Disability/Accessibility and Dartmouth Post-ADA

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA is divided into five sections which concern different areas of public life. These sections include employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, telecommunications, and miscellaneous provisions. The purpose of ADA is to ensure that Americans with disabilities are given the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers. In terms of educational opportunities, private and public colleges must provide equal access to buildings, classrooms, and facilities to individuals with disabilities. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) expanded the definition of “disability” by modifying several key terms included in the original act. The resources below demonstrate how Dartmouth College has developed in response to ADA, and showcase the perspectives of students with disabilities navigating campus life. For information on campus life before ADA was ratified, see the virtual exhibit curated by Sam Koreman ‘20, entitled “Moving Towards Accessibility: A Brief History of Dartmouth College’s Physical Accessibility Changes Prior to the Americans with Disability Act.”

• “Accessibility”  Dartmouth College Website: Includes Dartmouth accessibility statement, information on the ADA/504 compliance program, employment and student accommodations.
• “Accessibility”  Dartmouth Libraries: Information on locating and reaching library materials, borrowing library materials, assisted photocopying and scanning, and visiting the various library locations with service animals.
• “Accessibility & Inclusion” Collis Center and Student Involvement: Information for event organizers to access accommodations for their attendees in specific campus event spaces, including the Collis Center, Robinson Hall, Sarner Underground, Studio Sudikoff, Paganucci Lounge, and Tom Dent Cabin.
• “Accessibility Services” Collis Center and Student Involvement: Information for event organizers to access accommodations for their attendees, including assistive listening devices and elevator access.
• “Accessibility and Course Accomodation Support for Students and Their Faculty” Office of the Registrar: Statement on support and resources for students and faculty, including Student Accessibility Services. 
• “Accessible Parking”  Transportation Services: Information on accessible parking and obtaining permits. 
• “ADA/504 Appeal Process” Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX: Information on resolving concerns or appeals.

According to Sam Koreman ‘20, twelve staff members met in November 1986 to create what would later be called the Section 504 Committee on the Handicapped, the precursor to today’s Section 504/ADA Committee. The Committee was reactivated in 2009. The stated purpose of the 504/ADA Committee (as of 2010) is as follows: “The 504/ADA Committee advises the President, Provost, and the Vice-President of Institutional Diversity & Equity about disability related issues. In doing so, the Committee should consider-related legal parameters to which Dartmouth College may be subject including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act. The consideration of legal parameters is to help assure compliance with them, rather than to limit recommendations to simply meet legal requirements.” The Committee includes representatives from across campus — such as the Director of SAS, Director of EO/AA, and Chief Facilities Officer — and is divided into three sub-committees: Policies and Procedures; Campus Facilities; and Public Events and Communications.

DA-751: Dartmouth College, Institutional Diversity and Equity records

File: SECTION 504/ADA COMMITTEE 1992-93 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, 1992 - 1993
Box: 9612

• Includes extensive information on the activities of the 504/ADA Committee from 1992 to 1993. Includes email correspondence between members, priorities within the barrier-removal project (signage, ramps, elevators), information on the acquisition of assistive listening devices, and accessibility issues within dormitories. Also includes a “Priority Report for Americans with Disabilities Act Evaluation” prepared by Wagoner Associates ADA consultants (Wilder, VT) for Dartmouth College. 

File: SECTION 504/ADA BUDGET 96-97
Box: 12275

• Includes the Dartmouth College Accounting System Report for the 504/ADA Committee (1996-1997). Includes expenses from supplies, photocopier supplies, books & publications, supplies & equipment, entertainment, internal printing, and “other.” 

File: SECTION 504/ADA BUDGET 97-98
Box: 12275

• Includes the Dartmouth College Accounting System Report for the 504/ADA Committee (1997-1998). Includes expenses from supplies, photocopier supplies, books & publications, supplies & equipment, entertainment, internal printing, and “other.” 

DA-29: Dartmouth College, Office of Communications records

File:  Integrating Assistive Listening Devices Into Public Spaces
Box: 8955

• Includes “Integrating Assistive Listening Devices into Public Spaces at Dartmouth College: A Report by the Subcommittee on Assistive Listening Devices to the Section 504/ADA Committee May 26, 1998.” In January, 1998, Ozzie Harris and Nancy Pompian, co-chairs of the Section 504/ADA Committee, charged an Assistive Listening Device (ALD) Subcommittee to make recommendations for integrating assistive listening devices into Dartmouth’s public spaces, specifically asking the subcommittee to 1. Identify buildings or spaces needing ALDs as required by ADA and 2. Developing a policy for the 504/ADA Committee to review including operational cost estimates for implementing policy and procedures.
• The report is 16 pages. Table of Contents: Introduction, The Americans with Disabilities Act, ALD Policy Statement, Current ALD Capacity, Future ALD Capacity, Recommendations To The 504/ADA Committee, Conclusion, Appendices.

File: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) SECTION 504 
Series: SUBJECT FILES. 
Vice President and Treasurer of Dartmouth College records. 
Box: 13549 Title: 1990 - 2001 MISC. 

• Contents from 1988-1995. Regarding implementing changes recommended by the 504 Committee. Specifically, increasing campus access by installing ramps and elevators. Projects — including renovating Robinson Hall, Reed Hall, Dartmouth Hall, etc — have been placed into priority groups, along with the estimated cost. Challenges regarding funding are discussed. The College has begun an annual expenditure for barrier removal ($50,000 per year) to be directed by the 504/ADA Committee. 

File: Disability Info: Disability Information
Series: Administrative Files 
Dartmouth College, Comparative Literature Program records
Box: 306 30 Title: Program, Supplies and Equipment Info 2002-2013

• Professors are given an example syllabus statement directing students to notify them of accessibility concerns at the beginning of the term. Legal cases from peer institutions related to 504/ADA compliance are provided. 

File: DISABILITY SERVICES 
DA-8: Dartmouth College, Dean of the College records
Series: Special Community Student Files
Box: 306 96 Title: 1983 - 2004, 1983-01-01 - 2013-07-10

• The Special Community Student Program was a program open to juniors and seniors of area high schools who exhausted all possible classes within their field of interest at their high school. Students could register for Dartmouth courses without petitioning to the Chair of the Advisory Committee. This file concerns accessibility concerns for students and employees participating in the program. 

“College works to improve accessibility” by Kascha Semon, The Dartmouth. Feb. 09, 1999. 

• Details several accessibility projects headed by the 504 Committee, including recently renovated wheelchair ramps, adding  automated door closers and toilet accessibility in Bradley Hall, and adding accessible ramps in Carpenter Hall and Rockefeller Center. The committee also directed renovation at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge in the past year. Also describes future 504 Committee plans throughout campus.

"Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with students, faculty, and staff partners all over campus with the goal of providing equal access for disabled undergraduate and BE students to all aspects of their Dartmouth program. The needs of every student vary, even if they hold the same diagnosis, so equal access will be individually tailored and look different for every disabled student, and may include accommodations in first-year trips, academics, housing, dining, off-campus programs, varsity athletics, transportation/parking accommodations, and/or other areas" (Student Accessibility Services). The resources listed below highlight the work done by SAS, as well as how students have responded to their services.

