Students of Wheaton College MA, Wheaton Alum, staff, faculty, and others associated with the institution are being called to support disabled students who encounter ableism daily, both in and out of the classroom. For many years, Wheaton has promoted itself as an institution in being accessible, equitable, and equal in giving its disabled students a place to learn and belong. However, the ableism that is ingrained in the administrative systems has negatively impacted disabled students in their everyday lives, from their academics to their extracurriculars. This has led to many disabled students feeling unsafe, included, and wholly disregarded as members of the Wheaton College community. 

Olivia Garofalo, '25, is one such student who was courageous enough to share her story on social media:

"I've been going back & forth on if I should make this post but after this most recent incident I just couldn’t stay quiet anymore. If you follow my other account you probably already know what’s been going on but for everyone else, here’s the story. Even though this is my second year at Wheaton, it is my first year on campus as I was fully remote last year. I was so excited to be back in person after doing homeschool/virtual classes since 10th grade. Before the semester started I was able to see each of my classrooms to ensure they were accessible and immediately noticed that my wheelchair doesn’t fit under the tables. I was told that they would have a desk in each classroom that could fit my wheelchair. In one room they put a large grey desk, and while it does fit my wheelchair, the tabletop is so high that when I try to put my arms on it to write/type, my arms are above my shoulders which is extremely painful for me because of my CRPS and has also caused my shoulder to dislocate multiple times. In the second room they put an adjustable desk that can be moved up or down to the perfect height. Finally, the third room had chairs with a little desk attached (same desks that are in the first photo) and the room was very small, making it difficult to maneuver my wheelchair. That room was changed to a bigger one and I assumed they would put a desk in for me. It took 10 weeks for them to even respond to my emails and 13 weeks to get a desk that worked. THIRTEEN WEEKS. The first desk was the large grey one that was too big, and it was pushed up against the wall on two sides making it impossible for me to use (first photo). After many weeks of going back & forth, they said there was another one that had been adjusted to the correct height -it was neither tall enough nor wide enough to fit my wheelchair (second photo). I told them this and they said they had another one for me to try - it was the same huge unusable grey desk. At this point the professor had stepped in to try to advocate for me. After weeks of not hearing anything I received an email saying that they put another desk in the classroom that should work.

It was the same brown wooden desk that I had already said was too narrow and not tall enough. I specifically asked for them to get another adjustable one like I was already using, and I was informed that there are only two of those desks on the entire campus and both are being used. We were now in week 12 of the semester and I still did not have a desk and was unable to get any work done during classes because I had to try to balance my iPad on my legs. Then I got an email saying they found an electric desk in the library that can be adjusted and that it was set up in my classroom for me. So finally, 13 weeks later, I have a desk in that class. I thought that was the end of it. Then, on Tuesday 11/22, I got to my other class (the second classroom mentioned above) and my desk was gone. We looked in the nearby rooms, no one could find it. My professor even tried to bring in a table from the hallway outside but it wouldn’t fit through the doorway. I ended up having to sit at a table in the hallway for the entire class because I had no desk. It was humiliating. I was excluded from my own classroom because someone had taken my desk away and I had nowhere to sit to do my work. I don’t understand why this has been such an issue. Having a desk that fits my wheelchair isn’t even an accommodation, it’s just a basic need. I’m not asking for them to rebuild the entire campus which is very inaccessible for the most part - for example, I am unable to the majority of doors on campus. I have to wait for another student to help me out. And most times, people just open the door and let it go, either expecting the next person to hold it or if there’s no one else there, just let it shut. But that’s not what this post is about. I want a desk. That’s it. It should not have taken 13 weeks to get this figured out. And now I don’t even know where my other desk is.

At this point I’m done fighting for this. I’ve wasted so much time & energy that I don’t even have, all for nothing. I’ve fought so hard this entire semester for the most basic need and was barely successful. I feel like I’m not welcome at my own school that I’m literally paying to attend. If I can’t even have a desk that I can use, how am I supposed to trust that I’ll get any of my other necessary accommodations? I’m not posting this for attention or pity or to start drama. I’m posting this because what has happened to me is not okay and something needs to change - and in order for change to happen, I need to speak out." (Garofolo via Instagram)

This is just one example of many students’ experiences on campus. Students are angry, appalled, and disappointed by the college’s administration for their lack of acknowledgment of disabled students' rights on campus. They shouldn’t have to fight against the college for basic rights to their education, nor should they have to resort to social media in order for this problem to be addressed. Students should not be forced into humiliating situations because of a basic need that hasn’t been provided. Accessibility is a necessity, a RIGHT, and disabled students deserve to have an equal opportunity to learn in an environment they feel safe and included in. 

Disabled students belong in higher education. By signing this petition, you will be showing support for those who experience ableism at Wheaton College MA on campus, as well as calling for change in how Wheaton College addresses these issues.

Wheaton students: Wheaton’s Accessibility Board, a student-run board, will be hosting a meeting to have a conversation regarding inaccessibility in our community. Please join our community in Meneely 105 this Thursday, 12/1, at 8pm. There will be a Zoom option if you can’t make it in person.

For more information on creating change through policy at Wheaton, please visit the Wheaton Accessibility Board on Instagram: @WheatonAccessibility

If you would like to get involved in advocacy for those with disabilities through events as a part of a club, please visit WheAccess on Instagram: @WheAccess

This petition was created by students for students. This petition was neither created nor affiliated with Wheaton Accessibility Board.