Helen Rottier
@helenrottier.bsky.social
PhD in Disability Studies. Disabled Dis-Epistemologies and Knowledge Production. Opinions are my own. she/her
Reposted by Helen Rottier
All I want for Christmas is for everyone to begin using the Oxford comma.
November 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
All I want for Christmas is for everyone to begin using the Oxford comma.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
What we are seeing here, to me anyway, is the end result of the commodification and gamification of education.
This is not a "students today" post--it's more "this is a new form of dysfunction" that doesn't look exactly like it's been in previous decades. It's more than just "first-year chaos." It's an across-the-board inability to process instructions, engage with longer texts, and *connect* with others.
November 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
What we are seeing here, to me anyway, is the end result of the commodification and gamification of education.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Look around. The case for more, not less, liberal arts education - actual, real education in reading, writing, thinking, arguing, analyzing, & synthesizing by doing the actual hard work for which there is no substitute - is stronger than it’s ever been at any point in human history.
November 30, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Look around. The case for more, not less, liberal arts education - actual, real education in reading, writing, thinking, arguing, analyzing, & synthesizing by doing the actual hard work for which there is no substitute - is stronger than it’s ever been at any point in human history.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
My oldest child, 5 minutes into A Muppet Christmas Carol, extremely suspiciously: “Heyyyyyyyy wait I know these monsters…”
Idk what about “Muppet” in the title and also every other viewing of this movie wouldn’t indicate that we would be seeing familiar characters but here we are lol
Idk what about “Muppet” in the title and also every other viewing of this movie wouldn’t indicate that we would be seeing familiar characters but here we are lol
November 30, 2025 at 3:06 AM
My oldest child, 5 minutes into A Muppet Christmas Carol, extremely suspiciously: “Heyyyyyyyy wait I know these monsters…”
Idk what about “Muppet” in the title and also every other viewing of this movie wouldn’t indicate that we would be seeing familiar characters but here we are lol
Idk what about “Muppet” in the title and also every other viewing of this movie wouldn’t indicate that we would be seeing familiar characters but here we are lol
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Autistic and other disabled people have always been and likely will always be part of our societies, and are valuable human beings who deserve unqualified love, acceptance, and access to supports. Truth from an older article, since I don't write so much anymore:
www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
My Autistic Son Needs 24/7 Support. And That's OK.
We have a good life, because we stopped buying into mainstream notions about what happy families look like.
www.buzzfeed.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Autistic and other disabled people have always been and likely will always be part of our societies, and are valuable human beings who deserve unqualified love, acceptance, and access to supports. Truth from an older article, since I don't write so much anymore:
www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Today is the anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Not only did the law literally open doors to countless students with disabilities (myself included), it also had the unintended consequence of creating the moral panic around an autism "epidemic." 🧵 1/
November 30, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Today is the anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Not only did the law literally open doors to countless students with disabilities (myself included), it also had the unintended consequence of creating the moral panic around an autism "epidemic." 🧵 1/
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Watched the 2024 Wicked for the first time tonight…wow, those last 45 minutes or so really bring it home.
Also, it is really not subtle about the mechanisms of scapegoating and fascism. And not being subtle there is good, especially in a moment such as this.
Also, it is really not subtle about the mechanisms of scapegoating and fascism. And not being subtle there is good, especially in a moment such as this.
November 30, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Watched the 2024 Wicked for the first time tonight…wow, those last 45 minutes or so really bring it home.
Also, it is really not subtle about the mechanisms of scapegoating and fascism. And not being subtle there is good, especially in a moment such as this.
Also, it is really not subtle about the mechanisms of scapegoating and fascism. And not being subtle there is good, especially in a moment such as this.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Gift 🎁 link.
Research demonstrates that vaccines can reduce the risk of cancer, dementia & heart conditions, as well as risk of acute disease.
Have you been vaccinated against HPV, shingles, hepatitis B, flu, covid, RSV, meningitis, & pneumonia? If you're eligible, get them now.
wapo.st/4p7cDsj
Research demonstrates that vaccines can reduce the risk of cancer, dementia & heart conditions, as well as risk of acute disease.
Have you been vaccinated against HPV, shingles, hepatitis B, flu, covid, RSV, meningitis, & pneumonia? If you're eligible, get them now.
wapo.st/4p7cDsj
The common vaccines that can prevent chronic disease or some cancers
In addition to cancer, a growing body of research has shown that vaccines can reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart conditions.
wapo.st
November 30, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Gift 🎁 link.