• "Campus Partners" Student Accessibility Services Website.: A list of SAS campus partners. 
• “Accessibility Services lacking, students say”  by Erin Jaeger, The Dartmouth. June. 01, 2009.: In an effort to address concerns raised by multiple students that the College's Student Accessibility Services fails to provide students with disabilities the accommodations they need, a group of Dartmouth students presented a report to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity last Wednesday asking administrators to revise College accessibility policies.
• “College to implement accessibility initiatives” by Angie Yang, The Dartmouth. Mar. 03, 2011.: The College will implement a search to fill the position of assistant director of Student Accessibility Services, establish a note-takers program and provide informational material and workshops for faculty about accommodating students with disabilities. 
• “Taking Note of Accessibility at Dartmouth”  by Marian Lurio, The Dartmouth. Jan. 09, 2014.: Due to a culture where legitimate treatment for learning disabilities can be marred by stereotypes, students utilizing a variety of accessibility services on Dartmouth’s campus are often misunderstood. 
• “Alison May ‘97 Will Head Student Accessibility Services”  Dartmouth Website. Jul. 23, 2019.: Alison May ’97 will become Dartmouth’s next director of Student Accessibility Services. May, who will be an assistant dean, will take over for Ward Newmeyer, who plans to retire in September.
• “College Improving Services to Students with Disabilities” Dartmouth Website. Oct. 25 2019.: Dartmouth has completed the first step of an institution-wide commitment to improving the manner in which it addresses the needs of students with disabilities, including expansion of SAS testing center availability, following a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by Staci Manella ‘18.  
• “The Stigma Around Accommodations” by Cristian Cano, The Dartmouth. Nov. 06, 2019.: Student Accessibility Center representatives confront the stereotypes and stigma surrounding use of accommodations. Specifically, they address the misconception that students fake disabilities to gain unfair advantages, and speak about the barriers to accessing accommodations. 
• “Look Who’s Talking: Alison May ‘97, Director of Student Accessibility Services” by Betsy Vereckey, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Mar/Apr 2020.: Director of Student Accessibility Services — Alison May ‘97 — answers questions about accessibility challenges on campus. 
• “Pandemic prompts College to reexamine accessibility, learning accommodations” by Kyle Mullins, The Dartmouth. Feb. 12, 2021.:  For students with accommodations and the administrators who work with them, the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the effectiveness of some accommodations and the potential for a more accommodating class environment in the future.

The Academic Skills Center (ASC) began in 1960, and has evolved greatly over time. ASC's stated mission is " to assist students in achieving their academic goals... The Academic Skills Center accomplishes its mission through a variety of services and programs. We help students improve their academic skills and ability to learn, thereby maximizing their academic experience and allowing them to achieve greater academic performance and personal fulfillment" (ASC Overview). At the time of ADA's implementation, ASC was a well established campus resource due to its Tutor Clearinghouse, which provided both individual and group tutoring. The center had a previous history of engaging with disability issues, as exemplified by the "Dyslexic/Learning Disabled Students at Selective Colleges: An Invitational Symposium" hosted by ASC in 1987. Since then, ASC has been a vital resource for learning disabled students. 

• "A Brief History of the ASC" Academic Skills Center. 
• "ASC Staff 1974-Present" Academic Skills Center. 
• "1960-1974" Academic Skills Center. 
• "1974-1983" Academic Skills Center. 
• "1983-1993" Academic Skills Center. 
• "1993-2005" Academic Skills Center. 
• "2005-Present" Academic Skills Center. 

File: Language Waiver Ad Hoc Commitee 
Dartmouth College, Academic Skills Center Records
Series: Historical Documents 
Box: Historical documentation regarding the progress and development of programs, particularly the Integrated Academic Support program within the Academic Skills Center. 

• Contents from 1970-1988. Contains material related to the Language Waiver Ad Hoc Committee from 1984-1988 (pre-ADA). Documents and email correspondence include proposed guidelines for learning disabled students to participate in Language Study Abroads (LSAs), the COS Subcommittee review process (learning disability testing results are received, Learning Disability Diagnostic Committee is informed, petition is added to next meeting, etc), faculty vote on allowing language waivers (passed),and  referral and diagnostic procedure for suspected L.D cases. There is also a written profile of learning disabled Dartmouth students as a whole (including Family and Personal Backgrounds and Diagnosis experience), 1988 Questionnaire of 25 Selective American Colleges Regarding Learning Disabled Students and Foreign Language Requirement and Accommodations, and Dyslexics at Brown: A Student Perspective.

File: Dyslexic Comm Sub Committee (contains subfolder: l.d sub comm. documents)

• Contents from 1985-1988. Includes documents, written correspondence, and reports related to the Dyslexic Committee and the establishment of the Ad Hoc Learning Disability Subcommittee (1986) through the Academic Skills Center. Documents in the Dyslexic Committee folder include: “Working with Learning-Disabled College Students: An Exchange of experiences, dilemmas, and questions” by the Bureau of Study Counsel, drafts of “Dartmouth Students with Learning Disabilities” (an introduction to what learning disabilities are and how Dartmouth students are impacted), “Information and Procedures Regarding the Language Requirement,” articles from the “Undergraduate Bulletin,” Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) Profile of dyslexic students, committee meeting minutes, correspondence centered on the definition of “learning-disabled” and “dyslexic,” and an invitation to a talk held by “a group of learning disabled students at Dartmouth,” and more. All material is pre-ADA.

ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER-LEARNING DISABILITY UPPERCLASS DEANS SUBJECT FILES, 1374, Box: 29802. Dartmouth College, Upper Class Deans records, DA-673. Rauner Library Archives and Manuscripts. 1987-01-01 to 1993-12-31. 

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER YEAR END REPORT, 
Rauner Special Collections Library, D.C History LB3044.73.N4 D37

• Includes 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 year end reports for the Academic Skills Center. Both reports include a summary and accomplishments section, concerns, next year goals, and student contact statistics. There is also a section on the Tutor Clearinghouse and Study Group Program and NCAA programs. Statistics on student disabilities, both learning and physical, are examined and concerns are noted.

DysDocs: A Publication for the Academic Skills Center at Dartmouth College, Rauner Special Collections Library, D.C history LB3044.D97.1988

“Carl Thum: Teacher of how to learn” by Georgia Croft, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Oct. 1986.

• Proceeding ADA, Carl Thum — Director of the Academic Skills Center — speaks about the importance of the academic skills center and the stigma associated with asking for help at elite colleges. 

“Skills Center helps students learn” by Erin Loback, The Dartmouth. Oct. 03, 1995. 

• The Academic Skills Center sponsors a variety of programs providing academic assistance, including tutoring, aid for students with disabilities and mini-courses in learning skills. 

“Academic Skills Center helps all students” by Carl Thum, The Dartmouth. Oct. 05, 1995. 

• Letter to the editor from ASC staff member Carl Thum, correcting misinformation included in a previous article by The Dartmouth: "Skills Center helps students learn.” 

“Tutor Clearing house experiencing shortage of tutors” by Katie Rafter, The Dartmouth. Jan. 22, 2015. 

• A shortage of tutors available through Tutor Clearinghouse causes disruptions for students seeking assistance. 

“College cuts fee for study groups” by Debora Hyemin Han, The Dartmouth. Jan. 19, 2017. 

• The Academic Skills Center launched an initiative to make student study groups free of charge for all students regardless of financial aid status. Prior to the change, students on financial aid paid an up-front fee of $10 for the term, while those who were not on financial aid paid $30. 

“One-on-one tutoring significantly reduced, study groups eliminated” by Reilly Olinger, The Dartmouth. Sep. 22, 2020. 

• One-on-one tutoring has been dramatically reduced, and residential experts, study groups and conversation partners have all been eliminated due to budgetary constraints. In place of these programs, the Tutor Clearinghouse is prioritizing group tutoring.

“Making the Grade: Students Adapt to Reduced Tutoring Resources” by Mia Seymour, The Dartmouth. Nov. 18, 2020. 

• A student describes their inability to secure a tutor after Tutor Clearinghouse rolled back many of their services due to budget constraints in the fall. 

“Student Wellness Center, Academic Skills Center reopen featuring debut of ‘tranquility room’”  by Isabelle Han, The Dartmouth. Jan. 10, 2023. 

