Humanizing OER
Bridging Mental Health and Accessibility in Education
Welcome back to the OERganic newsletter! Since our last edition, I've been reflecting deeply on the journey of humanizing educational resources and processes. As many of you know, my mission goes beyond making education affordable and accessible—it's about creating a supportive, inclusive, and empathetic environment for all.
Lately, I've been navigating the complexities of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) process at my workplace to get the right accommodations for my mental health. This experience has highlighted the need for more human-centered approaches in every aspect of our professional lives. The process has felt less supportive and more like a series of hurdles designed to box me into a rigid framework. It has been a poignant reminder of why our work in OER is so crucial.
Struggling with Mental Health
Living with Bipolar Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Attention Deficit Disorder presents daily challenges that affect both my professional and personal life. Currently, I'm working with behavioral health doctors through my employer's health insurance. While the initial visits cost $10, I recently faced a paywall of $140 to keep an appointment with my medication management doctor, with no way to contact my provider directly. As I write this, my therapy appointment paywall is $278 for my session tomorrow. I am still figuring out my medication, which is an experimental process.
To help maintain and manage my bipolar symptoms and fluctuations, I have adopted a small dog that I am training as my psychiatric service animal. Additionally, while I already have a flexible hybrid schedule, a more adaptive work/life balance would better meet my needs. These support systems are crucial for my well-being and enable me to perform my essential job functions as the OER librarian, which require a high level of organization, creativity, and adaptability—traits that are often in flux due to my mental health conditions.
For years, I have worked in various educational settings—public education, professional education, and now higher education—without the correct diagnosis, medication, or support. I am ready to be seen as a whole person, to receive the necessary support, and to thrive both at work and in life.
Navigating the ADA Process
The ADA process has been an eye-opener. Despite its intention to support, the process often seems geared towards physical disabilities, with little consideration for mental health. My experience has been one of micromanagement, wrapped in a veneer of help, but often ending in "no, we can't help with that." ADA laws are complex and sometimes lack specific guidelines for mental and unseen disabilities. Navigating these laws can be challenging, and it appears that the interpretation and application of these laws by employers may result in a series of rigorous steps for employees seeking accommodations.
I had hoped that providing detailed research and extensive explanations about my condition and the accommodations I need would be enough. Instead, I was asked to fit all this nuance into rigid forms, making the process feel more like a bureaucratic exercise than a genuine attempt to understand and accommodate my needs. Being seen and heard as a human being should not be this challenging.
Humanizing OER
My experiences with mental health deeply influence my approach to OER. I believe in making OER accessible and inclusive for all students, including those with mental health challenges. This involves using inclusive language, offering flexible deadlines, and providing diverse content that reflects a variety of perspectives and experiences.
In my role, I work closely with faculty to break down barriers in education and knowledge, ensuring that courses are human-centered and communicate a culture of care. It is heartbreaking that while I strive to humanize education for others, I often feel like just another number in my own workplace. Humanizing processes means more than face-to-face interactions—it means understanding, empathy, and flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Education should be a human-centered endeavor in all its aspects. As we continue our work in OER, let's strive to create environments that support mental health and inclusivity. I invite you all to share your feedback and personal stories, as your experiences are invaluable in shaping a more empathetic and supportive educational landscape.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make education more accessible, inclusive, and human for everyone.
In this article, "we" and "us" refer collectively to myself, individuals engaged in work related to Open Educational Resources (OER) or Open Pedagogy, and subscribers who have chosen to engage with this content. Our shared commitment to advancing open education practices unites us in this discourse.
It is important to note that the thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and contributors. They do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of our respective employers. The perspectives provided are based on personal experiences and professional insights into the field of open education.
Edited Friday, June 28th, 2024.