Michigan State University demonstrates international leadership in providing the latest disability technology, resources and services through its Signature Programs at the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. These programs, made possible with the support of dedicated staff, generous donors and committed volunteers, exemplify our mission to maximize ability and opportunity for students, faculty and staff. For more information about our donors and how you can contribute, visit our Make a Gift page.
Accessible Textbooks/Media
- Policy and guidelines for accessing alternative format materials
- Braille, tactile images and electronic textbook production
- Video captioning services
- Complimentary services for eligible students
- Cost recovery production for other institutions
- The production of accessible materials takes time. Ideally, materials need to be sent to RCPD 2 weeks prior to when students need them for class.
Building Opportunities for Networking and Discovery (BOND) for Students with Autism
- Offers extensive opportunities for social and communication development for students with ASDs
- Creates opportunities to connect with other students through social outings, workshops and mentoring
Careers & Employment
- Guidance on career and employment issues
- Job search websites and disability accommodation resources
Edith Moore Squires Vision & Resilience
- The Edith Moore Squires Endowment provides funding to expand and promote ability and help students envision their highest potential.
- Funding from the program and new staffing from the Gilbert family are leading new programming in the areas of health, wellness and resiliency including a new 1-credit course for first year students, intent on starting strong at MSU.
Promoting Educational & Emotional Resilience (PEER)
Weekly psychoeducational workshops to help students develop resiliency skills utilizing techniques derived from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), and Acceptance & Commitment (ACT) therapies, Mindfulness and Resiliency training in collaboration with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).
Engineering Design Day Partnership
- Accessibility demonstration projects that address disability challenges and raise awareness
- Collaborative partnership between The MSU RCPD and College of Engineering with corporate and donor support
Runge Family Endowment for Students with Learning Differences
- The Runge Family Endowment for Students with Learning Differences recognizes the role RCPD plays in welcoming students, reassuring families, and advancing successes for students growing through challenges.
- This endowment will assist students with learning differences through the funding of important programming aimed at providing structure, learning strategies, and academic tutoring.
Stern Tutoring and Alternative Techniques for Education (STATE) Program for Students with Learning Disabilities
- Endowed program established by Mickey and Debbie Stern to support students with learning disabilities
- Provides a structured seminar, peer mentoring, and tutoring
First-Year Programming: Starting Strong with Health, Wellness, and Resiliency
RCPD runs two opportunities for first year students to start strong and feel supported during their first year at MSU:
UGS 110 is a credit-bearing freshman seminar course designed to introduce students to social and academic life at the University, providing a small-group experience to support student transition. Each Fall, RCPD Abiilty Access Specialists teach a section of UGS 110 that focuses on health, wellness, and resiliency at MSU.
Building Opportunities for Networking and Discovery (BOND) offers structured opportunities for social and communication development for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other similar diagnoses. For first year students specifically, BOND offers a freshman/transfer Transitions Program and Fall Seminar.
Community Groups
Since Fall 2020, students from RCPD have been gathering virtually to support each other. Students have been navigating the pandemic, constant changes in University operations, and disability impacts, all while managing academics, personal life, and work. While there is much support to be accessed at MSU, peer support is an unmatched resource. Community Groups were created for RCPD students to come together and discuss topics relevant to their experiences.
Conversations often include navigating disability, online learning/return to in-person learning, dealing with challenging family/relationship situations, social isolation and other topics that students want to address. Groups aim to foster community building, cooperation, and peer support and are facilitated by RCPD specialists with co-facilitation from MSU student peers. Contact your Ability Access Specialist to learn about current groups.