Research

Since its inception in 1948, the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services has sought to advance the educational, social, psychological, and vocational participation of persons with disabilities through the collaborative promotion, provision, and/or pursuit of innovative accommodative and educational services, and interdisciplinary disability research. DRES has a rich and storied history of programmatic firsts in interdisciplinary disability research, many of which resulted from the applied disability research and/or educational outreach of its faculty and staff. Below are links to current research and outreach initiatives in which DRES personnel are engaged, as well as selective examples of their presentations and publications.

Knowledge Center

Research Projects & Programs

Recent Presentations

  • Hedrick, B. (2010) Integrating research and practice: The Illinois model serving students with disabilities. See the presentation here.
  • Gunderson, J. (2010) Athletic rivalries and web accessibility: Who is in the sweet 16 this year? Educause Conference poster session on October 13, 2010. See the presentation here.
  • Hedrick, B. (2009). Access and opportunities for students with disabilities. University of Illinois Board of Trustees meeting on March 9, 2009.

Recent Publications

  • Malik, P.B., Anton, T. (2013). Supporting students with significant physical disabilities: The Illinois model. Journal of College and University Student Housing, Special Issue.
  • Hedrick, B.N., Stumbo, N.J., Martin, J.K., Nordstrom, D.L., Martin, L.G., & Morrill, J.L. (2012). Personal assistant support for students with severe physical disabilities in postsecondary education: Results of a national survey. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 25(2), 161-177.
  • Martin, J.K., Stumbo, N.J., Hedrick, B.N., Collins, K.D., Nordstrom, D., Peterson, M., & Martin, L.G. (2011). Recruitment of students with disabilities: Exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 24(4), 285-299.
  • Hedrick, B., Dizen, M., Collins, K., Evans, J., & Grayson, T. (2010). Perceptions of college students with and without disabilities and effects of STEM and non-STEM enrollment on student engagement and institutional involvement. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 23(2), 129-136.
  • Lee, M., Zhu, W., Hedrick, B., & Fernhall, B. (2010). Determining metabolic equivalent values of physical activities for persons with paraplegia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 32(4), 336-343.
  • Stumbo, N. J., Martin, J. K., & Hedrick, B. N. (2009). Assistive technology: Impact on education, employment, and independence of individuals with physical disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 30(2), 99-110.
  • Stumbo, N. J., Martin, J. K., & Hedrick, B. N. (2009). Personal assistance for students with severe physical disabilities in postsecondary education: Is it the deal breaker? Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 30(1), 11-20.
  • Stumbo, N.J., Lindahl-Lewis, P., & Blegen, A. (2008). Two mentorship case studies of high school and university students with disabilities: Milestones and lessons. Journal of Rehabilitation, 74(3), 45.
  • Burke, M., Hedrick, B., Ouelette, S, and Thompson, T. (2008). Developing accountability metrics for students with disabilities in higher education: Determining critical questions. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 21(1), 42-54.
  • Fernhall, B., Heffernan, K., Jae, S.Y., & Hedrick, B. (2008). Health implications of physical activity in individuals with spinal cord injury: A literature review. Journal of Health and Human Service Administration, 30(4), 468-502.
  • Collins, K., Hedrick, B. & Stumbo, N. (2007). Comprehensive postsecondary transitional support services for persons with severe physical disabilities and/or psychological disabilities: The University of Illinois approach. Available free online.
  • Gunderson, Jon, & Hoyt, Nicholas (2007) “Tools for Testing Functional Web Accessibility”, Proceedings of the 2007 Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference, Los Angeles, CA.