High school is stressful enough on its own, and many students have external issues that increase that stress, including medical conditions. I hold a 504 medical plan for Type 1 diabetes, and my accommodations range from the use of my phone to monitor my blood sugars to being able to leave class and reschedule tests. Throughout middle and high school, issues have surfaced regarding teachers failing to follow my 504 plan.
This problem started in 6th grade, shortly after receiving my diagnosis. I had been out of school for a month and was grappling with the life-changing notion of having additional responsibilities for my health at freshly 12-years-old. After meetings with the school before returning, my 504 was established, and all my teachers received my medical plan. During the class period before lunch, I needed to leave 10 minutes early to take insulin in the nurse’s office. This need was very directly outlined in my 504, and I had even talked to all of my teachers individually to make sure they knew. Despite all the opportunities to understand my 504 plan, my teacher managed to completely disregard it. I ended up leaving despite her telling me no. As a barely 12-year-old, going directly against an authority figure for my own medical safety was strange to experience.
Freshman year, I tried extra hard to properly inform my teachers of my medical accommodations. I spoke to every teacher individually and explained why I need my accommodations. Despite my attempts, I still had unpleasant experiences. One teacher repeatedly forgot my phone accommodation throughout the second semester, despite my constant reminders and help from the school sending out my 504 plan again.
These stories are only a fraction of the many that I alone have. There are many other students at our school with accommodations, and I can only imagine how many stories they may have.
The lack of respect and trust that many teachers put towards me and my 504 is unacceptable. If these teachers mentioned had the decency to respect me and my plan, then they would follow it and there would be no problem. The issue isn’t a teacher forgetting every once in a while; the issue is the repeated disrespect and downplaying of my medical condition. My 504 accommodations aren’t optional, but many teachers seem to lack the proper understanding of that.
I have had teachers simply not read the 504 email, which is why I bring it to their attention myself. Students with accommodations should not have to deal with teachers being unable to follow basic instruction.
To be clear, I have had so many amazing teachers that truly listened, but that makes the lack of ability for some other teachers even more concerning. I find myself wondering at the start of every school year which teacher will be an issue, which I should not have to worry about on top of school and my health. I hope that both current and future students have a more positive experience with their medical plans and teachers than I have.
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