Texas A&M Disability Services Changes Name To Disability Resources

Disability Services at Texas A&M University will change its name to Disability Resources effective Oct. 1. The name change is a reflection of a renewed focus of the department on collaborating with faculty, staff and students to provide an accessible educational experience for students with disabilities on campus.

“We envision a campus community where students with disabilities are equal members without barriers,” Disability Resources Director Kristie Orr said. “This name change is the next step of an evolution at Texas A&M University as we work toward a campus environment where disability is seen as a valued aspect of diversity.”

Why change one word?

• The word “services” reflects a medical or charity model. Services are typically something that is done to you rather than with you.
• In support of the department’s vision of less need for accommodations and more inclusive and universally designed educational experiences, Disability Resources aspires to be a resource to faculty, students and staff in achieving access for disabled students.
• Disability Resources continues to support disability identity.
• Similar groups at colleges and universities across the country that provide exceptional support to disabled students are named “Disability Resources” or “the Disability Resource Center.”

Disability Resources offers accommodations coordination, evaluation referral, disability-related information, assistive technology services, and sign language interpreting and transcription services for academic-related purposes.

The Disability Resources staff applies the following guiding principles:

• Equity — Access is achieved only when all students can fully participate in the educational opportunities, activities, and services offered by Texas A&M.
• Collaboration — Access happens when individuals from across campus come together to meet the needs of a diverse community of learners.
• Excellence — Disability Resources strives to establish best practices through leadership in addressing barriers to access and furthering the global conversation on disability in higher education.

Disability Resources offices are located in the student services complex in the White Creek area of West Campus, but will move back to the center of campus when the new Student Services Building* opens in spring 2020.

Learn more at the Disability Resources website or call 979-845-1637.

For information on how to support Disability Resources at Texas A&M University, contact Megan Pulliam, director of development, at mpulliam@txamfoundation.com or call 979-458-1689.

Disability Resources is part of the Division of Student Affairs.

* This link is no longer active and has been removed.