Disability Awareness Week 

Today marks the beginning of disability awareness week here at Cal. Even if you think you’re not disabled, you might be. A disability doesn’t just mean a physical or learning disability, but also psychological. Most disabilities are “invisible” ones. Do you have depression, ADD, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Then you should register with the DSP.

I’m registered at the DSP because I have an autoimmune condition called fibromyalgia that flares up sometimes and makes me pretty sick. Unfortunately, there’s not much the DSP can do for people like me except offer sympathy and emotional support. Which is something, but when you can’t get out of bed to go to class for a week, doesn’t seem like much.

Another thing about the DSP is that it’s a huge bureacracy (like the rest of Cal) and there are so many places where things can go wrong. One of the more annoying things is having to re-apply every semester (because, of course, being disabled can change in just six months!) and having to give print-outs to all of your professors and GSIs telling them you are disabled. Then you often have to meet with them and discuss arrangements for accomodations. All of this can be extremely tiring if you have a disability which causes fatigue.

But if you feel you meet the qualifications, I would still urge you to register. It’s best to know all of your options, even if they’re kind of crappy.Email This Post!