Accommodating Success: Examining the Effects of Accessing Accommodations on Degree Completion Among Community College Students With Non-Apparent Disabilities

This study leverages the Texas Statewide Longitudinal Data System to examine the characteristics of community college students with non-apparent disabilities who access disability accommodations, including students with learning disabilities (LD), other health impairments (OHI), emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, it explores the association between accessing accommodations, the timing of initial access, and the completion of certificates, associate degrees, and vertical transfers. The analysis includes eight cohorts of students who graduated from Texas public high schools between the 2006-2007 and 2013-2014 academic years, representing approximately 28,840 students. Findings reveal that students with LD and OHI consistently show a higher likelihood of degree completion and vertical transfers when they access accommodations, regardless of which semester these supports are initially accessed. Conversely, no significant association exists between accessing accommodations and completion outcomes for students with EBD. For students with ASD, those who delay accessing accommodations until their fourth semester or beyond are less likely to complete a degree or transfer. The findings underscore the need for timely and appropriate accommodations to support academic success and highlight the importance of policies and practices that ensure equitable access to these supports.