{"id":88277,"date":"2018-06-29T20:09:25","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T18:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=88277"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:01","slug":"a-differently-wired-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/06\/29\/a-differently-wired-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A differently wired brain shouldn\u2019t prevent me from studying here\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The wheelchair race at the Erasmus Plaza is about to start. Some students and employees quickly try to get used to the wheelchairs before they start the race. Sanne, a student who\u00a0does<\/em>\u00a0lead a wheelchair-bound existence, smilingly observes the activity and gives advice to the participants: \u201cOperating a wheelchair is not about strength; it\u2019s more of a skill that you\u2019d develop gradually.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wheelchair race at the Erasmus Plaza<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeba Sukmana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The wheelchair race is part of the \u2018Unlimited study success at the EUR!\u2019. This event aims to raise awareness of functional impairments among students. The term \u2018functional impairment\u2019 refers not only to physical limitations (such as visual impairment or a motor skills disorder), but also disorders such as ADHD, ADD, autism, dyslexia or dyscalculia, chronic diseases (like cancer, epilepsy, diabetes), mental disorders such as depression, \u00a0and eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents with a functional impairment face a variety of problems,\u201d says Roos Venema, an employee with the \u2018Unlimited study success at the EUR!\u2019 project. \u201cIt\u2019s a big challenge for students with physical disabilities to get to classes on time, for instance, because they have to spend a long time waiting for the elevator, while students with certain mental disorders find it difficult to make plans, manage their time or cooperate with classmates.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lack of social acceptance by fellow students and lecturers is also a big problem. At least, that\u2019s how students Rianne, Michelle and Caroline experience it. All three of them have a functional impairment that\u2019s not always perceptible to their surroundings. \u201cI have ADD,\u201d says Michelle. \u201cI have a lot of difficulty in concentrating, so I\u2019m mostly exhausted after a long day. I find it almost impossible to maintain a social life in addition to my study and sometimes fellow students don\u2019t understand that I have a hard time keeping up and don\u2019t feel like going to a party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Criticism<\/h2>

Rianne, Michelle and Caroline are critical of the university. \u201cIn my opinion, the assistance offered isn\u2019t consistent with the education process itself,\u201d says Rianne, who has ADHD. \u201cFor example, you can get a referral from a university psychologist to do ADHD courses, but if your study advisor doesn\u2019t really understand what you\u2019re struggling with, then courses don\u2019t make much sense either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michelle has a different experience. \u201cA university psychologist once said to me: \u2018you wouldn\u2019t be able to study here at all.\u2019 Because of my ADD, I probably don\u2019t function like most people, but just because my brain is wired differently, it shouldn\u2019t prevent me from studying \u00a0here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caroline, who was diagnosed with autism later in life, sought outside help after failing her first study at the EUR. \u201cThe university does try to help, but they don\u2019t have the expertise, so they don\u2019t really know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Changes<\/h2>

There is room for improvement and Venema is committed to making changes at EUR. At this moment, for example, the university doesn\u2019t know the exact number of students with a functional impairment. \u201cBecause not all students indicate that they have an impairment when they enrol. And when this information does emerge, it\u2019s registered in different systems,\u201d Venema explains.<\/p>\n

In order to gain more insight into the problem, starting next year, a long-term study will be conducted on studying with a functional impairment at EUR. \u201cWe\u2019re also working hard on setting up a better work process so that we can monitor and help the students better, for example by offering extra facilities or modified assignments. In short, extra support from the study advisor, lecturers and fellow students.\u201d<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s also important, according to Venema, is that the students open up and report their disorder to their study advisor and lecturers. \u201cBecause how can we help them if we\u2019re not aware of their problems?\u201d<\/p>\n

Student panel<\/h2>

To address the problems of students with a functional impairment, the university has set up a student panel. Sanne is one of the members of this think-tank and she concentrates on practical matters such as accessibility on campus. \u201cI pointed out, for instance, that the sidewalk at the SPAR supermarket was subsiding. The university fixed it fairly quickly so that it\u2019s now more accessible for wheelchair users.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rianne is already thinking ahead: \u201cIt would be great if lecturers get coaching and training on how to help students with a functional impairment. What would also work very well is a \u2018buddy system\u2019, for example a third-year student who guides and helps you throughout your first academic year. I think that would work better than help from the dean or a study advisor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wheelchair race<\/h2>
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Wheelchair race at the Erasmus Plaza<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeba Sukmana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

More people come to the Plaza to participate in the wheelchair race organised by Venema. With a time of 59.70 seconds, Benjamin Jansen is crowned the winner at the end of the afternoon. \u201cThis race makes it clear what kind of obstacles you have to face when you\u2019re wheelchair bound,\u201d says the winner after the race. \u201cNow I only used it for half an hour, then it\u2019s okay. But if you\u2019re in a wheelchair all day, day in day out, it\u2019s physically exhausting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to annual report\u00a0<\/em>Studeren met een functiebeperking<\/a> \u00a0(Studying with a functional impairment), 16 percent of university of applied sciences students, 12 percent of bachelor\u2019s students and 10 percent of master\u2019s students have a functional impairment. This means that there are about 100,000 students in the Netherlands dealing with this issue.<\/em><\/p>\n

The name of Rianne is made fictional at the request of the interviewee.<\/span> Name is known to the editors.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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