Blair Curtis, a University of New Brunswick law graduate, experienced humiliation during his graduation ceremony due to accessibility issues. Despite submitting a form in December indicating that he uses a wheelchair and a service dog, Curtis was not able to cross the stage during the ceremony. He was informed in March that an accessible ramp would be provided, but when he tested it two days before the ceremony, he found it was too steep to wheel up on his own. As a result, the university offered Curtis three options: stay at the back of the stage, have someone push him, or receive his degree from the floor. He ultimately chose to cross the floor on his own to maintain his independence, though it made him less visible to the audience.
Mindy Parsons, Curtis’ friend and fellow graduate, expressed disappointment that they were unable to see him cross the stage and had to watch on monitors instead. The university spokesperson, Natasha Ashfield, stated that several accommodation options were presented to Curtis and the accommodation plan was developed in consultation with him. However, Curtis recalls being given three options and feeling pressured to choose one rather than being truly consulted. The university also claimed that Curtis’ concerns were only brought to their attention after the CBC story aired on May 17, despite Curtis stating that he raised his concerns multiple times before and after the ceremony.
Curtis is not only upset about his own experience but also concerned about the impact on other disabled students watching the ceremony who may have wanted to see a disabled student cross the stage. He believes that the university could have handled the situation better and provided a more inclusive and accessible environment for all graduates. Curtis has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a progressive syndrome, which made maintaining his independence even more crucial for him. Despite the university’s response that they consulted with him and presented various accommodation options, Curtis feels that he was not adequately included in the decision-making process.
In the end, Curtis decided to cross the floor on his own during the graduation ceremony, bypassing the stage due to accessibility issues with the ramp provided by the university. His experience highlights the importance of creating accessible and inclusive environments for all individuals, including those with disabilities. Curtis hopes that by speaking out about his experience, he can draw attention to the need for better accommodation and support for disabled students in educational institutions. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing and fully participating in various aspects of society.
