Going to college is hard enough, between attending classes, homework, clubs, activities, and sometimes even a job—now imagine going through that process with a disability or neurodivergence disorder. How well does Rowan handle accommodations? As a student with a few accommodations, I have to say I’m impressed. I’ve been to multiple colleges and universities over the years (I think I’m up to six now), and in my opinion, Rowan University is one of the best.
The process is fairly straightforward. The student submits an application for accommodations, provides medical documentation of the diagnosis, and is approved shortly thereafter for whatever accommodations they need—be it more time on tests, more missed days than typically allowed, a student volunteer who accompanies them around campus and in classes, or countless others.
Every accommodation is meant to level the playing field, so we have the best chance for success: just like the rest of Rowan’s student population.
In general, the professors are extremely understanding of the situation and compliant with the accommodations. If a discrepancy arises regarding what the accommodations entail, there’s typically a meeting with the student and teacher plus someone from The Rowan Office of Accessibility Services (OAS).
“We reach out to the professor, and we schedule a meeting…with professors and students to clarify accommodations,” said John Woodruff, the senior director of accessibility services and ADA coordinator for Rowan University.
OAS is full of empathetic people who know what the struggle is like. Twenty-year-old junior Allan Wylie, who is majoring in sports communication, can attest to that. For clarification, Wylie is visually impaired.
“The people at OAS have been very supportive, you know, Noah Weinstein, John Woodruff…John Woodruff’s the best…I’d say [OAS has] been very good for me since day one,” said Wylie, who can confirm the beautifully comprehensive campus-wide accommodative adaptations.
“The audible crosswalks are awesome…I love the stuff they have here…they do a very good job…[OAS] helped us find student volunteers, [too],” said Wylie. He has only one minor bone to pick with Rowan: a volunteer must help him do his laundry because it’s one of the few things on campus that is not accessible.
“Really, the student [volunteers] are always very prompt, very on time…they are always eager to help, which is also a nice sight to see…I really [have] nothing but good things to say about them,” said Wylie.
According to Wylie, the professors support his success by providing all PowerPoints, PDFs, and papers when he needs them and maintaining excellent communication.
“The professors I’ve had are all wonderful human beings. You know, whenever I need to talk with them, they’re more than happy to schedule a meeting or talk after class…very accommodating…really the communication that I’ve developed with them has been a lifesaver,” said Wylie.
That said, we aren’t the only students receiving accommodations. In fact, more than 4,000 students are registered with accessibility services—that’s roughly 20% of the student body.
“[Something] that students need to know in college with…disability [is] you have to get comfortable asking for help in real time…[taking the] uncomfortable step to reach out to us or to tutoring…or going up to professor after class when they have their office hours,” said Woodruff.
But OAS isn’t just for people who have physical disabilities or painful invisible disabilities. There are also a large number of students with neurodivergent conditions or disorders that make up a chunk of the accommodation-seekers. According to Rowan’s Blog, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and dyslexia make up the majority of accommodative needs.
“[We work] with students…[who have] non-apparent disabilities, neurodivergent students—we have a lot of students…[who] would be under that umbrella [of] neurodivergent. ADHD, learning disability, nonverbal learning disorder, autism, and then students with depression, anxiety, migraine conditions…it’s a real small world, you know…a lot of the disability medical conditions, professors may have that same disability or someone in their family does,” said Woodruff.
Living with a condition, difference, disorder, or disability can be a tough road in and of itself. Having advocates within the Rowan family makes life much easier. It’s relieving to know we have someone in our corner, someone to back us up when there’s any level of discrimination. Rowan is home to me and so many others like me for the very fact that they have unparalleled accommodation services.
“[I considered]…Central Michigan University, and Ball State…the thing that stuck out to me about Rowan is…[that] the accessibility people here…made you feel like you’re at home. The students here [accepted] me for who I was…I’m glad I’m here…[I] don’t think I would have gotten the help that I’m getting now at any other school,” said Wyley.
