Ariana Chuback, 2021

Ariana Chuback (she/her) interviews from New York City with Rebecca Sime Nagasawa. She explains that she “never really put any thought into being Disabled,” and struggled with claiming it as an identity even after registering with CARDS for accommodations and support for her test anxiety. Ariana describes a transformation in how she discussed her accommodations with professors, initially “[operating] as an inconvenience” to now, thanks to some support from a friend, recognizing and exercising her accommodations as her right. She also mentioned an unofficial Facebook group for and by CARDS students that shared information about how professors fulfilled (or were “difficult” about) accommodations. The pandemic and virtual learning helped Ariana realize she has an attention disorder, and she mentioned the process for diagnosis and medication. Lastly, Ariana explains that she wishes she had known she was “allowed to take space,” and mentions that definitions of disability should be broadened. In response, Rebecca discusses how disability can/should be seen as a spectrum, and talks about disability identity as something to “figure out” and “make friends with.”