On a progressive college or university campus, we might assume students with disabilities are well served. But, around the county, we often hear a different story. In this program we look to a disabled leader of a local center for answers: What is the role of a campus disability resource center? How can they improve their services? How dedicated are institutions of higher learning to success for a quarter of their students?

Students with disabilities in educational settings have unique and individualized needs that must be addressed to ensure their academic success. These accommodations are crucial for enabling students to thrive in their studies alongside their non-disabled peers. As courses evolve to become universally accessible to all students, the reliance on specific accommodations will diminish. Additionally, it is essential to recognize the importance of disability advocacy and awareness both within the campus community and in broader society when considering the current state of disability. So, how dedicated are institutions of higher learning to a quarter of the demographic?

Offering her insights from the institution side today is Kimberly Starke, Dean of the Disabled Resources Department at Santa Rosa Junior College. Prior to overseeing this department, Kimberly worked with students as a Speech-Language Pathologist and has over 16 years of experience working with the disability community.

This program was hosted and produced by Jacob Stanton with editing assistance from Denny Daughters.

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