When York University student Navi Dhanota requested academic supports in the context of mental health issues, York requested that she provide the specific diagnosis, which she thought was unnecessary and only perpetuated stigmatization and the fear of other affected students seeking additional supports. As a result, Dhanota filed a human rights complaint against York's requirement and finally after a two year long battle, a settlement has been reached. Thanks to Dhanota, the university's guidelines have been rewritten and now students at York no longer have to label their mental illness in order to gain access to on-campus supports. While Dhanota's determination and advocacy efforts have made a huge impact on York University, it is also paving the way for other schools, as it encourages other universities and campuses across the country to reconsider their own similar policies.
"Post-secondary schools shouldn’t require students to name their disability for fair access to supports, a government-funded report advises. It’s not only about peoples’ privacy rights. A medical diagnosis is just unnecessary for schools to provide critical help, says Michael Condra, a psychologist and lead author of Academic Accommodations, which outlined ways to make campuses more accessible. Labelling a complex illness such as depression, which can manifest in many different ways, won’t do as much to help a student as a doctor noting exactly how the illness affects that person’s ability to learn, says Condra."
For the full article, click here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/12/york-university-student-wins-mental-health-fight.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
"Post-secondary schools shouldn’t require students to name their disability for fair access to supports, a government-funded report advises. It’s not only about peoples’ privacy rights. A medical diagnosis is just unnecessary for schools to provide critical help, says Michael Condra, a psychologist and lead author of Academic Accommodations, which outlined ways to make campuses more accessible. Labelling a complex illness such as depression, which can manifest in many different ways, won’t do as much to help a student as a doctor noting exactly how the illness affects that person’s ability to learn, says Condra."
For the full article, click here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/12/york-university-student-wins-mental-health-fight.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
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