URI Student Survey

Student Responses

Each year we conduct a consumer satisfaction survey as part of a continuous self evaluation. The survey asks about various aspects of the accommodation process, about satisfaction with Disability Services, and about faculty interactions.

In Spring 1999, after redesigning the previous survey, we conducted a pilot distribution. As a result 72 surveys, of 76 distributed, were returned. The disabilities represented in the respondent group were very similiar to the disability distribution table found in the student demographics page. Most (65%) students reported requesting accommodations every semester.

General questions...

Class levels of the respondents:
29% first-year students.
22% sophomores
22% juniors
22% seniors
4% graduate students
1% non-matriculated student

When asked which types of services or accommodations were used:
Course accommodations - 90%
Housing Accommodations - 6%
Transportation Accommodations - 1%
Consultations with DSS staff - 50%
Priority Registration - 43%
(respondents chose more than one category)

89% of respondents would absolutely use DSS services again.

88% of respondents received all services requested. (10% received "some" services for various reasons - 2 decided not to ask the professor for accommodations; 1 said DSS did not follow through, 2 checked "other"; and 2 left the item blank)

Questions about Faculty...

Willingness to provide accommodations:
68% had very positive experiences, 25% had somewhat positive experiences, 5% were neutral

Approachability for arranging accommodations:
51% responded "very positive", 42% responded "somewhat positive", 3% were neutral

Willingness to work out problems that come up with accommodations:
43% were "very positive", 33% were "somewhat positive", and 11% were neutral

If my professor and I do not agree...I will most likely:
Ask again - 36%
Ask DSS for help - 71%
Forget about it - 1%
Other - 3% (i.e. drop the class, or wait to find out my final grade)
Blank - 3%

Regarding Staff and Services at DSS...

Helping to arrange accommodations:
93% - very positive, 6% - somewhat positive

Encouraging you to grow and develop as a student:
79% - very positive, 13% - somewhat positive, 7% - neutral

Helping you to identify campus resources:
77% - very positive, 15% - somewhat positive, 7% - neutral

DSS effectiveness in helping you to problem-solve:
69% - very positive, 22% - somewhat psotivie, 1% - neutral

Involving you in the accommodation process:
86% - very positive, 11%- somewhat positive, 3% - neutral

Understanding the concerns of students with disabilities:
89% - very positive, 18% somewhat positive, 1% - neutral

Showing sensitivity to your concerns:
81% - very positive, 18% - somewhat positive, 1% - neutral

Understanding disabilities:
82% - very positive, 15% - somewhat positive, 1% neutral, 1% - blank

When asked what was the most helpful thing DSS has ever done for you some comments included:

	Priority registration
	Help me settle in and adjust to school
	They help me deal with my teachers if they don't understand my learning disabilities
	Really understand and listen to my problems, and offer positive suggestions to save them
	Help me to receive accommodations and understand my disability
	Make me feel like I wasn't alone. They helped me out a lot
	Just being willing to listen
	Making sure I had all the accommodations I needed.
	helped me to organize my school work/taught me study skills
	Telling me about the Learning Assistance Network

For more information, contact Pamela Rohland, Director of Disability Services for Students, rohland@.uri.edu. or 401-874-2098 (TT via RI Relay - 1-800-745-5555)

"The most helpful thing a teacher did for me was to allow me to use the print enlarger in the library and to give me copies of overheads."