April 22, 2025

College Station Enhances Accessibility for Students

News Summary

College Station is making significant improvements in accessibility for students at Texas A&M University. With around 6,000 students needing special accommodations, the disability services center plans to renovate a building to create dedicated testing facilities, ensuring better support for students. Meanwhile, the community is addressing vehicle damages from a recent hailstorm and preparing for future educational events, reflecting a strong commitment to collaboration and inclusion.

College Station’s Commitment to Accessibility and Community Support

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, College Station is taking significant strides to ensure that all students feel supported and included. Texas A&M University is responding to a growing need for *accessible testing facilities* for students registered with their disability services center. Presently, around 6,000 students have been identified as needing special accommodations, which has prompted a much-needed change in campus resources.

The director of the disability services center, Kristie Orr, has announced plans for a major makeover of a west campus building. The current testing arrangements have had to stretch quite thin, as the existing space accommodates only 96 students. With increasing requests for accommodations, many test administrators have been forced to conduct assessments in *conference rooms* and even the *Memorial Student Center*. The remodeling efforts will transform an open access computer lab on the first floor of the business library into a more equipped testing area, featuring:

Two private rooms for individualized testing needs
Three large areas that can seat up to 123 students

As part of Texas A&M’s innovative approach, faculty members will take on new responsibilities as liaisons, bridging the gap between students requiring accommodations and the center’s case workers. Each case worker will manage approximately 500-600 students, a task designed to foster better communication and ensure that students’ needs are met efficiently. This initiative stems directly from recommendations made by A&M’s president.

A significant date is approaching for the disability services center, with plans to transition to a new data management system on or around May 16. Orr, alongside faculty senate speaker Angie Hill Price, has also expressed concerns regarding a rising number of students failing courses and requesting accommodations as finals week looms on the horizon.

County Commissioners Step Up for Vehicle Repairs

29 vehicles sustained damage, prompting urgency among county commissioners to address repair costs. A budget amendment of $130,000 was approved on April 15 to cover insurance deductibles related to the damages, with individual repair costs per vehicle ranging between $2,000 and over $11,000.

Commissioner Fred Brown noted that the county could save on $1,000 deductibles for each vehicle through smart financial amendments. The county’s insurance risk manager, Leslie Contreras, elaborated on the process, explaining that the county pays for repair bills upfront and only submits claims to the insurance carrier without the deductible in a bid to keep premiums stable.

Public Safety and Education Update

14-year-old that occurred roughly ten years ago. Following a DNA match linked to an unrelated investigation, he has been held in the Brazos County jail since October of last year, simultaneously awaiting trial for four felonies.

Celebrating Achievements and Future Opportunities

In College Station, the community continues to display resilience and dedication to fostering an inclusive environment. As efforts unfold to enhance accessibility in education and beyond, there’s a palpable sense of optimism and collaboration in the air.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Leadership Change at Bryan High School
Texas A&M Enhances Support for Students with Disabilities
Legal Developments and Community Updates in College Station
Harvard University Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
Tragic Incident in Bryan: Officer on Leave After Dog Shooting
Brazos Valley Faces Rising Food Prices and Increased Food Insecurity
Tragic Hostage Situation Ends in Triumph in College Station
College Station ISD Proposes Extended Class Day for CTE
Texas A&M Hosts Entrepreneur Networking Event
Gas Prices Surge: What’s the Situation in Your City?

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Submit