A National Look at Shifts in Disability Self-Identification for Students Enrolled in Higher Education

Utilizing data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study 2012/2017 dataset, this study examined disability self-identification during the first 3 years of postsecondary education in a nationally representative sample of students in the United States. Findings revealed that nearly 10% of undergraduate students enrolling in higher education identified as having a disability status at some point during the first 3 years of their postsecondary coursework. Students who identified as having a disability tended to be older and less likely to be dependents, more likely to be enrolled full-time, living on campus, and less likely to perceive a positive sense of belonging within their campus environment.