How University Counseling Centers Serve Students with Disabilities

Abstract

The mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) apply to mental health professionals employed in university counseling centers. Therefore, examining the services counseling centers provide to students with disabilities seems timely and appropriate. University counseling center directors in North America and members of the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors (N = 270) were surveyed regarding services provided to students with disabilities. Given the requirements of the ADA, many counseling centers adapted their services and facilities. Based on the data collected, four recommendations are made to improve services for students with disabilities: (a) ask clients directly about possible disabilities at intake; (b) train senior staff about relevant disability issues; (c) designate a liaison to the campus disability advocate office; and (d) train senior staff to screen for learning disabilities. Several suggestions for future research are made and the limitations of the study are cited.