• The Student Wellness Center and the Academic Skills Center jointly debuted a new location on the first floor of Baker-Berry Library on Jan. 11. The reopening also included the launch of a tranquility room — a wellness-focused space implemented by members of Dartmouth Student Government’s mental health committee. The creation of the tranquility room, led by Dartmouth Student Government vice president Jessica Chiriboga ’24, was funded using a $10,000 American Eagle Future Together grant. 

• “With Relentless Drive, and a Little Help from a Friend” Dartmouth Website. Dec 08 2015.: Mannella defies stereotypes as well as misconceptions of what it’s like to be a college student with a disability. 
• “Q&A with Staci Mannella ‘18”  by Alyssa Mehra, The Dartmouth. Sep. 21, 2016.: Manella answers questions about her athletic career and experience as a student athlete. 
• “Student sues College over disability accommodations” by Julian Nathan, The Dartmouth. Apr. 27 2017.: Manella recently filed a lawsuit against the College claiming that she did not receive accommodations to which she is entitled under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• “Student sues Dartmouth over accessibility problems: Legally blind skier says university has failed to accommodate her” by Jeanine Santucci, USA Today. Sep 03 2017.: Before enrolling at Dartmouth, Mannella says she met with the accommodations services office at Dartmouth to discuss what she would need to succeed academically at Dartmouth. Yet, Mannella alleges in the lawsuit, she was either denied access or given delayed access to these accommodations.
• “Mannella and Trygstad-Saari lead Big Green in the Paralympics” by Caitlyn McGovern, The Dartmouth. Mar. 26, 2018.: While Dartmouth students were on spring break, Olympic action continued as the Paralympics Games ran from March 9 through 18 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Two of the Team USA’s competitors were Staci Mannella ’18 and Kristina Trygstad-Saari ’07. 
• “Dartmouth College is committed to being inclusive”  by Provost Joseph J. Helble, Valley News. Feb. 09 2019.: This is written in response to Jim Kenyon’s column on Dartmouth College student Staci Mannella (“Fighting for a fair shot: Legally blind Dartmouth student sues for an equal chance to succeed in class,” Feb. 3). The College has entered into an agreement with Manella and her family. 
• “After Lawsuit settlement, Manella Protocol established” by Elizabeth A. Janowski, The Dartmouth. Feb. 21 2019.: Mannella and her family recently reached an out-of-court settlement with the College in a lawsuit originally filed against Dartmouth in April 2017. Under the conditions of the settlement, the College has agreed to implement new policies and procedures that will address the needs of students with disabilities, including a mandatory training program for faculty and staff that will be known as “The Mannella Protocol.”
• “Developing Vision without Privileging Sight | Staci Mannella | TEDxDartmouth.” YouTube. June 26 2019.: Manella opens up a discussion about accessibility for students with disabilities in higher education, and encourages viewers to think about these issues through an anthropological lens. She describes her experiences at Dartmouth College and her transition from an athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Alpine ski team to her role as an advocate for students with disabilities. 
• “Letter to the Editor: Making Dartmouth Accessible” by Alessandra Necamp, The Dartmouth. Mar. 28, 2019.: Necamp ’09 argues that the Mannella Protocol seems ignorant of the work of students, faculty and administrators, and is evident of the College doing the “bare minimum” to address accessibility concerns. 
• “External report evaluates college's accessibility policy following lawsuit” by Lauren Adler, The Dartmouth. Nov 08 2019.: Following the Manella lawsuit, Dartmouth has participated in an external review of Americans with Disabilities Act infrastructure on campus and has implemented several changes to improve accessibility at the College.

D.C History; G3744.H3: 2D3 1983. F57
Rauner Special Collections Library
“Maps of Dartmouth College showing their updating process” Fitchet, Duncan M., cartographer, author.; Boley, Marj (Marjorie L.), author.; Dartmouth College.

• Includes a 1983 map, printed in black, displaying campus buildings; two 1983 color campus maps which document differences in parking area designations; and a 1986 map of existing campus buildings and parking with proposed changes in color and addition of color symbols indicating accessible parking and building access for people with disabilities. Includes 2 letters regarding the campus map. The letter describes problems with the maps and proposed changes to it. 

Book Arts Reference; Zine26. 
“Accessible and all-gender restrooms at the Dartmouth Library!” 2023. Dartmouth College. Library, publisher.; Dartmouth Zine Collection.

• An informational one-page folding-zine on restrooms located throughout the Dartmouth libraries.

File: Americans with Disabilities Act Assistive Hearing Devices 
Hopkins Center, Director's Office Records 
Series: Files of Lewis Crickard 
Box: 603295 - Subject Files 

• Includes email correspondence between community members and Hopkins Center directors regarding the lack of assistive listening devices provided by the Hopkins Center to patrons. In particular, one patron claims that she has been assured in writing four times that a temporary assistive listening device system would be in operation in Loew Auditorium, but was not provided one when she visited the auditorium for a show. She writes: “I feel that Dartmouth is now, not only in non-compliance with ADA, but is also misleading the public.” She cites the Hopkins Center brochures, which state that assistive listening devices are available for all programs. 

File: LIB BLDG COMMITTEE ADA/504/ACCESSIBILITY
Dartmouth College, Library Administration records
Series: BERRY CONSTRUCTION FILES
Box: 4/86 - 1/00 1342

• Includes email correspondence regarding Baker-Berry Library’s physical accessibility. Notably, there are concerns about the only public accessible elevator being shut down during Baker-Berry construction, the lack of an accessible first floor bathroom in Baker, procuring accessible furniture and workstations, and providing assistive speech-to-text and text-to-speech devices. Accessibility was not taken into account for the initial Baker-Berry renovation plans. 

“College upgrades for disabilities” by Jeffrey Beyer, The Dartmouth. Oct. 18, 1994. 

• In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the College is continuing its program of upgrading facilities to make them more handicapped accessible. The highest priority projects are Rollins Chapel, the Ravine Lodge and Robinson Hall.

“Robinson renovations slated” by James Hunnicutt, The Dartmouth. Jan. 19, 1995. 

• The College is in the final stages of planning a multimillion dollar project to extensively renovate Robinson Hall. The renovations will make Robinson fully accessible and bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Robinson Hall will begin renovations” by Rebecca Siegel, The Dartmouth. Jul. 07, 1995. 

• The College will begin its $2.4 million renovation of Robinson Hall on August 6 and anticipates the project will be completed by August 1, 1996. The renovations, primarily planned to make the building handicapped accessible, will be divided into two phases.

“Work on College buildings proceeds apace” by Shevani Jaisingh, The Dartmouth. Aug. 16, 2001. 

• The largest project in College history -- the building and renovating of Baker/Berry Library -- is on schedule. Summer construction projects at Parkhurst Hall, Hitchcock Hall and the Dartmouth Medical School are also underway. Engelberth Construction is working to make Parkhurst Hall comply with the American Disabilities Act. 

“ORL renovates KDE, River apts.” by Shaunak Mewada, The Dartmouth. Sep. 30, 2003. 

• As part of yearly improvements to campus, the Office of Residential Life carried out major renovations to the River Apartments and Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority this past summer, while also working toward increasing accessibility for handicapped students.

“College offers Greeks loans for house repairs” by Kevin Garland, The Dartmouth. Feb. 20, 2004. 

• Dartmouth has set aside $8 million for the renovation of Greek houses, but Greek responses to the College Loan Program have been mixed. The impetus for the loans comes from a facilities audit the College commissioned from an outside firm. After a year of research, the audit determined that the houses needed $850,000 worth of repair over the next ten years. The College has put pressure on Gamma Delta Chi fraternity to make their residence accord more closely with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. 

“College spends $1.2 mil. on Alpha Chi renovation”  by Kevin Garland, The Dartmouth. Feb. 23, 2004. 

