The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 39, No. 2 & Volume 40, No. 1 - 183

The Illinois Model

come together with a common purpose and
open minds, residents with and without disabilities are best served and have more opportunities to meet, learn, and develop within
their residence hall environment. Examples
of this include co-advising integrated student
groups, serving on-call rotations together, or
participating in joint staff training. Ultimately
it is about building relationships and working
toward a shared vision. Believing in the shared
vision makes all the meetings, discussions,
and work worthwhile.
There is a Chinese proverb that states,
“Those who say it cannot be done should not
interrupt the person doing it.” Many of the
BRSS residents, past and present, have been
told throughout their lives that they couldn’t do
something; yet, when given the right support
and opportunities, they have proved their
critics wrong. The unique partnership between
University Housing and BRSS provides further
support and opportunities for those with severe
disabilities on the Illinois campus, allowing
them to continue to prove their critics wrong.
It has taken years of building a foundation of
relationships, communication, and trust, but a
true campus partnership is the result of Beckwith Residential Support Services being integrated into University Housing at Illinois. This
foundation will continue to support accessible
and inclusive residential environments on the
Illinois campus. It also provides a model for
other colleges and universities to see what the
possibilities might be on their own campuses.

REFERENCES
Brault, M. W. (2008). Americans with disabilities:
2005 household economic studies. Retrieved from
https://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/
p70-117.pdf
Guralnik, J. H. (2006). Aspects of disability across
the life span: Risk factors for disability in late life.
In M. J. Field, A. M. Jette, & L. Martin, (Eds.),
The workshop in America: A new look (pp. 157-165).
Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Hedrick, B., Stumbo, N., Martin, J., Martin, L., Nordstrom, D., & Morrill, J. (2012). Personal assistant
support for students with severe physical disabilities in postsecondary education: Results of a national survey. Journal of Postsecondary Education
and Disability, 25(2), 161-177.
Kaye, H. S. (2003). Improved employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Washington, DC:
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
Kennedy, J., LaPlante, M., & Kaye, H. (1997). Need
for assistance in the activities of daily living. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research.
Lewis, P. (Ed.). (2007). Celebration of success: The Beckwith experience—Memories of the past and present.
Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois.
University of Illinois. (2011a). Beckwith residential
support services FAQs. Retrieved from http://disability.illinois.edu/beckwith-residential-supportservices-nughet-hall/getting-started-nugent-hall/
beckwith-residential
University of Illinois. (2011b). Housing support services.
Retrieved from http://disability.illinois.edu/beckwith-residential-support-services-nugent-hall/
living-nugent-hall/housing-support-services
University of Illinois. (2011c). Mentoring programs.
Retrieved from http://disability.illinois.edu/beckwith-residential-support-services-nughet-hall/
getting-started-nugent-hall/beckwith-residential

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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 39, No. 2 & Volume 40, No. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 39, No. 2 & Volume 40, No. 1