Included in the chart below is every school that we have read or heard about that might have services for students with physical disabilities which go beyond those mandated by the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA. For example, ADA directs institutions to remove architectural barriers in new and renovation construction and provide such accommodations as notetakers, extra time on tests, individually proctored exams, reading, dictating, typing, and alternative formats, when the need is properly documented. We can assume the schools below have these services as do many other colleges. The services our chart focuses upon are primarily personal and social, but some relate to academic services beyond what the ADA mandates. In some cases, while recommended on one website or another, a college did not appear to have much in the way of services, but we included what we were able to learn about it, anyway. Phone numbers are for disabilities services offices on campus. 

We also think academic rank is as important to students with physical disabilities as it is to anyone else so we indicate where a school ranks in the 2009 U.S. News Best Colleges listing online. (U.S. News divides colleges into National University; Liberal Arts College; University – Masters; and Comprehensive College. Ranking is further broken down by region, then universities in the top half of their categories are ranked numerically, others are placed in third and fourth tiers.) We list here either the numerical rank or tier for each college just as the website (www.usnews.com) does.

If your school makes accommodations we did not know about – let us know! We’ll check it out and add it. And if you are interested in a college, whether listed here or not, assess your own needs and visit it. Talk to students with disabilities on the campus. Larger schools, especially state universities, may have more services available, but smaller ones may be inclined to work with you, too. As the chart shows, older campuses may not be as barrier-free as new construction and some of the country’s best colleges and universities date far back beyond the ADA and must improve accessibility over time.

We hope these charts will help you start your search – and continue the conversation about disability-friendly colleges!

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