New York University

By our metrics, NYU is one of the more accessible and disability-friendly campuses in the US although there is much room for improvement. A student at NYU School of Law tells us, "NYU Law is very accommodating to requests for common neurodivergence diagnoses like ADHD, but is minimally and sometimes not at all accommodating to requests that stem from less common neurodivergence diagnoses. If they haven't heard of it, they don't believe it exists."

It was surprising to learn that NYU does not have a football team, which is unusual for a school of its size and prestige, but makes sense given the limited space in Lower Manhattan. We consider this positive, given the violence and ethical problems associated with football.

NYU's Student Health Center (SHC) issues pretty solid guidance on helping students in distress, without resorting to the ableist, fearmongering language often seen on so many other university websites. That said, because New York City is one of the most heavily policed cities in the country, marginalized students thinking of living here should be aware of potentially frequent interactions with police and how that might negatively impact their safety and well-being. NYU is also home to the controversial Policing Project program, which has been heavily criticized by community groups as well as NYU School of Law students for being funded by police agencies and for promoting technological solutions that "sanitize police violence and surveillance."

A student also tells people to check out NYU Connections ASD, which is "a free and optional program for autistic NYU students dedicated to promoting student success by promoting a culture of acceptance and belonging. The program focuses on recognizing and building on each student's unique strengths and providing opportunities to connect with other neurodiverse NYU students through group meetings and projects."