https://chroniclevitae.com/news/1377-conference-challenges-for-people-with-psychiatric-disabilities
In her article, “Conference Challenges for People with Psychiatric Disabilities,” Katie Rose Guest Pryal, a ChronicleVitae columnist and former clinical associate professor of law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, promotes “accessibility” accommodations at academic conferences.
Indeed, this article may not apply to many scholars; however, “neuro-divergent” tendencies can be a major hindrance to some while attending a conference, especially when presenting at one.
Certain neurologic conditions, such as autism or dyslexia, may be referred to as “neuro-divergent.” Yet, as Guest Pryal suggests, “neuro-divergent” may also be used to describe other psychiatric issues such as claustrophobia, agoraphobia, anxiety or panic disorder.
In her article, she calls for certain “accessibility measures” to be taken in order to ensure that people have a place to go when they need a break from the crowd while at a conference.
In the same manner that measures are taken to accommodate those with physical disabilities, she suggests that hallway seating, quiet rooms or even “quiet stairways” would provide neuro-divergent people a kind of sanctuary or place to get away from the crowd.
In addition, she mentions that these individuals may have to read their presentations not because they’re ill-prepared, but because they “have to.” In this way, reading a presentation paper is a kind of ‘security blanket’ and it helps them deal with this onerous pressure, making the conference “accessible” for them.
It’s true that everyone has some level of anxiety at some point or another, but some of us battle it constantly. Even small talk or hallway conversations at conferences can be tremendously difficult for people who are neuro-divergent.
Of course, going to a conference may be a daunting task, but we need to be aware of “accessibility accommodations” when we are organizing such an event. It’s quite probable that we will have several attendees who would very much appreciate a quiet space to just get away and catch their breath.
The human brain is quite complex and we’ll never fully understand why some are comfortable in a situation while others are not. The point remains that we have to accept the fact that we’re not all wired to behave or react the same way in any given scenario.
Having a peaceful place to which to retreat at a conference, even for a few minutes, could make an enormous difference in a certain scholar’s life. Let us not criticize him/her for reading too much from a paper, rather let us understand that he/she is doing what is necessary in order to deliver important research.
