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Introduction

Accessibility means ensuring that students with disabilities have full access to everything the college offers. With some 21 percent of undergraduates identifying themselves as having a disability, accessibility must be a shared responsibility for everyone. This guide identifies key academic environments and provides role-based resources to help every employee contribute to an inclusive campus.

Let us take a brief look at all the ways accessibility plays a part on campus:

**Accessibility Categories and Primary Responsibility**
Accessibility Category	Description	Primary Responsibility
Physical Accessibility	Safe and independent navigation of buildings, classrooms, and transportation.	Facilities, Campus Planning, ADA Coordinator
Communication Accessibility	Interpreters, captioning, Braille, and tactile communication.	DSPS, Communications
Digital Accessibility	Accessible online courses, websites, and documents.	IT, Web Teams, Instructional Design, Faculty
Programmatic Accessibility	Barrier-free policies, procedures, and academic programs.	Department Leadership, Student Affairs, Registrar
Attitudinal Accessibility	Inclusive culture and bias reduction.	Human Resources, DEI Offices

Accessibility is for Everyone

College students with disabilities are simply: students. They may have diverse ways of communicating, unique methods for performing academic tasks, various assistive technologies to support their learning, and specific adjustments or accommodations designed to help them navigate campus life with greater ease.

Ultimately, accessibility is a shared responsibility across the entire campus. As an employee, you may need to do things a little differently when interacting with students with disabilities, however, the heart of the interaction remains unchanged. Students come to you for educational resources and support, and your job is to help them succeed.

All Employees Can Support Students with Disabilities

Communicate clearly and respectfully. Ask before assisting and follow the student’s lead.
Provide information in accessible formats, including captioned media and readable documents.
Avoid assumptions about a student’s abilities.
Maintain accessible spaces and clear pathways.
Promote inclusive peer interactions.
Partner early with DSPS.
Protect confidentiality of disability-related information.
Refer students to DSPS promptly when barriers arise.

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