• The Office of Residential Life plans on undertaking a $1.2 million renovation of the College-owned Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity. The updates will help the house's physical structure apply more closely to the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and current fire code regulations. 

“Navigating campus remains difficult for the handicapped” by Drew Joseph, The Dartmouth. May 28, 2008. 

• Although Dartmouth satisfies all government regulations regarding handicap accessibility, according to College officials, it is often difficult to maneuver campus. 

“Construction advances for campus buildings” by Emma Moley, The Dartmouth. Aug. 05, 2013. 

• Though several building projects remain in the design phase, construction is scheduled to begin this September on an LGBT affinity house and a physical plant for Kappa Delta sorority. The proposal for Triangle House, an affinity house for Dartmouth's LGBT community, will be submitted for the Board of Trustees' approval in September. Both houses will meet the Americans with Disabilities Act's housing requirements.

“Lodge may see renovations” by Chris Leech, The Dartmouth. May 21, 2014. 

• As part of an ongoing series of renovations, the College is considering updating or rebuilding the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge to better meet safety codes and host a growing number of guests. Built in 1938, the building’s age and lack of accessibility contribute to the need for renovations. 

“New housing communities adjust for accessibility needs” by Joyce Lee, The Dartmouth. May 11, 2016. 

• The new residential housing system was designed with the way they would accommodate those with physical disabilities on campus in mind. 

“College completes Reed Hall and Baker-Berry construction, Dartmouth Hall renovations to begin”  by Manasi Singh, The Dartmouth. Jan.14, 2021. 

• Dartmouth has moved forward with multiple construction projects, including the completion of renovations to Reed Hall and Baker-Berry Library, the start of renovations on Dartmouth Hall and the continued construction of the new Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society. Renovations include marking more accessible paths to buildings. 

“Proposed changes to Title IX could increase inclusivity at Dartmouth” by Arizbeth Rojos. July 01, 2021. 

• The Biden administration’s proposed changes to Title IX increase protection against harassment for gender and identity expression. The College’s Title IX coordinator and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator and facilities staff are working to ensure that gender inclusive bathrooms are accessible all over campus. The goal is to have at least one gender inclusive bathroom in each building. 

“Classes to return to newly renovated Dartmouth Hall in winter” by Tessa Augsberger, The Dartmouth. Oct. 20, 2022. 

• The 21-month long renovation period updated the iconic campus building, introduced new eco-friendly modifications and improved accessibility features. 

“Construction scheduled this summer for East Wheelock Street and North Park Street” by Sierra Sugarman, The Dartmouth. Mar. 29, 2024. 

• In support of Beilock’s sustainability goals, the College plans to renovate residential halls and Greek spaces on campus. Renovations will aim to make buildings more accessible while retaining their historic character. 

DA-8: Dartmouth College, Dean of the College records

File: LEARNING DISABILITY COMM.
Box: 7477

• Includes correspondence related to establishing policies regarding learning disabled students (1985-1986). A letter from Nancy Pompian to Dean of Faculty Dwight Lahr reads: “At the request of Carl P. Thum, Director of Reading Skills and Study Skills, I am writing to you informally to tell you what we are doing about dyslexic and other learning disabled students at Dartmouth. Presently, we are drafting a proposal to submit to Dean Shanahan outline L.D students at Dartmouth.” Pompian stresses the difficulties learning disabled face when learning foreign languages, and the bias they experience from faculty. She writes: “It is difficult to believe in dyslexia, when the students look so normal.” 
• Includes drafts of documents meant to bring awareness to learning disabilities, and emails which will be sent to Professors regarding L.D students. Also includes meeting notes from the Subcommittee on Learning Disabilities. 
• Includes a survey report edited by Carl Thum and Nancy Pompian on “the range of awareness and activities regarding learning disabled students at seventeen selective colleges.” Contacts from these schools (Amherst, Brown, Bryn-Mawr, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Smith, Stanford, Swarthmore, Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan, Williams, Yale) provide insight into what life is like for L.D students, and the lack of institutional support provided to them. 

File: LD TESTING
Box: 2976

• Contents from 1996. Includes a preliminary draft of a proposed learning disabilities testing system (1996) in anticipation of an upcoming Academic Skills Center meeting. The draft includes the needs to be addressed by the testing system and the proposed system. According to the document, “the needs suggest that continuing to contract with an in-house diagnostic specialist one or two days a week is optimal.” Specific guidelines and other issues are given. 

DA-192: Dartmouth College, Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Literature records

File: HANDICAPPED
Box: 9037

• Includes email to “Teachers of Languages” on learning disabilities (September 4, 1992). Includes information on how to refer students to the College’s 504 Coordinator Nancy Pompian. Also includes recommendations on how to accommodate students who do not seek a language exemption in language courses or drill.

Baker-Berry Stacks

LC4818.38. L42 2001 
Learning Disabilities and Life Stories

• Edited by Dartmouth Professors Pano Rodis and Andrew Garrod, and including narratives by five former Dartmouth students, this anthology is comprised of two major components: thirteen full-length, autobiographical essays written by persons with learning disabilities and five analytical chapters written by education and psychology scholars. Published in 2001. 

Dartmouth Alumni Magazine

 “Learning disabled file suit” Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. June 1986. 

• A group of learning disabled undergraduates filed suit last summer against Dartmouth with the U.S. Department of Education, which recently notified College officials that it has determined it has jurisdiction to consider the complaint. The suit alleges that the College does not have a con- sistent policy regarding learning-disabled students, in violation of Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act.

The Dartmouth

“Students with learning disabilities thrive at the College” by Elizabeth Tedesco, The Dartmouth. Feb. 07, 1996.  

• Tailoring programs as early as 1985, Dartmouth was one of the first Ivy League schools to create a program to assist the learning disabled. The College currently grants a few learning disabled students exemption from the foreign language requirement. A greater number of students make special arrangements such as receiving extra time or private rooms to take exams.

“Prof. edits new book on learning disabilities” by Charles Gardner, The Dartmouth. Oct. 19, 2000. 

• Dartmouth education professors Pano Rodis and Andrew Garrod published a compilation of 13 student narratives and 5 scholarly essays this past summer entitled "Learning Disabilities and Life Stories." Learning-disabled students from Dartmouth, Landmark College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Greenfield Community College contributed the first-person narratives, which center on the difficulties and pressures such students face in their social and academic lives.

“Two Dangerous Problems in The SA’s Report” by Roger Masters, The Dartmouth. May 23, 2001. 

• Letter to the editor concerning a recent Student Assembly Report. The author argues that there are several serious issues not reflected in the report, including the role of learning disabilities in campus issues. 

“L.D students give College mixed reviews” by Kaitlin Bell, The Dartmouth. Apr. 22, 2002. 

• Although Dartmouth offers a variety of resources for learning-disabled students and professors generally adhere to the College's policy of granting accommodations, students with learning disabilities vary in their opinions of how well Dartmouth has met their needs.

Developed by John A. Rassias (1925-2015), the William R. Kenan Professor, “the Rassias Method® is a unique approach that speeds language learning, increases language retention and has you speaking and understanding in "A week that makes a difference." Originally developed for Peace Corps training, it has been adapted by language teachers in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia” (The Rassias Center). Rassias began his relationship with the Peace Corp language program in 1964. He joined the Dartmouth faculty in 1965, serving as Director of Language Learning Programs. Today, his language teaching method, in which students participate in verbal language “drill” sessions in addition to lectures, continues to differentiate Dartmouth’s language program from peer institutions. While the Rassias Method is widely praised for its efficiency, archival records reveal the challenges its fast pace and verbal emphasis create for students with learning disabilities and auditory processing disorders.

“Rassias Method isn’t a snap for everyone at Dartmouth” by Sarah Gerry, The Dartmouth. Feb. 16, 1998. 

