Jerry Mitchell’s offensive and misinformed editorial about early registration for students with disabilities that appeared in the Clarion on April 4 warrants a strong response.

Mr. Mitchell’s opinions reflect a profound disregard for his fellow students.B His characterization of students with disabilities as “drugged up kids” who manipulate systems to “get everything they want in life” completely ignores the fact that these students struggle with real obstacles to complete their coursework and reach their goals.

“Reasonable accommodations,” such as early registration, are afforded to students with disabilities to help level a scientifically proven uneven playing field, and attempt to give each student the opportunity to reach his or her potential.

Instead of embracing rational facts, Mr. Mitchell reverts to name-calling and scapegoating.B His blatantly disrespectful and pejorative comments create, contribute to and sustain an atmosphere of intolerance on this campus and in our society.

Mr. Mitchell states that he wants someone else to fix this “problem” by refusing to “come to any stupid meetings” or, unlike most students with disabilities, taking personal responsibility for his struggles.

We suspect Mr. Mitchell could learn a lot from students with disabilities.

The University of Denver

Counseling and Behavioral

Health Center Staff