Lilith,

Different experiences often give rise to different conclusions. I’ve worked with some handicappers who were and remain very easy to get along with – and also with some seriously intransigent and unaccommodating ones. One of the more colorful is now an aspiring politician! I definitely feel that they are as normal as you and I, just with some bits dysfunctional.

In re the maze your students face, I was under the impression that public school districts must comply with Title II of the ADA. Perhaps I’m misinterpreting, but I thought that applied to structural changes to eliminate barriers. While not required as a matter of course, I thought that they do have to be made if there is no other way to provide accessibility. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 might also apply. My last work in this area was almost six years ago, so I may not be current.

I fear that (re)integrating the disabled into society not only has been, is, but will continue to be a tough row to hoe for the foreseeable future.

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Eudaimonia