Hofstra is one college campus that gives students with disabilities the support and accommodations they need. They even have their own program called Student Access Services (SAS). The program is meant to hone in on individual student needs, so that they can excel in their careers.
Rachel Gross suffers from nemaline myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy. She has utilized the help of SAS to make college life easier. Rachel says that SAS was one of the main reasons she even decided to go to Hofstra in the first place. She had heard some horror stories about people with disabilities in other schools having a really difficult time navigating throughout the campus.
College is a difficult time but imagine how hard it must be for someone who is wheelchair-stricken. Hofstra’s SAS program addresses these challenges.
“SAS has impacted my education at Hofstra in ways I can never thank them enough for,” she said in an interview with the hofstra chronicle. “Having someone who understands your needs and will do everything in their power to make sure you get what you need is helpful beyond words. I honestly don’t know where I would be without them.”
Nemaline myopathy is an extremely rare genetic muscle disorder with a total of six clinical subtypes. Some are life-threatening, others are less severe. It is characterized by muscle weakness, diminished muscle tone and reduced or absent reflexes. To learn more, click here.
SAS offers a test scribing program that allows students with disabilities to have their own scribe, reader, or proctor while they are taking tests. The scribe fills in the answers, the reader reads the questions and the proctor watches over the entire process. The staff is made up of student volunteers.
Though SAS is helpful, Rachel admits that there are elements which can be improved upon. For starters, there are limited options for accessibility within dorms. There is only one residence hall that accommodates her needs with an elevator and wheelchair accessible rooms. But this is just a small bump in the road and she is very grateful for what Hofstra has to offer.
