Disability Service Use and Community College Student Outcomes

Community college students with disabilities comprise approximately 20% of undergraduate enrollment, yet research on institutional supports for this population remains limited. This study examined relationships between disability services use and student engagement, perceived skill development, and perceived career development using the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) 2021–2023 cohort. We employed structural equation modeling while controlling for demographic characteristics to measure potential relationships at both the student and school levels. This analysis found that students who used disability services at least once reported significantly higher CCSSE Engagement benchmark scores (β = 7.86, p < .001), perceived skill development (β = 0.05, p < .001), and perceived career development (β = 0.04, p < .001) compared to non-users. Black, Hispanic, female, and first-generation students also reported higher outcomes across all domains. These findings provide evidence supporting institutional investment in disability services and suggest strategies for increasing service utilization to promote student success at community colleges.