As we gather in Denver this July for AHEAD's 48th Annual Conference, we're convening at one of the most pivotal moments in accessibility services history. The convergence of rising student needs, evolving expectations, and technological possibilities creates an unprecedented opportunity for advancing accessibility services and meeting students with empathy.
The landscape has fundamentally transformed. In 2019-2020, 20.5% of undergraduates and 10.7% of graduate students reported having a disability—representing approximately 3.5 million students nationwide. An increase in students reporting behavioral or emotional conditions—such as depression and ADHD—accounts for much of this growth, with these students making up about 69% of all students reporting disabilities.
Current statistics reflect a generation courageously self-advocating and seeking the support they deserve.
Yet here's the reality: only 37% of students with disabilities actually report their disability to their institution, creating a massive gap between need and support.
Over 60% of students surveyed either have a disability themselves or know someone close to them that does. Almost 80% of both students and professionals believe digital accessibility should be a priority. Students aren't just asking for basic accommodations—they're calling for comprehensive, empathetic, and proactive support that recognizes their full potential.
According to the CDC, over one in four U.S. adults live with a disability. Students today expect institutions to embrace disability as a natural part of human diversity, not as an afterthought requiring special handling.
The data reveals a concerning disconnect. 50% of students and 40% of professionals believe their own institution is not doing enough to support digital accessibility. Meanwhile, 80% of organizations have inclusion strategies, with 79% referencing disability—but only 34% include 'digital accessibility' in that strategy.
Universities face steadily rising demand for accessibility services while navigating familiar challenges: limited budgets, staffing constraints, and supporting increasingly diverse disability presentations.
Perhaps the most critical challenge isn't technological or legal—it's maintaining the human connection that transforms accommodation into genuine support. Students face unique transition challenges, moving from parent advocacy to self-advocacy.
Students need more than efficient processing—they need professionals who understand that requesting accommodations can be vulnerable, that disability identity is complex, and that each student's journey is unique.
Digital solutions like Accommodate present an extraordinary opportunity to scale our empathy, not replace it. When we automate routine processes, we create space for meaningful conversations that change lives. Technology built with inclusivity empowers universities to craft environments that serve all students.
Students with disabilities aren't waiting for perfect systems—they're enrolling in record numbers, self-advocating with unprecedented clarity, and expecting institutions to rise to meet their needs. They deserve accessibility offices equipped with both the tools and the time to provide proactive, empathetic support.
At AHEAD 2025, we have the chance to chart a path forward that honors both the complexity of our work and the dignity of the students we serve. The need has never been greater, and our collective capacity to create change has never been stronger.
The time is now. (And the place is Denver!) Add our lunch and learn to your calendar.
Sources:
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2019-2020 data on postsecondary students with disabilities