University of Pennsylvania

A student says, "I have had many adverse experiences at my college, most are felt by many other Neurodivergent and/or Disabled students. The programs meant to help us are underfunded and understaffed. Many buildings are very old and thus, not up to ADA standards. The culture within the school is partly manufactured by many of the professors (particularly outside of the humanities) with a 'sink-or-swim' mentality where if you need help for any reason, that's a sign of weakness. The word at UPenn for trying to pretend like everything's fine when you're deeply struggling is 'Penn Face' and implies that everyone is deeply struggling but must pretend like they're alright. There are some good things at the school, but this isn't the question box for that. Overall, the culture is incredibly intense and the physical layout and neurotypical structure of campus and classes do not help."

Another student tells us, "I am disabled and diagnosed as such. I have a chronic illness that makes it hard for me to focus. The university's student disability services decided that I don't need to have a calculator with me for exams. Some students are left without a note taker if no one in their seminar class chooses to be a note taker. I can't blame them; it's only $8 an hour. What we need is for professors to send us detailed slides or a recording. None of the frat houses on Locust (center of campus) are accessible. Does UPenn think no disabled student would want to be in a frat? Do they think disabled students can't be frat members?"