Research demonstrates that vaccines can reduce the risk of cancer, dementia & heart conditions, as well as risk of acute disease.
Have you been vaccinated against HPV, shingles, hepatitis B, flu, covid, RSV, meningitis, & pneumonia? If you're eligible, get them now.
wapo.st/4p7cDsj
Research demonstrates that vaccines can reduce the risk of cancer, dementia & heart conditions, as well as risk of acute disease.
Have you been vaccinated against HPV, shingles, hepatitis B, flu, covid, RSV, meningitis, & pneumonia? If you're eligible, get them now.
wapo.st/4p7cDsj
Reposted by Helen Rottier
9000 words down, somewhere around 30,000 words to go.
This weekend I will be locking myself away to work on Chapter 1, which will be a highlight reel of animals commonly found in north American cities.
This weekend I will be locking myself away to work on Chapter 1, which will be a highlight reel of animals commonly found in north American cities.
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
November 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
9000 words down, somewhere around 30,000 words to go.
This weekend I will be locking myself away to work on Chapter 1, which will be a highlight reel of animals commonly found in north American cities.
This weekend I will be locking myself away to work on Chapter 1, which will be a highlight reel of animals commonly found in north American cities.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
For the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, I spoke with advocates about how this law is crucial–and the ways in which disability education can be made better as its under attack from the Trump administration at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This disability education law turned 50 today. Disability advocates want more.
"Our civil rights are not up for negotiations," Rep. Lateefah Simon said.
www.motherjones.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
For the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, I spoke with advocates about how this law is crucial–and the ways in which disability education can be made better as its under attack from the Trump administration at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Helen Rottier
One predicaments Julia touches on here: IDEA remains an unfulfilled promise, the government has never fully funded it. And yet, it is constantly under assault. So advocates are always torn between defending the status quo and wanting to grow it.
For the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, I spoke with advocates about how this law is crucial–and the ways in which disability education can be made better as its under attack from the Trump administration at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This disability education law turned 50 today. Disability advocates want more.
"Our civil rights are not up for negotiations," Rep. Lateefah Simon said.
www.motherjones.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:35 AM
One predicaments Julia touches on here: IDEA remains an unfulfilled promise, the government has never fully funded it. And yet, it is constantly under assault. So advocates are always torn between defending the status quo and wanting to grow it.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
I was telling Emmy how I can't figure out why the idea of recording this lecture has left me so exhausted. It's written! It has actual musical accompaniment. In the middle there's a rant about an historian I don't like. It has a fun story about Good Night Irene!
November 30, 2025 at 4:40 AM
I was telling Emmy how I can't figure out why the idea of recording this lecture has left me so exhausted. It's written! It has actual musical accompaniment. In the middle there's a rant about an historian I don't like. It has a fun story about Good Night Irene!
I’m snowed in over a long weekend, it is dark for most of the day, and I just ate tons of food with my family. Every minute, I am closer to my dream of hibernation. 🐻
November 30, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I’m snowed in over a long weekend, it is dark for most of the day, and I just ate tons of food with my family. Every minute, I am closer to my dream of hibernation. 🐻
Reposted by Helen Rottier
If universities would prioritize smaller classes and fewer bells and whistles like third-party technology contracts, a significantly bigger number of PhDs would find a position in higher education.
November 29, 2025 at 1:47 AM
If universities would prioritize smaller classes and fewer bells and whistles like third-party technology contracts, a significantly bigger number of PhDs would find a position in higher education.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Then why use gAI images?
If stock images exist, what even is the point of AI generated images?
Models, photographers and artists are at least paid (even if it’s not much) for stock images. This is not the case with AI generated images.
If stock images exist, what even is the point of AI generated images?
Models, photographers and artists are at least paid (even if it’s not much) for stock images. This is not the case with AI generated images.
I still don't see how that's different than stock images, though.
Those are also zero-effort and cheap, but they don't seem to provoke the same malice.
Those are also zero-effort and cheap, but they don't seem to provoke the same malice.
November 29, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Then why use gAI images?
If stock images exist, what even is the point of AI generated images?
Models, photographers and artists are at least paid (even if it’s not much) for stock images. This is not the case with AI generated images.
If stock images exist, what even is the point of AI generated images?
Models, photographers and artists are at least paid (even if it’s not much) for stock images. This is not the case with AI generated images.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Moving ahead, I think we in the academy need to push back against students refusing to read our syllabi or turn in assignments or engage with basic material with poor grades/failing. I'm tired of bending over backwards for students who should not be in college. I'm there for those who are.