• Between 30 and 35 students are granted language requirement waivers in each 12 month period. Language professors and administrators are questioning whether the Rassias method or the time pressure of the Dartmouth Plan causes these students' problems, or whether these students would have difficulties in any language-learning situation. 

“Auditory Processing Disabilities are Different from Hearing Acuity”  by Nancy Pompian, The Dartmouth. Feb. 20, 1998. 

• Student Disabilities Coordinator Nancy Pompian writes in response to a recent article on learning disabilities and the Rassias Method: (“Rassias method isn't a snap for everyone at Dartmouth," The Dartmouth, Feb. 16). However, she clarifies that there is a difference between auditory processing disabilities and hearing acuity. 

“Students learn to conquer learning disabilities” by Julia Levy, The Dartmouth. Nov. 04, 1999. 

• The most common disabilities at the College are dyslexia, auditory processing deficits, math learning disabilities and disorder of written expression. These disabilities often affect students' ability to complete their work and perform well in tests. The Rassias method of teaching foreign languages is also a challenge for learning disabled students. 

“Pace of Dartmouth Causes Language Difficulties” by Nancy Pompian, The Dartmouth. Nov. 09, 1999. 

• Student Disabilities Coordinator Nancy Pompian writes a letter to the editor in response to a previous article (Students Learn to Conquer Learning Disabilities, Nov. 4, 1999). She argues that the headline did not match the content of the story. Particularly, she argues that auditory drill isn't alone responsible for the difficulty of language courses, but instead, the pace of Dartmouth courses is responsible.

 “Fighting for Change” by Irene M. Wielawski, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Jul/Aug 2006.

• In the fall of 1982 Shelley Mosley '86 matriculated at Dartmouth College. By graduation she had triggered a federal investigation on behalf of students with disabilities at Dartmouth due to her experience with language learning.

The sources listed below highlight how students, faculty, and community members have discussed disability and accessibility issues overtime. Opinion articles, student spolights, and personal narratives provide unique insight into how disabled students and those affiliated with the College navigated life on campus, as well as the challenges they may have encountered. 

“Dartmouth needs greater awareness of people with disabilities” by Edward R. Arnold, The Dartmouth. Jan. 20, 1995.

• In spite of recent publicity surrounding disability and chronic illness on campus, there have been limited donations to disability programs. 

"Lee, a quadripelegic med student, defies "disabled" stigma" by Neil Desai, The Dartmouth. Feb. 14, 1995. 

• Driven by ambition and discipline from years of gymnastics training, Robert Seung-Bok Lee is out to prove that the word "disabled" does not apply to fulfilling one's dreams. "S. B." Lee, a second year Dartmouth Medical School student, is one of only a few quadriplegic medical students in the country.  

“Learning What Works”  by Shelby Grantham and Karen Endicott, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. May 1995. 

• Taking disabilities seriously means redefining how students get an education. And that means re-examining the way classes are taught. 

“A Full Disabled Life” by Andrew D. Pulrang ‘89 and Peter Gamble ‘98, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Oct. 1995. 

• An article in response to “Learning What Works” published in the May 1995 issue of Alumni Magazine. The author has “nothing but praise” for how the College handled their accessibility needs before ADA.  

"College Gets Grant for Disability Education" Kathleen McDermott, The Dartmouth. Feb 29, 2000. 

• Dartmouth, in partnership with Columbia, Brown, Harvard and Stanford Universities, has been awarded a three year, $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to educate faculty and administrators about "non-visible disabilities" among undergraduates and to assist professors in creating a more inclusive instructional environment. 

"Students to Recieve Census at Dorm Rooms" by Amit Anand, The Dartmouth. Mar 30, 2000. 

• Census questionnaires will be delivered to every room at all of the dormitory buildings at colleges and universities nationwide. A number of programs depend upon Census data for continued funding, including the Americans with Disability Act.  

“Over-rated” Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Nov/Dec 2000.

• Lists of recent articles which rank Dartmouth in various categories. Dartmouth does not appear on a list of disability friendly colleges.  

"Get Over it" by Alex DiGiorgio, The Dartmouth. Mar 02, 2001. 

• A “white, heterosexual, able-bodied male” offers opinions on “the Psi U incident” — in which members of the fraternity allegedly harassed a female student. The author claims that “white, heterosexual, able-bodied males have difficulty empathizing with women, with minorities and with disabled people.”  

“Peace of Mind” Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Nov/Dec 2001. 

• A January Time Magazine article about mentally ill college students, titled "Lost on the Campus," included a provocative reference to Dartmouth College: "Dartmouth College, where the number of students admitting to psychiatric problems rose tenfold in the past three years, recently held a symposium on psychiatric health."  

“Face to Watch” by Julie Sloane ‘99, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. July/Aug 2003. 

• Born with a progressive bilateral hearing loss, Rob Nutt ‘98, a student at Dartmouth Medical School, researches deaf/hard of hearing children in the Upper Valley.  

“Dealing with Different” by Lauren Zeranski ‘02, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Mar/Apr 2005. 

• Despite the recent news on the subject, awareness about mental illness on college campuses is relatively new. Motivated by the growing population of college students with mental illnesses, and interested in learning how universities treat them, Dean of Students Gail Zimmerman undertook a national study that became her recently completed dissertation. 

“An Open Door Policy” by Irene M. Wielawski, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Jul/Aug 2006.

• In the wake of a complaint by students with disabilities two decades ago, Dartmouth now accommodates students with a broad range of special needs.

 “Quadriplegic alumnus Boen '53 dies at 75” by Brook Jackling, The Dartmouth. Jan. 07, 2008.

• Alumnus James Boen '53, one of the oldest living quadriplegics in the United States, died on Dec. 6 at age 75. James, an avid gymnast, became paralyzed from the neck down during his junior year at Dartmouth when he fell off of the high bars and landed beyond the safety mats, causing him to break his neck.

“Limited Access” by Sarah Schewe ‘12, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Mar/Apr 2012. 

• Navigating campus in a wheelchair isn’t easy. Jon Sigworth ’12, the only current student in a wheelchair, gets by with support from his friends.  

“Albrecht: Actual Accessibility” by Emily Albrecht, The Dartmouth. Jan. 16 2014. 

• Opinion article by a student who argues that the campus buildings are not welcoming for people in wheelchairs, on crutches or who have physical conditions like muscular dystrophy.  

“College to Collect Information on Veterans, Disability” by Rebecca Asoulin, The Dartmouth. Oct. 22, 2014. 

• Revisions to federal regulations require Dartmouth to include data on faculty and staff who self-identify as veterans and people with disabilities in its 2014-15 Affirmative Action Plan, alongside data on gender and race. To comply with the regulations, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity will analyze how many self-identified veterans and people with disabilities apply, are employed by and leave the College each year. 

“Mistaken Identity” by Suzanne Spencer Rendahl ‘93, The Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Nov/Dec 2014. 

• How one student coped as a “stealth dyslexic.” 

 “Andy Harvard Part One: A Mountaineer Laid Low” by Jim Kenyon, Valley News. Nov. 22, 2015.

• Andy Harvard, a respected mountaineer, was hired as director of Dartmouth’s outdoor programs in 2004. He was eventually dismissed after struggling with early onset Alzehimer’s disease. Dartmouth had never publicly acknowledged Harvard's firing. The College, according to the writer, made it seem as though he voluntarily stepped down.

“Andy Harvard Part Two: Former Outing Club Leader Still Waiting for Dartmouth College” by Jim Kenyon, Valley News. Nov. 23, 2015.

• "Dartmouth's Long Term Disability policy was designed for employees just like Andy who, through no fault of their own, are disabled by a disease that progressively takes away their ability to work," Vitt wrote. "Our hope is to bring this event to a dignified close by providing Andy and his family with a settlement that matches what would have been provided through Dartmouth's Long Term Disability policy."

