Disability - Request for accomodation

I've been accepted to a program that begins in January. I received my paperwork today and included is a form to request Reasonable Accomodations for disabilities.

My question is...what if your "disability" falls under the category of Psychological Impairment? I have a form of bipolar depression that sometimes affects my memory. Not that I have trouble learning, it just takes me a bit longer to study and retain things.

It does not affect at all my day-to-day living and with medication I have no mood swings at all.

Should I tell them and risk a backlash or keep it to myself?

[Lecia]

Unless you need some sort of accomodation... which it appears you do not... I would keep it to yourself. Unfortunately you don't know what prejudices may be out there to those of us with mental illness.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I totally agree. It can only hurt you. Besides, what kind of accomodation can be provided?

[medicrnohio, RN]

Some schools have any office that deals specifically with students with disabilities and determines what accomodations can be made for them. You might want to check with your school if you feel that you will need some kind of accomodations.

[PJMommy]

I'd also add that "accomodation" is mandated by ADA but there are certain parameters that must be met in order to be considered disabled -- physically or mentally. In other words, they don't take your word for it and you usually must show proof of the assessments and diagnoses.

[bluesky, BSN, RN]

One of my friends that started at UMD has bipolar and they accomodated her to the extent that they gave her a private room and extra time for tests. They didn't however, have a disability support person on campus (Shady Grove) and the program coordinator wasn't willing to make any other meaningful accomodations (such as allowing her to retake an exam that she failed because she was manic). She ended up going to another school (Georgetown of all places) where she is getting *alot* of support including radically different test schedules and personalized counseling.

I would say not to disclose your disability to other students (until you figure out who you can trust) but to ABSOLUTELY talk to the administration! I mean if they are so closed minded that they can't even do their jobs and be helpful (read ADA), is this the school where you want to be in the 1st place?