DSS and Accommodations in Higher Education: Perceptions of Students with Psychological Disabilities

The number of individuals with psychological disabilities attending colleges and universities has increased steadily over the last decade. However, students with psychological disabilities are less likely to complete their college programs than their non-disabled peers and peers with other types of disabilities. This qualitative study explored how college students with psychological disabilities utilize assistance provided by Disability Support Services (DSS), including accommodations, in order to reach their postsecondary goals and examined how these students perceived and described the impact of these services. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 16 participants and utilized grounded theory research methods to collect and analyze data. Various themes emerged from the study, including benefits and challenges of using accommodations, the role of DSS on participants' academic experiences, and issues regarding disclosure and stigma.