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 29, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Moving ahead, I think we in the academy need to push back against students refusing to read our syllabi or turn in assignments or engage with basic material with poor grades/failing. I'm tired of bending over backwards for students who should not be in college. I'm there for those who are.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
my gift guide is you should buy cool stuff created by cool people on bluesky.
buy their books, their art, their old-school zines, their music, their nut mixes, a membership to their patreon, their off-kilter tote bags, etc.
(and if you have a thing people should buy, post it! right now!)
buy their books, their art, their old-school zines, their music, their nut mixes, a membership to their patreon, their off-kilter tote bags, etc.
(and if you have a thing people should buy, post it! right now!)
November 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
my gift guide is you should buy cool stuff created by cool people on bluesky.
buy their books, their art, their old-school zines, their music, their nut mixes, a membership to their patreon, their off-kilter tote bags, etc.
(and if you have a thing people should buy, post it! right now!)
buy their books, their art, their old-school zines, their music, their nut mixes, a membership to their patreon, their off-kilter tote bags, etc.
(and if you have a thing people should buy, post it! right now!)
My most-used words on BlueSky in 2025:
1. "disability" (48×)
2. "education" (45×)
3. "students" (44×)
4. "dissertation" (44×)
5. "autistic" (32×)
anisota.net/harvest
1. "disability" (48×)
2. "education" (45×)
3. "students" (44×)
4. "dissertation" (44×)
5. "autistic" (32×)
anisota.net/harvest
Anisota's Annual Bluesky Harvest 2025
A recap of your year on Bluesky. Discover patterns, connections, and insights from your journey in the ATmosphere.
anisota.net
November 29, 2025 at 5:18 AM
My most-used words on BlueSky in 2025:
1. "disability" (48×)
2. "education" (45×)
3. "students" (44×)
4. "dissertation" (44×)
5. "autistic" (32×)
anisota.net/harvest
1. "disability" (48×)
2. "education" (45×)
3. "students" (44×)
4. "dissertation" (44×)
5. "autistic" (32×)
anisota.net/harvest
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Please remember: When we remind people that “there is NO evidence linking vaccines to autism” without adding “and fear of autism hurts autistics,” then we’re actually contributing to negative stereotypes about autism & autistic people. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/bust... #VaccinesWork
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/bust... #VaccinesWork
November 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Please remember: When we remind people that “there is NO evidence linking vaccines to autism” without adding “and fear of autism hurts autistics,” then we’re actually contributing to negative stereotypes about autism & autistic people. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/bust... #VaccinesWork
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/bust... #VaccinesWork
Reposted by Helen Rottier
First big snow of the season starts overnight, 8-13 inches ❄️
November 29, 2025 at 4:18 AM
First big snow of the season starts overnight, 8-13 inches ❄️
Reposted by Helen Rottier
4
What could you use right now?
1. fort made of books
2. wine & free time
3. curly fries & cash
4. thousand year nap
1. fort made of books
2. wine & free time
3. curly fries & cash
4. thousand year nap
November 29, 2025 at 4:22 AM
4
Reposted by Helen Rottier
That dopamine hit you get, when someone cites one of your scientific papers. 💅🏼
November 29, 2025 at 4:23 AM
That dopamine hit you get, when someone cites one of your scientific papers. 💅🏼
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Been thinking a lot about how the pandemic fundamentally broke our brains and our collective response; in a way it reminds me of the frenzied excess of the 1920s as people reeled from WWI and the influenza pandemic, and the hard fall we took at the end of that decade is coming for us this time too.
November 29, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Been thinking a lot about how the pandemic fundamentally broke our brains and our collective response; in a way it reminds me of the frenzied excess of the 1920s as people reeled from WWI and the influenza pandemic, and the hard fall we took at the end of that decade is coming for us this time too.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
[observing someone’s obsessive passion project] wow i really like whatever’s wrong with that guy
November 28, 2025 at 11:40 PM
[observing someone’s obsessive passion project] wow i really like whatever’s wrong with that guy
Reposted by Helen Rottier
A university called Northwestern should have a compass.
BREAKING: Northwestern University has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million, over the course of three years as part of an agreement with the federal government to restore funding and end investigations into the university
Full statement from NU below:
Full statement from NU below:
November 29, 2025 at 1:27 AM
A university called Northwestern should have a compass.