The (Modern) History of Disability Services in Higher Education

In a 2000 publication on the history of postsecondary disability services, Madaus detailed seminal historical events in the evolution of the field to that point. He also considered several emerging trends that appeared primed to influence higher education in subsequent years. Nearly 25 years later, many of the noted trends persist, including the expansion of assistive technology supports and a significant and steady increase in the overall numbers of students as well as the range of supported disabilities. New trends also emerged such as the shift in focus from disability supports to campus accessibility, an increase in online instruction and a shift from a compliance and medical-based model to one informed by principles of social justice. This article presents updates related to the history of the field during the past quarter century, leading up to and including the Association of Higher Education and Disability's new Code of Ethics, Professional Competencies, and Program Domains, Standards, and Performance Indicators.