**k it up and deal with life’s unfairness.”
WildxXxCindy − You are NTA. Dr. X is legally obligated to provide the accommodations outlined in your documentation, and his refusal to do so is discriminatory. You have the right to fight for fair treatment and access to education.
Lonely-World-981 − NTA. The professor is was blatantly violating Canadian (and US) Law – in addition to university policy. You should immediately follow up to the University Disability Office and ask help to lodge a formal complaint with both their office, and the dean of faculty, over him pulling you aside after the lecture and making those remarks.. Why?
1- The interaction shows that you have been marked for retaliation and can not have a fair experience in the class. When similar things happened at my US college, they would either assign another professor to oversee the class grading, or reassign the class to another professor mid-semester.
2- The professor is unfit to hold that position and needs to be professionally reprimanded. The confrontation and comments the professor made in response to your complaint are grossly unprofessional and would lead to suspension and termination of a tenured professor at most schools.
mynameisnotjennifer1 − You need to let them know he pulled you aside and chastised you. That’s retaliation and is not allowed. You may also need to request a grade review at the end of the class. This is where someone like the department chair looks over your work and decides if the grade is warranted.
This professor is breaking the law (as far as I’m aware disability laws in Canada are similar to the US). It’s going to s**k because this professor has his head on backwards if he thinks disability accommodations are privileges.
It’s not a special right to need an elevator because a person’s wheelchair cannot go up stairs. Your accommodations are different but they are no less necessary. Stand your ground, keep records of everything, and report this professor every time you need to. NTA
TheFinalPhilter − I mad him look bad. Lol he made himself look bad NTA.
Mad_Cat_Lady − NTA I think Dr X should “s**k it up and deal with life’s unfairness.”
Resting_NiceFace − I’m a professor. PLEASE report his recent comments to the disability office as well. What he’s doing is completely illegal and could be classed as retaliation against you. The office needs to know exactly what he’s doing in case he tries to tank your grade through other means. Do not drop this – he is 100% wrong and you are right.
DrTeethPhD − NTA If he whines to you again, tell him that “In the real world there are consequences for discrimination and failing to follow both employer policy and federal and provincial legislation. Further, he should learn to prioritize following the policy and the legislation, and if that conflicts with his personal beliefs, he should try harder to make it work.”
originalgenghismom − **”…and said I had ‘made him look bad’ by going to the administration. He called me e**itled and said I should s**k it up and deal with life’s unfairness’.l** NTA. You should’ve looked him in the eye and said, “You should s**k it up and deal with life’s unfairness.”
Lus_wife − The overachiever in me would be so pissed off if someone took my grade from an 80 to a 60😭. I have lupus and understand your situation. He’s the AH.
Did she overreact, or was it justified to stand up for her rights? Share your thoughts below!