“Living with chronic illnesses and disability at Dartmouth” by Lucy M. Li, The Dartmouth. Mar. 03, 2016. 

• It’s hard to be at anything less than your optimal physical health at Dartmouth. However, the author has found that Dartmouth students “have a knack for being adaptable and capable of overcoming challenges and stressors, including physical stressors like long-term illnesses and disabilities.”  

“Students work with local children on autism spectrum for project” by Kira Mikés, The Dartmouth. May 25, 2016.

•  Twelve young artists took over the Hopkins Center’s Garage studio space on Monday night for the opening of their gallery show created in collaboration with students enrolled in “Autism: Science, Story, and Experience.” After teaching the science behind Autism Spectrum Disorder, a group of developmental disorders that affect an individual’s ability to interact in social situations or communicate effectively, and the rhetoric behind ASD, Chaney and Hudenko paired the students with local autistic children for a collaborative, creative project that would serve as a culminating experience for the course.

"'We All Have Problems': OCD Awareness on Campus" by Christopher Cartwright, The Dartmouth. Oct. 11, 2017.

• About 2 percent of the U.S. population has OCD, whether they know it or not. That means that around 100 undergraduate students at Dartmouth may have this disorder. Speaking up about the actual facts around OCD and other mental health issues can help end the stigma that surrounds them.

 “Allen: The Changes We Keep” by Spencer Allen, The Dartmouth. July 16, 2021.

• Dartmouth must use lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve its post-pandemic teaching.

“Alum Spotlight: Maeve McBride ‘20 explores Disabilities through Art” by Gianna Totani, The Dartmouth. Oct. 21, 2021. 

• “Images of Disability,” on display at the Hood Museum, examines artistic representations of disability.  

“Moore: An Injured Morale” by Chelsea Moore, The Dartmouth. May 03, 2022.

• While the administration recently promised to reorient its focus toward student health, there are still some critical gaps in campus support systems. Despite the author’s love for the school, the illusion of care spread by certain professors and disability services is a disappointing aspect of Dartmouth.

“Look Who’s Talking: Linda Sullivan, Accessibility Compliance Officer” by Milea Keogh ‘25, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. July/Aug 2023. 

• Linda Sullivan, Accessibility Compliance Officer, answers questions about campus accessibility efforts.  

"Horses Help Disabled" by Michelle Mooradian, The Dartmouth. Aug. 06, 1993. 

• Two new programs supported by Dartmouth will use horses to provide natural therapy for those suffering from mental, emotional and physical disabilities. Challenge Camp, which is run at Dartmouth's Morton Farm, and High Horses, which is supported by College volunteers, expand the horizons of handicapped children and adults.  

“Volunteers Help Disabled Individuals Enjoy the Outdoors” by Carter Williams, The Dartmouth. Oct. 30, 1996.

• Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, formerly the Vermont Handicapped Ski and Sports Association, is a year-round nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sports and recreation to individuals with disabilities.

“Students work to save fired DDS worker” by Anna Parachkevova, The Dartmouth. Apr. 29, 2004.

• The unexpected firing of much-liked Dartmouth Dining Services employee Mitzi Nalette Tuesday night sparked a flurry of student e-mails protesting her dismissal and seeking to get her job back. Union president Earl Sweet said he is working on a grievance appeal that he will be filing as early as next Monday. As part of the appeal, Sweet will be citing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Accessibility Services lacking, students say” by Erin Jaeger, The Dartmouth. Jun. 01, 2009.

• In an effort to address concerns raised by multiple students that the College's Student Accessibility Services fails to provide students with disabilities the accommodations they need, a group of Dartmouth students presented a report to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity last Wednesday asking administrators to revise College accessibility policies.

“Accessibility is still a concern” by Ann Baum, The Dartmouth. Oct. 28, 2009. 

• Almost five months after the release of a student report arguing that the College's Accessibility Services Office fails to provide students with disabilities the accommodations they need, several students with physical disabilities said the College has made progress addressing their difficulties, while students with learning disabilities were critical of the quality of services they receive. The College has also worked to improve the Accessibility Services website and make other accessibility-related information more readily available.

“VERBUM ULTIMUM: Accommodating Change” by The Dartmouth Editorial Board, The Dartmouth. Oct. 29, 2009. 

• Last May, a group of Dartmouth students, frustrated with the College's Student Accessibility Services Office, presented a report to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity advising that revisions be made to the College's accessibility policy. These students argued in favor of increasing funding for Accessibility Services and improving guidelines for professors on how to best accommodate students. While [the Editorial Board] understands why acting Dean of the College Sylvia Spears has said that students may have to take on more responsibility for their disabilities in college than they were required to in high school, [the Editorial Board] also believe that it is the role of Accessibility Services to help ease this transition.

“Short Answer” by The Dartmouth Opinion Staff, The Dartmouth. Nov. 01, 2009. 

• Opinions on the responsibility of students and the college to improve campus for students with disabilities, given in light of the recent (spring 2009) committee formed by students to advise College administrators on disability-related issues.

“Student Organization strives for accessibility” by Eliza Relman, The Dartmouth. Jan. 27, 2010. 

• ABLE's goals include providing a peer-to-peer support network for students with disabilities, raising awareness about both visible and invisible disabilities, and improving College accommodations for these students by serving as a voice for the community. ABLE is planning a Feb. 25 panel, "Disabilities and Health Issues at Dartmouth” which will feature six students speaking about their personal experiences with disability or health-related issues.

“Students Review Accessibility Issues” by Sharla Grass, The Dartmouth. May 12, 2011.

• Although the College announced that it would create a new note-takers program, a more accessible design for College websites and workshops for faculty members about assisting students with disabilities throughout Spring term, these programs have not yet been instituted, Emily Broas '11, co-founder of Access by Leadership in Equality, said at an open forum hosted by the organization on Thursday evening.

“Panel Addresses Student Disabilities” by Michael Riordan, The Dartmouth. Feb. 15, 2012.

• Panelists stressed the importance of seeking assistance from the College's various health resources. They also encouraged their fellow students to understand the challenges others may face because of their respective disabilities and health-related issues, some of which may not be immediately visible.

"Rauner's Historical Accountability Fellows Examine Race, Disability and Intersectionality at Dartmouth" by Sarah Alpert, The Dartmouth. Feb. 08, 2019. 

• Starting in 2018, as part of Dartmouth’s plan for Inclusive Excellence, Rauner invited student fellows to research issues of diversity and inclusivity in the Rauner Special Collections archive. Samantha Koreman is researching the history of disability and accessibility at Dartmouth. 

“Accessibility at Dartmouth: A Five-year Effort” by Hannah Shariff, The Dartmouth. Jan. 6, 2022. 

• Student activists work with the administration to make Dartmouth’s campus more accessible to all students. One of these activists, Maeve McBride ‘20, explains how Access Dartmouth — a student club — formed to advise both the Dartmouth administration and the local community.  

“Student-founded Nonprofit FORT Pays for Students’ Mental Health Bills” by Angus Yip, The Dartmouth. Feb. 18, 2022. 

• FORT, a student-founded nonproft, is currently serving 12 Dartmouth students, according to founder Eva Yao ’23.

File: HANDICAPPED SPORTS 94X-96T
Tucker Foundation records
Series: PROGRAM HISTORIES AND SUMMARIES
Box: 1/84 - 12/04

• Includes fliers, brochures, memos, and email correspondence related to accessible sporting opportunities in the Upper-Valley. Many materials are aimed towards volunteers and program partners. Particularly, the folder contains information on the Vermont Handicapped Ski & Sports Association, which offers adaptive horseback riding, waterskiing, canoeing, camping, winter skiing, and camps. 

