Demographic data collected addressed the research questions: (1) Has the student population at the OU/ODS changed over a ten-year period? (2) How do characteristics of students from OU/ODS compare with other postsecondary institutions? (3) The relationships between variables influencing students' GPA and graduation rate? (4) Do higher frequency of services from the OU/ODS affect students' GPA and graduation rate? (5) Do types of services influence students' GPA and graduation rate? (6) Do types of services change, as students remain longer at the university? (7) Do types of disabilities influence types and frequency of services requested?

Findings from this study demonstrated that while the total OU student population had increased from 1991 to 2001, the total population of OU students with disabilities receiving services had increased more significantly. Other findings included that students with learning disabilities are the largest group requesting and receiving services with the second highest group being students with attention deficit disorders. Overall male students with disabilities completing the intake process out-numbered female students with disabilities for six of the 10 years. OU students with learning disabilities requested services at a lower rate compared to one national study for 1996--1997 academic year (AY) and about equal in the second national study compared for AY 1997--1998. Gender was the only variable that affected OU student's GPA or graduation rate. The frequency or types of services appeared to have no affect on GPA and graduation rate. The majority of OU students with disabilities did request services for only one semester or requested no changes in services. Students who requested services increased the amount of services received. Finally the type of disability and frequency of visits appeared to be significant only for OU students with hearing impairments.

The purpose of this study was two-fold (a) to perform a first time records review and data analysis and (b) to create a comprehensive view of the past and present support services provided to students with disabilities at the University of Oklahoma. The research design adopted in this study used historical quantitative methods from data gathered from the University of Oklahoma, Office of Disability Services (OU/ODS) student files. Data were gathered from 867 individual files of students who requested and received services from the OU/ODS during 1991 to 2001 school years.