alt Hacker NewsA third is about as common as astigmatism in >50 year olds (like me, for instance!) I wear glasses to accommodate this disability, and as a result have nearly no practical problems due to it.
I don't think a problem having a high frequency means that we should decide it doesn't matter or need rectification.
That's true, but astigmatism:
- is clearly defined
- can be measured objectively (with autorefractors, keratometers, corneal topographers)
- can be corrected cheaply ($20 glasses) to eliminate any disadvantage in performance or efficiency
Neurodivergence:
- is not clearly defined
- cannot be measured objectively, and is diagnosed using behavioral observations and cognitive tests
- may rely on 'accommodations' that, in the hands of someone without a diagnosis, would be considered cheating
Imagine I don't have astigmatism. If I were to take your glasses, would they improve my performance in college?
Imagine my legs are fine. If I were to take someone's wheelchair and start using it daily, would that improve my performance in college?
Imagine I am neurotypical. If I were to take 2x the time on a test, would my performance improve?