University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The Disability Resource Center, formerly Disability Support Services, is leading the way in a cultural paradigm shift from an accommodation model of disability to a social model of disability and universal design. The social model of disability offers a segue into a new era of responding to disability in postsecondary settings by creating environments that are accessible for all students from the ground up.

Providing access to a diverse student population is embedded in the philosophy of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. We recognize disability as an aspect of diversity that is integral to society and to the campus community. To this end, the Disability Resource Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members to create usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable learning environments. We promote and facilitate awareness and access through training, partnerships, innovative programs and accommodations.

Who Can Benefit from Universal Design?

Here are a few examples of the students who benefit from environments designed based on the principles of universal design:

* Students for whom English is a second language
* Students with have older computer technology or no access to high-speed Internet
* Students of nontraditional age
* Students with disabilities
* Students with a learning style differs from their instructor’s teaching style

To learn more about Universal Design, visit the Project PACE website.