Perceptions of College Students with Disabilities Regarding Institutional and Disability Services Offices' Response to Sustaining Education During COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Postsecondary institutions across the United States shifted to remote learning during the spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study qualitatively explores responses to a subset of five open-ended questions that were part of a larger national survey of college students with disabilities (Madaus et al., 2021). Student perceptions of institutional and disability service offices' response to remote learning are examined, as well as remote practices students wish to continue when face-to-face instruction resumes. Results indicate communication and continued services from disability services offices were important to students, as well as remote learning preparation, regular communication, and flexible school policies from institutions. With regard to disability service offices, students expressed a desire for virtual meetings and an online accommodation portal when in-person learning resumed. Recommendations for practice and areas for future research are discussed.