Highlights 1. Received a $125,000 gift from a current USD family to acknowledge the quality of care and service they received. 2. Welcomed a new director and coordinator of disability services as a result of two national searches.
Disability Services What We Do Disability Services provides meaningful academic assistance to USD students with documented disabilities. We also serve the broader university community by raising awareness of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. We facilitate dialogue about issues of diversity and inclusion and promote respect for the unique needs, challenges, strengths and contributions of community members.
2011-2012 Results 1. Registered a record number of students (395) or 5.75% of the undergraduate population. This is a 14% increase over 2010-11 (346). 2. Hired 297 note takers for 365 academic courses, which represents a 21% increase from the previous academic year. 3. Proctored a record 1,709 exams this past year. 4. A notable trend is the number of students selfidentifying with psychiatric disabilities, 53 in 2011-12 up from 36 the previous year. 5. The most common disability registered with the office is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (44%). The second most common is Learning Disabilities (25%).
2012-2013 Goals 1. Continue a process of review and internal assessment of Disability Services procedures, processes, and services. This assessment will help guide the direction of the unit and offer data regarding the effectiveness of the unit’s work. 2. Develop an implementation plan to utilize the monetary gift received this year. The plan will include creating a vision for the future, enhancing student support (via technology updates and initiatives), and enhancing the unit’s capacity to provide resources to the campus community (creation of digital and web-based educational tools). 3. Integrate a new staff member (coordinator of disability services) and enhance service delivery to students.