Has anyone that has experienced discrimination due to disability at your University made a formal complaint (either via lawsuit or external mediation involving a lawyer)? In my case, the internal complaints did nothing to help as they all closed ranks. I have a pro-bono lawyer who has assessed my case to be very legitimate and suing the University is one of the options we are considering. Of course once the complaint is lodged with the courts, there is an opportunity for a mediation prior to it going for hearing in the court.

My question is has anyone experienced discrimination to the point where you had to seek external help? What has happened after that? I worry that this might make my advisors refuse to supervise me and I am aware that it is not possible to complete a PhD without supervisors. Other supervisors are not working in the same area.

I also worry that later in future they will continue to discriminate me, but just in ways that are not strong enough to be taken to the courts. Also, since they have already closed ranks, they can always assess my work to be poor regardless of its merits and I would have no one to turn to for support.

But if I do not complain, there really is no other option for me.

Please share your experience here.

Thank you.

i can't say much about the discrimination thing, but i can say something encouraging about having a supervisor outside one's area. this happened to me as i changed supervisor in the 3rd year, also problems, also closing ranks and also had my work discredited, the usual nasty stuff. but i eventually had a supervisor outside my area, finished my phd with an extension, very minor corrections and a happy external. it can sort out and with a lawyer you're in a much stronger position, especially because you say your case is legitimate. not all academics are the same, it might look very closed, but there's also an 'outside' and other academics might know that what's going is wrong, but maybe can't say anything bc of pressures etc.
good luck with all, let us know how it goes.

Before getting the Courts involved, have a look at http://www.oiahe.org.uk/ not sure how good they are but the Courts would normally have wanted you to consider all other avenues first.

Hi csoul

I am also a PhD student registered with the student disability center due to physical disability. It takes a lot of courage to do what you did and to stand your ground when you realize that someone is treating you differently due to some criteria that is irrelevant to your academic performance. So first of all you are doing the right thing by standing your ground.
I had a situation where a professor discriminated against me in grading due to medical absences despite the fact that I had an official letter from the student disability office stating that I am a student with disability and that treating a student with disability differently is a discrimination. The rules at our university state that a student with disability is allowed to be absent for 6 classes with no penalty.
This professor basically ignored that despite the fact that I had a conversation with her before our first class as required from students with disability to do. During my meeting I explained to her my situation and that I am going to do my best not to be absent. I did indeed schedule all my medical appointments on days other than the days when I have classes. But she had unrealistic expectations from me, (I am an A student and came to the program with excellent recommendations) which I am not responsible for.
I`ve considered talking to her about her grading but right now I am putting this off as I am waiting for the results of my qualifying exam first.
In your case, if you made a formal complaint, you will have the right for an attorney to be present with you and I suggest first to talk to the professor or official who contributed towards the discrimination. Each university is different and office politics do play a part in handling these situations. The main question for you to answer is what is your ultimate goal from this procedure?. What do you really want?.
In my case it is just a different between A and B. For me as an A student it is not easy to see a B on my transcript but I weighted different alternatives and what is most important for me. On the PhD level, grades dont play major role and in fact later no school looks at faculty grades as much as they examine her/his dissertation and ability to receive funding.
You may like to consider what are the most important factors for you in this situation and make your decision accordingly. Good luck.