NC State’s Disability Resource Office (DRO), part of the Office of Equal Opportunity, advocates for a more welcoming student experience by eliminating unnecessary institutional barriers to ensure equal access to participate in the NC State experience for students with disabilities.
The DRO helps ensure that students with disabilities are provided an equal opportunity to participate in courses and programs by determining appropriate accommodations for students and serving as a resource to faculty in helping them understand their obligation in the provision of approved accommodations. We spoke with Director Mark Newmiller to learn more about the office, its mission and vision, and how the DRO is making the university more accessible to all.
What is the Disability Resource Office’s mission and vision?
NC State’s vision is to be known as a welcoming and supportive community that has a transformative impact on society and advances the greater good. The DRO assists the university in this endeavor by promoting inclusion for students with disabilities in all academic programs, services and university life activities. The DRO collaborates with students, faculty and staff to identify appropriate accommodations and promote a welcoming student experience that facilitates the removal of unnecessary institutional barriers for people with disabilities.
What are the main services that you provide?
The DRO serves as an entry point for students disclosing a disability and as a resource to the campus community in helping them understand their obligation to provide appropriate accommodations. Access Consultants consult and problem-solve with faculty on navigating complex accommodations, offer proctoring services to faculty who need assistance in providing testing accommodations, and address policies that may unintentionally discriminate against the incorporation of students with disabilities.
How does the DRO positively impact the campus community?
The DRO leads collaborations with students, faculty, staff and the campus community to cultivate a universally designed environment where students are viewed on their ability, not disability. We are focused on creating opportunities and experiences that remove the stigma associated with living with a disability and provide students with disabilities the opportunity to develop and grow the skills necessary to advocate for themselves within the campus community and beyond.
What plans does the DRO have for the year? What opportunities will you pursue?
Last year’s reorganization resulted in the DRO moving into the Office of Equal Opportunity. That reorganization offered opportunities to review needs and identify resources to strengthen campus partnerships that support and meet the growing needs of the campus community in its commitment to creating a more welcoming experience. A few priorities are to collaborate with DELTA Testing Services to merge proctoring offices into one encompassing proctoring center, to add additional staffing resources to meet the growing number of students disclosing a disability, and to develop and enhance our education and outreach efforts to educate the campus community.
What is something that people may not know about the DRO?
The commitment to equal access is an institutional responsibility. Ultimately, the responsibility for creating an accessible and welcoming environment lies with every member of the campus community. While the Disability Resource Office plays a crucial role in facilitating this commitment, its primary function is to assist and guide faculty and staff in fulfilling their obligations related to accessibility and involvement.
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