File: DARTMOUTH HANDICAP CUP
Dartmouth College, Outdoor Programs records
Series: SUBJECT FILES
Box: 1981- 1999

• Includes brief informational flier on the Dartmouth Handicap Cup (Feb. 20, 1983) sponsored by The Dartmouth Outing club, The Green Key Society, & the Dartmouth Skiway. The competition will be held on a two-run 40 second giant slalom course. Members of the New England Handicapped Ski Team will be among the competitors, and a $12 donation to the team is required to participate. Prizes will be provided by local merchants. 

“A Tennis Champ on Wheels” by Jon Kohl ‘92, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. June 1992. 

• With only two years' experience, Alie Mann '95 won the B Division doubles of the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championship.

“Friday's Community Dinner inspired by film premiere” by Susannah Maurer, The Dartmouth. Nov. 04, 1998. 

• The year's first Community Dinner will take place this Friday and will commence with a special preview showing of the movie "Vietnam Long Time Coming." Instead, it is the true account of a 1,200 mile cycling journey across the country of Vietnam by American and Vietnamese men and women which began Jan. 1 of this year. Most of the participants are now physically disabled in some way as a result of their participation in the Vietnam War.

“'Vietnam' is powerful, if lacking in production value” by Susannah Maurer, The Dartmouth. Nov. 06, 1998. 

• “Vietnam Long Time Coming" captures with intensity and poignancy the emotionally charged journey of a group of Vietnamese and American, disabled and able-bodied veterans on a 1200 mile cycling journey across Vietnam. The documentary was financed through the collaboration of World T.E.A.M. (The Exceptional Athlete Matters) Sports and Sports Illustrated Television. 

“Billmeier ‘99 speaks about disabled athletes” by Andrea Haffty, The Dartmouth. Nov. 09, 1998. 

• Sarah Billmeier '99, a three-time medal recipient in the Paralympics as a member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, spoke about her experience as a disabled athlete at Friday's Community dinner, "Disabled Athletes and Extreme Sports Challenges.” Following the dinner, participants viewed "Vietnam Long Time Coming," a documentary film on the Vietnam Challenge ride.

 “Skiway hosts Special Olympics” by The Dartmouth. Jan. 2008.

• The sixth annual Upper Valley Special Olympics at the Dartmouth Skiway was inaugurated on Saturday. More than 100 athletes competed in the day's events, whose volunteer staff included 169 Dartmouth students. The event is organized by a 25 member management team, which includes three Dartmouth students, all of whom have worked with the program since matriculating at the College.

“Daily Debriefing” by Emma Fidel and Katie Gonzalez, The Dartmouth. May 11, 2009.

• The Tucker Foundation's Special Olympics organization hosted its fifth annual Upper Valley Summer Olympics Games on Saturday, according to event chair Kyle Sherry '09.

“Games Changers” by Lisa Furlong, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Jan/Feb 2010. 

• Alums have long been contenders in Paralympic competition. They’re also involved behind the scenes.

 “Special Olympics draw record athlete turnout” by The Dartmouth. Jan. 2011.

• It was 10 degrees below zero outside the McLane Family Lodge at the Dartmouth Skiway, the location of the ninth annual Special Olympics Upper Valley Regional Winter Games on Saturday. Over 130 athletes, the largest group in the program's history, traveled to the Skiway and between 150 and 200 Dartmouth students volunteered for the annual Games this past weekend.

“Skiway hosts Special Olympics for 11th year” by Hannah Wang, The Dartmouth. Feb. 03, 2013.

• Over 90 athletes across 13 teams and over 120 supporters gathered at the skiway for the annual Upper Valley Winter Special Olympics on Saturday. Athlete participation decreased by 20 percent this year from a usual number of around 120 athletes. This year's low turnout may be due to time conflicts with other Winter Special Olympic games in the area.

“Dartmouth, town host Special Olympics meet” by Axel Hufford and Ashley Ulrich, The Dartmouth. May 12, 2013.

• Participants walked, ran, jumped and threw as they competed in the ninth annual Upper Valley Special Olympic Games on Saturday, hosted by the College and the town of Hanover. The games, with roughly 70 athletes from seven teams around the Upper Valley, ran smoothly despite bad weather.

“Winter Special Olympics brings 113 athletes to Skiway” by Rebecca Rowland, The Dartmouth. Jan. 26, 2014.

• Students and athletes came together under a blazing torch for the opening ceremonies of the 12th annual Winter Special Olympics, held at the Dartmouth Skiway on Saturday. The event’s 113 athletes competed in snowshoeing events as well as beginner, intermediate and advanced alpine skiing and snowboarding races.

“College hosts Special Olympics” by Roshan Dutta, The Dartmouth. May 11, 2014.

• Around 80 athletes competed, supported one another and celebrated their accomplishments during this year’s Hanover area summer games, held Saturday at Leverone Field House and the Upper Valley Aquatic Center. The Hanover Area games qualify athletes for the 45th New Hampshire Summer Games, which will be held at the University of New Hampshire in Durham later this month.

“72 participate in Special Olympics Upper Valley Winter Games” by Paulomi Rao, The Dartmouth. Jan. 24, 2016. 

• Volunteers and participants began this year’s 14th annual Annual Upper Valley Winter Games, a part of the Special Olympics, at the Dartmouth Skiway on Saturday. Seventy-two athletes along with dozens of sponsors and spectators from across New Hampshire and Vermont gathered to watch athletes participate in varying levels of skiing and snowboard competition.

“Athletes compete at summer Special Olympics” by Raul Rodriguez, The Dartmouth. May 16, 2016.

• This past Saturday, 80 Special Olympics athletes from the Upper Valley competed in the 2016 Upper Valley Area Summer Games. The games — which consisted of bocce, aquatic events and track and field at the College’s Karl Michael Pool and Hanover High School— were overseen by the Special Olympics Upper Valley Area Committee. Around 15 Dartmouth students participated as volunteers, with three students as volunteer organizers and one as head coordinator. Two members of Dartmouth Emergency Medical Services volunteered at the event.

“Eric Lemieux wins Special Olympics medal” by Mika Jehoon Lee, The Dartmouth. Apr. 07, 2017.

• When Dartmouth Dining Services employee Eric Lemieux was not at work last winter, he trained six days a week to prepare for three different snowshoeing events in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. After 12 days of competition in the Games, the world-class athlete returned to the College on March 30 with a bronze medal, a sixth place ribbon and a participation ribbon.

“Students and community volunteer in Special Olympics” by Grayce Gibbs, The Dartmouth. Jan. 29, 2019.

• Over 75 athletes gathered at the Dartmouth Skiway for the 17th annual Upper Valley Special Olympics on Jan. 26. This year, 140-plus total volunteers – over 75 of them Dartmouth students – supported the athletes.

“No Limits”  by Chris Quirk, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Sep/Oct 2022. 

• Our paralympic skiers are more than inspirational. They’re also outstanding athletes. The College’s illustrious history in Paralympic skiing features eight alpine and Nordic skiers through the past three decades. 

“AAAS 35.02/WGGS 66.27: Disability and Madness in African American Literature and Film” Dartmouth Course Catalog. 

• Disability and madness are often overlooked analytic and lived experience in African American Studies and African American criticism, though recent work in Black disability studies is shifting this. The goal of this course is to pull disability and madness to the center of course readings to understand the complexities of Black life, such as: grief, sexuality and gender identity, geography, and the impact of incarceration and institutionalization.

“EDUC 13: Disability in Children’s Literature”  Dartmouth Course Catalog. 

• In this course, students will explore how disability is represented in contemporary children’s literature for middle-grade readers. Can children’s books be used to learn and teach about disability? Are students with disabilities represented accurately in children’s books? Are they portrayed as having equal educational opportunities? 

“ENGL 55.17: Disability and Literature” Dartmouth Course Catalog. 

