One of the things I’ve tried to do this semester is have regular check-ins with my professors and the accessibility office. They don’t have to be long or deep. I just talk about which assignments I’m working on, areas I’m struggling, and what kind of coping strategies I’m using. This allows them to see that I’m putting in the work, builds rapport, and gives them an opportunity to correct things I’ve misunderstood or offer suggestions based on the challenges I describe.
The rapport also helps when I encounter problems I need assistance with, such as a presentation that I need to narrate when I am having a can’t-make-words-with-my-mouth day. I can reply to the email thread with the professor and ask if using AAC is acceptable as a substitute, and since they know how hard I’m working to succeed despite the challenges I face, they’re usually able to work with me to get things done.
Building these relationships is something I have to work at. I’ve done psychological research on how to build rapport in these kinds of social contexts. It doesn’t come naturally to me, and wouldn’t have occurred to me to try in the past. But so far it has made a difference. I plan to keep it up.