Affiliations: National Center for the Study of Postsecondary
Educational Supports, Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaii at
Manoa, 1776 University Avenue, UA 4-6, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. Tel.: +1 808
956 9199; Fax: +1 808 956 5713; E-mail: [email protected],
www.rrtc.hawaii.edu
Abstract: As a result of current legislation and labor market trends, the
number of students with disabilities has risen to 17% students attending
postsecondary education programs [42]. It is well documented that students with
disabilities often experience limited access to and success within
postsecondary education programs, which subsequently limits their employment.
Understanding the educational supports and accommodations needed by students
with disabilities to progress and succeed in postsecondary programs appears to
be of critical importance. To address this need, the National Center for the
Study of Postsecondary Educational Supports (NCSPES) at the University of
Hawaii at Manoa completed a national survey of educational support provision.
The focus of this study was on the provision of targeted (types of supports
& frequency of provision) educational supports for students with
disabilities. Survey methods and statistical analyses were used to describe the
range and nature of educational supports provided for students with
disabilities. Specific areas of support provision were explored, including the
role of assistive technology, special learning centers, and the transfer of
supports from educational settings to employment. The findings provide a
national foundation of information regarding the provision of educational
supports for students with disabilities in a diverse range of postsecondary
education settings.
Keywords: postsecondary education, educational support services, higher education, student with disability, assistive technology, survey, frequency of provision
