The signs are around campus, and you can see them if you look hard enough. A wheelchair ramp here; braille in the elevator there; an online lecture with subtitles. The inclusion of students with disabilities on college campuses is subtle; never overt. This is because college campuses often only meet the legally-required amount of accommodations for students with disabilities. Braille around campus is a perfect example of this; while many offices have the number in braille next to the door, the name of the office or who is inside is oftentimes not available, causing great inconveniences for students who rely on braille to get around campus.

Going the extra mile to make campus more convenient and accessible for students with disabilities can be seen by college staff or administrators as excessive spending for a small minority of students; however, the number of students with diagnosed disabilities on college campuses is only increasing. Almost 20% of American undergraduate students reported having a disability in 2016, and the majority of universities internationally report having students with disabilities. A disability is any physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity. And a disability is not always visible to an unknowing passerby; diabetes, ADHD, and anxiety are all disabilities that can interfere with students’ abilities to attend class constantly, give presentations, or be in class for long periods of time without eating food or taking a break.