• This course introduces students to an emerging canon of literary autobiography and criticism devoted to the experience of disability. Critical works read in this course will cover such issues as physical access, ableism, neurotypicality, deaf political activism, and intersections of disability and other categories of identity such as race, class, gender, and sexuality. 

“THEA 10.34/WGGS 66.25: Disability Arts and Activism” Dartmouth Course Catalog.

• "Disability Arts and Activism" examines radical disability resistance through the lens of culture and performance to ask the central question: how does disability art make cultural change? Students will learn a history of disability activism as well as the impacts of disability policy and politics across the stage and streets.

THE CLASS OF 1964 POLICY RESEARCH SHOP IMPROVING SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSITION SERVICES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE May 02, 2021

• This report was written by undergraduate students at Dartmouth College under the direction of professors in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center. Policy Research Shop (PRS) students produce non-partisan policy analyses and present their findings in a non-advocacy manner. The transition from special education to adult services for students with disabilities can be abrupt and is often undertaken without full consideration of the needs, aspirations, and abilities of students. This report to the Education and Workforce Development Committee of the New Hampshire Senate explores ways to enhance transition programming in the state.

“College fails Ruderman Family Foundation white paper mental health assessment” by Kyle Mullins, The Dartmouth. Jan. 15, 2019. 

• In a recent study focusing on the eight Ivy League schools, Dartmouth earned an “F” for its leave of absence policies in a new white paper — a paper that seeks to explain an issue and persuade readers of the authors’ philosophy — from the Ruderman Family Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation that advocates for disability rights. The white paper accuses the Ivy League as a whole of “failing to lead the sector of higher education in supporting students with mental health disabilities.”

“'It felt very much like a punishment': Medical leave at Dartmouth” by Aleka Kroitzsh, The Dartmouth. Feb. 07, 2020. 

• The College’s medical withdrawal policy states that in cases where students “experience health issues that significantly impact their ability to function,” they will either be able to apply for voluntary medical withdrawal, or be subjected to mandatory medical withdrawal. A recent study by the Ruderman Family Foundation criticizes policies such as not being allowed to return to campus while on leave on grounds of causing social isolation. It also advocated for better accommodations on campus, citing the Americans with Disabilities Act, which states that students with disabilities are entitled to on campus accommodations. 

“Khan: For the Love of God, Do Anything” by Attiya Khan, The Dartmouth. May 24, 2021. 

• Argument against the College's medical withdrawal policy, considering the mental health crisis on campus during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“Dartmouth mental health resources prove insufficient to manage rise in mental health struggles” by Soleil Gaylord and Arielle Feuerstein, The Dartmouth. Jul. 16, 2021. 

• An investigation by The Dartmouth has found that the College has room for reform in its mental health policies after pandemic isolation and three freshman suicides.

“Student Government calls for changes to medical leave policy” by Isabelle Han, The Dartmouth. Mar. 07, 2023. 

• Amid ongoing talks with the College, DSG has proposed multiple changes to the current voluntary and involuntary leave process, including allowing students on leave to continue using College resources.

“New Policy for Time Away for Medical Reasons” by Provost David Kotz ‘86. Sept. 14, 2023. 

• Announcement of new Time Away policy. The revised policy expands support and resources for students and protects the right of all students (graduate, professional, and undergraduate) to take time away for medical reasons. The policy also provides guidelines for Dartmouth to administer the policy consistently and equitably. 

“College updates medical leave policy, effective January 2024” by Amadea Datel, The Dartmouth. Sep. 14, 2023. 

• The new policy, renamed from the “medical leave policy” to the “time away for medical reasons policy,” expands support and resources for students taking time off.

“Dartmouth Updates Policy on Time Away for Medical Reasons” by the Dartmouth Office of the President. Sep. 14, 2023. 

• In a message to the Dartmouth community on Thursday, Provost David Kotz '86 announced changes to the policy for students taking time away for medical reasons.

“Verbum Ultimum: A Step in the Right Direction” by The Dartmouth Editorial Board, The Dartmouth. Sep. 22, 2023. 

• The College’s new time away for medical reasons policy includes excellent changes that will benefit students, but in practice, some provisions may still put students at risk.

“Policy: Time Away From Dartmouth For Medical Reasons” Dartmouth Time Away. Jan. 02, 2024. 

• Updated time away from Dartmouth for medical reasons policy and general institutional process statement, effective January 2, 2024. 

According to the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning, “The Accessible Dartmouth Initiative, a collaboration between The Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning, Student Accessibility Services, and Learning Design and Innovation (ITC) began as a three-year pilot program designed to strengthen Dartmouth's educational model to better meet the needs of neurodiverse learners and help all students succeed in the classroom.”

Accessible Dartmouth Initiative 

• Homepage for the Accessible Dartmouth Initiative (2021) via the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning website. 

ADI Grant 

• ADI supports faculty incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into Dartmouth courses with the goal of better meeting the needs of all students. This course redesign grant engages faculty to incorporate UDL interventions identified in a UDL Institute into a current or new course.

Catalyzing Change: A Year of Progress and inclusion with the Accessible Dartmouth Initiative

• A recap of the work of ADI in its first year, and the future goals of the initiative. 

Dartmouth UDL Grantee Case Studies

• Previous UDL grantee projects. 

Universal Design for Learning Institute 

• The national organization CAST defines Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as "a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn." ADI aims to help faculty integrate UDL into their courses.

“In the eye of the storm: SAT faces scrutiny from many” by Sabrina Peric, The Dartmouth. Feb. 13, 2002. 

• The SAT, owned by the College Board, has faced severe criticism about its viability, particularly in the past year. The University of California chipped further away at the legitimacy of the SAT with its recommendation last month to not consider the aptitude test in admissions. Bates found that the students who applied without testing were those who tend to fare comparatively less well on standardized tests -- women, minorities, rural and working class students, immigrants and students with learning disabilities.

“ACT stops flagging untimed tests” by Alison Schmauch, The Dartmouth. Aug. 09, 2002. 

• The American College Test ended the flagging of test score reports for students who take the test without a time limit last Friday. Formerly, students who have documented learning disabilities such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder were allowed to have special accommodations during the test.

“Reactivating the SAT/ACT requirement for Dartmouth undergraduate admissions” by Sian Leah Beilock, the Dartmouth Office of the President. Feb. 05, 2024. 

• Informed by new research, Dartmouth will reactivate the standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admission beginning with applicants to the Class of 2029.

“Paolini, Pehl, and Caldwell: In Conversations about Standardized Tests, Don’t Forget Disability” by Samantha Pehl, Marion Caldwell, and Clark Paolini, The Dartmouth. Feb. 13, 2024. 

• “By ignoring student voices, President Sian Leah Beilock completely failed to consider disabled students.” Members of Access Dartmouth, a student group dedicated to student accessibility, write to oppose President Sian Leah Beilock’s decision to reinstate the standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admissions.

“Carrasco, Abrego, and Tilahun: Reinstate the Test Optional Policy” by Olvin Abrego Ayala, Hosaena Tilahun, and Alejandra Carrasco Alayo, The Dartmouth. Feb. 13, 2024. 

• “Dartmouth must take actionable steps in conversation and consultation with BIPOC and a diversity of students when crafting relevant policies affecting underrepresented minorities.” A coalition of Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latiné, first-generation, international, individuals with disabilities and working-class organizations and students on this campus express our dissatisfaction towards the recent repeal of Dartmouth’s test-optional policy and the reinstatement of required standardized testing.

“Structural Changes in Institutional Diversity and Equity” by the Office of Communications. Apr. 23, 2023.

• The Equity and Compliance Office will now be known as the Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX Office. Despite the name change, its function remains the same: The group addresses matters related to the Americans With Disabilities Act, affirmative action programs, and Title IX—the law that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs—as well other issues broadly related to discrimination and harassment.