The University of Delaware's Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) joined the Division of Student Life on July 1, making DSS the 13th unit under Vice President for Student Life, José-Luis Riera. In keeping with the division’s commitment to student success, DSS provides services to students with disabilities, as well as staff and visitors, to ensure accessibility to University classes and programs. DSS offers information and services related to accommodations and disability, assistive technology (AT), and interpreter services for academic purposes.

The services that are offered through DSS are confidential and are individualized to a person’s specific needs. Interim director and University ADA compliance coordinator Elizabeth Reed stressed the importance of remembering that two people with the same disability can have completely different profiles. If a specific accommodation is not working for a student, Reed said, “We try to figure out what we can do to make it work. We are pretty creative here.”

The DSS testing center has been expanded to accommodate the students. Reed estimated that DSS proctors about 10,000 exams each year. To support the amount of students, staff and visitors that are utilizing services, DSS has seven full time employees, one part-time employee, two graduate assistants, 6-8 student workers, nine proctors in the DSS testing center and a contact at each of UD’s other campuses.

“We are excited to welcome DSS to the division,” said Adam Cantley, dean of students. “They are committed to student success and belonging at UD. They have been a strong campus partner for years and are a natural fit with the Division of Student Life.”