Trying to Study

[Aspergers_Aspie]

I am going to try and take up a discriminatory case against my college and NHS for not providing me adequate study space. The college library is very noisy, even the student's association confirmed this! and the library staff said 'Unfortunately, outside the library is an open area and does become noisy at certain times of the day'! I have autism and other conditions and I am on medications and see a counsellor and a mental health nurse, I make use of helplines and mental health charities too (the NHS wouldn't give me counselling either)! I am in the UK, does anyone know please how I may do this? Thanks!

 

[Misery]

That doesnt sound like something they have any control over.

You cant magically make everyone within a certain radius be quiet, nothing works that way.

 

[Tony Ramirez]

Libraries are noisy and there is no reason they should be. I go to public libraries all the time in NYC, and they are just as loud as parks. People talk all the time. Toilets flush, elevators lifts ding, lots of chair noise. I have to wear headphones. It's ridiculous.

 

[Mary Terry]

I used to find the most isolated, secluded corner of the law library on the top floor or the basement floor, far away from others. The basement was best because few students ever went down there.

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

I know people probably don't realise they are causing this large problem though! Also some people are constantly sniffing, I don't understand why they don't blow their noses!

 

[Outdated]

A set of noise canceling headphones would greatly improve your quality of life.

 

[Judge]

A set of noise canceling headphones would greatly improve your quality of life.

A simple, yet effective method for an autistic person to deal with agonizing external sounds beyond their control. Something a number of us do, myself included. Especially when I need to collect my thoughts without any interference. When the slightest sound might annoy the hell out of me.

Also a major reason why attempting to litigate such an issue would likely be a waste of time.

Though before considering expensive noise-cancelling headphones, why not invest in an inexpensive pair of industrial use ear protectors ? Effective based on a higher noise reduction rating (NRR) at 30db and above. And they fold up nicely, without any considerations of breakage compared to more fragile headphones.

Apart from reducing/eliminating external sound, they afford you mobility. That you can go to any number of places to study and still maintain the same quiet environment with reduced external sound.

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

I also think some lecturers don't respect my autism. I proved to the college I have it with an NHS letter

 

[Hypnalis]

@Aspergers_Aspie

You're walking a fine line between "reasonable accommodations" and "weaponizing your situation".

Remember that in a normal-sized institution or service organization you're far from the only one that needs reasonable accommodations: the institution, and similar institutions, have plenty of data to support what they do.

They'll happily do what they are required to, and perhaps a little more.
But are a poor target for an attack, because if they are too generous to one person, they have to change the rules for everyone.

Requiring absolute quiet in a large library is obviously not reasonable.

Does it establish a pattern of behavior? Of course not: you can't extrapolate from a single data point.
But it suggests you should review your strategy.

If you want to "fight to expand the envelope" go ahead. But accept that it will take a lot of energy.

 

[Aspergers_Aspie]

There is a group of people who are doing fake coughing in the college library it's SO annoying
link to fake coughing

 

[Hypnalis]

It's odd that you didn't include that in your first post.

If it's happening, it's bad behavior, and not something the Library staff will ignore. Address it with the library staff.

 

[Rodafina]

I also think some lecturers don't respect my autism. I proved to the college I have it with an NHS letter

I wonder if maybe it is more a case of limited understanding than a lack of respect. Have you discussed your needs with these lecturers?

To have our unique needs met through reasonable accommodations, we need to be able to clearly articulate what exactly we need and keep that within reason. Putting it on the record that we have autism is not necessarily helpful, whereas asking for specific accommodations due to a documented problem is different.

For example, a lecturer may be receptive to being asked if a student could wear a hat during class with 1 headphones break per lecture. A student could ask for a specific seat or permission to stand at the back of the room during a lecture. We must be strong self advocates and at least give others the chance to respect our stated needs rather than look for universal understanding. Have you given your lecturers this chance to respect your needs?

 

[VictorR]

I am going to try and take up a discriminatory case against my college and NHS for not providing me adequate study space.

As the saying goes, anyone can try to make a case of anything. It does help to be pragmatic, however, so one isn't spending their time (and those of other parties) on something that is not likely to be productive.

To start, you named NHS as one of the counter parties. Can you identify how NHS has an obligation to provide you with study space? If not, then perhaps they're not a relevant party.

Your other proposed counter party is your college. Do they have an obligation to provide a quiet study space?

This one is a bit more interesting.

Generally speaking, an educational institution's role is to provide education. As in instruction. In that sense, I don't see a direct connection.

That stated, most schools also offer resources, and that's where things get more interesting.

One such resource are libraries. Their main role is to provide access to books and other media. Again, there doesn't seem to be a clear connection.

With that stated, libraries can serve as a place to study, but what that means can vary.

It's not unusual for libraries to permit beverages in closed containers, for people to collaborate on projects, or even have food if discreet. Some libraries may have designated areas or rooms for this. Some libraries may desingate a quiet study room or area - if yours does not have one, perhaps you could make a proposal for and advicate for one.

One exception to the above is reference / archival libraries - where one accesses books that cannot be borrowed. In these libraries (which might form a floor or section of a larger general library), silence is the norm and sometimes even water bottles may not be permitted. They're not really intended to be general study spaces, but if you don't have one at home or elsewhere, perhaps that might work.

As Mary Terry suggested, some schools have faculty libraries and these often may be less used and quieter, and you may have access to them as a student even if not studying in a given faculty.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Now when things get to noisy I look for quieter places, most notably a parties.

 

[Cutesie]

Libraries are noisy and there is no reason they should be. I go to public libraries all the time in NYC, and they are just as loud as parks.

The libraries in New York changed their policies regarding noise. People are still expected to be reasonably quiet, but one doesn't have to be silent as a mouse. It really makes a difference which branch you visit, because the rules are very much selectively enforced.