The Department of Disability Resources Is Facing a Surge in Demand for Services. What’s Needed to Fill the Gap?

Whisenant is not alone. During fall 2024, Texas A&M University’s Department of Disability Resources served nearly 6,000 students—almost 8% of the student body. Most of these students have invisible disabilities like Whisenant, such as learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or neurodivergence like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.

For some students, accommodation needs are as simple as use of the campus testing center, where they can take tests and quizzes in a low-stimulation environment with more time or assistive technology. For others, accommodation includes access to alternative formats for course materials; technology to support reading, writing and note-taking; sign-language interpreting and transcription; or skills seminars for neurodiverse students.

“We want all students to be equal members without barriers so that they can achieve anything they want,” said Justin Romack ’24, assistant director of the department. “I believe that our students deserve equal access and that our campus is capable of it.”

The Department of Disability Resources has been part of the university for more than 50 years, but demand for services has increased exponentially over the last few years for several reasons.

As more students are diagnosed earlier, like Whisenant, they have access to accommodations that make academic success possible in the K-12 setting. College, especially at an elite institution like Texas A&M, might have been previously out of reach for these students.

Another factor is more sophisticated technology. “Technology is a huge equalizer for people with disabilities,” said Dr. Kristie Orr ’91 ’03, who has directed the department for 14 years. She offered a nearby example in her colleague. “Justin is blind. He couldn’t do his job without adaptive technology. A big piece of what we do is securing the right technology for students.”
 

Orr is thankful that an additional testing center will open on West Campus this fall, which will not only alleviate the overcrowding in the current testing center—where last year more than 30,000 tests were administered—but also add convenience for students on that side of campus. The new testing center will be in the former Business Library and Collaboration Commons, but the space needs about $2.6 million in renovations before it is operational.

Orr reports that the increase in use of disability resource services reflects nationwide trends. “We are seeing more students with autoimmune disorders, diabetes, autism and more kinds of chronic health conditions that impact the college experience,” she said. The increase in demand has been difficult to manage for Orr’s small staff, who are stretched thin serving thousands of students with a diversity of needs in addition to working directly with faculty to improve accessibility.

While there are legal and reputational ramifications associated with unmet needs in accessibility, that’s not what’s really at stake, said Whisenant. “When students can’t get the services they need, the Aggie experience is at risk,” he explained. “Texas A&M graduates are contributing to society and to the world. We inhibit the future by not providing the best resources for all students to succeed.”