There is very little existing literature which differentiates the needs of graduate students with disabilities from undergraduate students with disabilities. As a result, there are too few studies that provide evidence for how to best support the academic, professional, and personal success of graduate students in their multifaceted roles as scholars, researchers, and instructors.

Initiated as part of the Year Four DEI plan, the Rackham Graduate Students with Disabilities Needs Assessment included both a mixed-methods survey of hundreds of graduate students as well as qualitative data from numerous focus groups. Based on this information, the committee conducting the study released a report with a number of recommendations for how both U-M central administration and Rackham can improve support and services for graduate students with disabilities on our campus.