Hidden Disabilities
Why Focus on Disability?
An increasing number of students with disabilities are entering colleges and universities. Their enrollment has tripled since the 1970s. We estimate 12% at the University of Hawai‘i. Why estimate? Don’t we know exactly?
Colleges and Universities may not ask students about their disability status. There is no box marked “disability” to check on an application. Students with disabilities decide whether and when to disclose their disabilities to the school.
Faculty are often unaware or confused about what it means to have students with disabilities in their classes.
