An analysis of assistive technology supports and services offered in postsecondary educational institutions

The National Center for the Study of Postsecondary Education Supports (NCSPES) at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa-Center on Disability Studies (CDS) conducted a study that consisted of one survey distributed twice (the second distribution was two years after the first) to a national sample of approximately 1,600 Disability Support Coordinators working in postsecondary educational institutions. The survey focused on the types and frequency of educational supports, accommodations, and services offered to students with disabilities attending two- and four-year postsecondary institutions. This article reports on the findings from two sections of the survey: one, that asked the respondents to address their institutions capacity to offer assistive technology (AT) supports, accommodations, and services as needed by students with disabilities; and another that addressed the availability of distance learning access opportunities. A comparison of findings, over the two-year period, is presented and includes a significant increase in all types of AT supports, accommodations, and services other than AT evaluations; and an increase in the provision of distance learning access opportunities.