Addressing Challenges of Postsecondary Disability Service Provision: A System-Wide Approach

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, substantial legal changes, research advances, and rapidly developing technology have resulted in dramatic changes in the postsecondary disability landscape. As a result, disability service professionals have seen their job duties significantly expand while serving a rapidly increasing and diversifying postsecondary population with disabilities. The current study details the relevant developments of the past 25 years, reviews literature documenting emerging challenges, and provides a case study of the system-wide approach developed by the University System of Georgia to support its disability service professionals during this period of rapid evolution. The services and supports provided by the three independent components (i.e., the Regents Centers for Learning Disorders, the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, and the Regents' Administrative Committee on Accessibility and Disability Services) are described. In addition, the authors describe how the components work in a collaborative way to leverage the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach. The authors close by describing how system-wide approaches or aspects of the University System of Georgia approach could be adopted in other states and settings.