Most students are supportive of students with disabilities, despite the fact that many have never been exposed to someone who is disabled, a panel discussion concluded Tuesday night. However, there is room for better individual attitudes regarding those who are disabled, the group of about 12 students said.

Notre Dame sophomore Laura Hoffman led the discussion. The discussion coincided with National Disabilities Week, which began on Monday and continues until this coming Saturday. The goal of the talks centered on increasing Disability Awareness at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's through continuous dialogue with the community. The group discussion questioned if accommodations for the disabled that the University provides are adequate, involve interaction with professors and promote a social environment for disabled students. Most of the sentiment was positive when the panel discussed Notre Dame's accommodation of disabled individuals.

"Accessibility at Notre Dame is great," Notre Dame freshman John Walsh said. "Professors have been very accommodating to my disability." However, not everyone is as optimistic about campus attitudes towards disabled students.

"Some professors look down upon on those who have a disability because they think they are abusing the system to their advantage, which is not true," freshman Martha Fulcher said.

"People can accuse you of faking if your disability is not necessarily visible, but as someone who is disabled you have to be truthful, blunt, and honest as possible," Walsh said.

"People can be scared of people with disabilities," Saint Mary's sophomore Sara Mahoney said. "You have to be sensitive to these issues." When the topic of increasing disability awareness was brought up in the discussion, many panel participants said educating individuals with disabilities is difficult in college.

"Education [on the disabled] at a young age would help," said Fulcher. Hoffman ended the forum by sharing her perceptions of the disabled community at Notre Dame.

"A lot of people in the Notre Dame community are afraid to talk about their disabilities," Hoffman said. "To talk about it breaks down barriers." Hoffman said the forum would provide disabled students who are not always visible a voice expressing their concerns.

"Disabilities are a big part of diversity with the Notre Dame community, However most people do not know there is even a disabilities office at Notre Dame."

• Eldred addresses student concerns
  
• Forum explores student disabilities