The Office of Student Accessibility Services in the Brownsville Campus Emilio Suarez / Vaquero Radio
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is a resource for UTRGV students that have disabilities that may need assistance.
Student Accessibility Services Assistant Director Jaine Villarreal said the department works to support students with a wide range of needs including developmental and mental health conditions.
“The different types of disabilities that we see at SAS, we have ADHD, autism, learning disabilities,” Villarreal said. “We have also mental health disabilities, schizophrenia, anxiety, major depression disorder and we also have physical disabilities and temporary disabilities.”
While developmental disabilities are present on campus, Villarreal said they are not the most common cases SAS sees. She said students with developmental disabilities can face a number of challenges in the university.
“They might have issues with time management, they might have issues with taking notes, ” she said “they might learn better if they’re hearing versus reading on a hardcover, Sometimes PDF or audiobooks might be better.”
To address these barriers, student accessibility services provide academic accommodations which are designed to create equal access to programs, course materials and campus activities.
Villareal said the goal is to ensure students with disabilities can have the same college experience as everyone else.
Students who need support can apply through the SAS portal and submit documentation before meeting with an access coordinator.
Villarreal said students should not feel hesitant to ask for help.
“Don’t be hesitant to ask for help, departments like student accessibility services exist for that reason, we’re here to help you navigate your academic journey, ” she said.
A local organization has spent decades helping children with developmental disabilities and their families access support and services.
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley Executive Director Patricia Rosenlund said the organization focuses on childhood programs and support for families.
“The most important program for children with developmental delay or any kind of disability is our early childhood intervention program,” Rosenlund said.
She said early intervention can make a major difference in long term outcome for children.
The executive director said through the program, therapists work directly with families in their homes to support children’s development.
Rosenlund also emphasized respectful language when discussing disabilities.
“When you refer to a person with a disability, you refer to them as a person first,” she said. “Just like none of us would want to be labeled by one of our physical characteristics.”
Students can find the student accessibility services offices at BMSLC 1.107 for Brownsville and the Learning Center for Edinburg from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 882- 7374.
