The Benefits of Taking Online Classes As A Disabled Person

Two years ago, education changed forever, when most people were forced to take online classes due to a global pandemic. I know this was a hard transition for the world to go through. There are significant benefits to taking online classes.

1. Flexibility: Taking online classes allows for an increase in flexibility. Especially when your classes are asynchronous, meaning you do not need to go to live lectures. If something comes up and you are unable to do your work, one day if you get it done by the due date it’s not a big deal. Since your classes are online, if you have Wi-Fi, you can do it wherever you are. This is incredibly beneficial, especially when you encounter unforeseen circumstances. If your mobility aids are getting fixed or are broken, you don’t have to worry about missing class. If you have an appointment with a specialist that you’re not able to get into easily you don’t have to worry about missing class either.

2. No need for extra time. Another benefit is not needing extra time on tests. This is especially helpful for my fellow friends with learning disabilities who need extra time due to processing speed. All my classes taken in my degree have unlimited time on their tests and quizzes. As a graduate student with intense testing, this takes a lot of the pressure off.

3. Office hours are online. Given the fact that classes are online, that means office hours are also online. For people who cannot drive or live far away from campus, this can be extremely helpful. All you must do is log on to your computer and meet with your professor. You don’t have to worry about whether or not the office is accessible or how you will get there.

4. The ability to go look back at video lectures. No need to worry about your memory of what a lecture was about you can easily go back and listen to the lecture because they are posted within the modules. A part you don’t understand as many times as you would like. This also makes it easier to take notes. Disabled people struggle with keeping up with notes in person. with notes in person. You’re like me; you are so focused on taking notes that you don’t even remember any of the actual lectures. Sometimes if a professor talks too fast, I can’t really process what they’re saying. This is where video lectures come in handy you can fast forward or rewind in order to help you understand the content.

5. Discussion posts allow for a different form of communication. For the people who tend to have anxiety talking in-class discussion posts make it easier to contribute to the class discussion without the stress of talking in class. This Can also be beneficial to college teams who may be nonverbal or have trouble talking.

6. People who were unable to attend classes in person are now able to attend them virtually from their homes. There are a lot of chronically ill college students who may have not been able to make it to a physical class, but online class gives them the ability to attend class without the hassle of having to be in person.

If you are a disabled person who is debating on going to school online, I hope this blog post will help you make a decision that’s best for you.

Until next time,

Liv