The Student Disability Service Feels Pressure

Student Disability Services (SDS) on the Ole Miss campus helps thousands of students but is feeling pressure by the increase in enrollment this semester.

Stacey Reycraft, director of the Student Disability Service, says, “ Many students are asking for help but the number is almost overwhelming this semester.” Enrollment this fall is has increased to over 19,500 students, which is a huge increase from last year’s enrollment. This is the biggest enrollment we have had in the University’s history.

The SDS offers many services and aid to those who register and are confirmed with their office. These services include note takers, alternate testing environment, alternate formats of reading materials like books on tape and an audio studio for the reading impaired, assistive computer technology and extended or relaxed time on exams. Also those whose are registered and are verified by the office are eligible to have primary registration each semester. Reycraft said, “ The services most used are note takers and extended time on exams.”

Reycraft explains that without the help of volunteers, some of these services will not be provided. Volunteers are always in need to provide notes to those who need them but this semester the need is even greater. Reycraft says, “Its not that people don’t want to help, most just don’t know how. Our goal this semester is to educate students on these services and get more willing volunteers to help take notes and help students with other services.”

Political Science major Tonya Herron, is registered with the office and is currently receiving help from the Student Disabilities Services. Herron was born with congenital glaucoma and has had many surgeries causing her to be blind in both of her eyes. Tonya finds the SDS a necessity for schooling saying, “With out the services provided, I would not be able to function in a normal university setting. They have truly been a blessing to me.” Tonya has volunteers that walk her to and from class. She has access to software called Kurzweil 1000 and says, “The software lets me scan my class materials so that my computer will basically read them aloud to me.” Tonya and other deserving disabled students would be left in the dark without these aides if the SDS and their volunteers don’t provide the services that are needed.

Stacey Reycraft says, “We want students who need the help to receive it. That is my number one priority but if we don’t receive help from student volunteers this won’t happen.”