The 2020 Biennial AHEAD Survey - Reporting on Disability Resource Professionals in Higher Education

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

The 2020 Biennial AHEAD Survey presents findings on disability resource professionals working in higher education, summarizing participation gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The report includes acknowledgements for survey respondents and contributors, and documents the survey’s purpose, updates for 2020, a COVID-19 topical supplement, and the methodology and structure. It organizes results across demographic characteristics, respondents’ current positions, professional experience, and earnings and compensation, supported by a series of tables.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time1 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of Tables

I. SURVEY BACKGROUND

Purpose

What’s New in 2020

The 2020 Topical Supplement: COVID-19 Transitions

Methodology

The Structure of This Report

II. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ABOUT RESPONDENTS

Section Highlights

Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity and Age

Disability

Geographic Location

Education and Fields of Influence

III. CURRENT POSITION

Section Highlights

Primary and Descriptive Job Titles

Time Allocation

Other

IV. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Section Highlights

Experience in Higher Education

Experience in Other Fields

V. EARNINGS AND COMPENSATION

Section Highlights

Funding Sources

Annual Compensation

Other Forms of Compensation

SUMMARY REPORT The 2020 Biennial AHEAD Survey: Reporting on Disability Resource Professionals in Higher Education Sally S. Scott July 12, 2021 The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) 8015 West Kenton Circle, Suite 230 Huntersville, NC 28078 Acknowledgements While the field is always indebted to the professionals who take the time to respond to the biennial AHEAD surveys, special thanks is warranted this year. During a fall term that will be remembered as occurring in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 630 professionals provided valuable information that continues to enhance our understanding of the field of postsecondary disability. Additional thanks are due to the AHEAD Board of Directors and Executive Director, Stephan Smith, for their continued support of this research. Board members Amanda Kraus, President, and Zebadiah Hall, Equity Officer, played a valuable role in helping to raise awareness among the membership of the 2020 research call for participants. Special thanks to Dr. Carol Marchetti for her collaboration on an intensive review of the findings of the biennial AHEAD surveys since 2008. A summary of this work can be found in AHEAD’s Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 33(2) . This review played an important role in identifying the refinements and improvements that are reflected in the 2020 iteration of the biennial AHEAD survey. - Contents Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................... 2 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ 4 I. SURVEY BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................ 6 Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 6 What’s New in 2020 ................................................................................................................. 6 The 2020 Topical Supplement: COVID-19 Transitions ............................................................. 7 Methodology............................................................................................................................ 7 The Structure of This Report .................................................................................................... 7 II. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ABOUT RESPONDENTS ......................................................................... 8 Section Highlights..................................................................................................................... 8 Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity and Age ............................................................ 10 Disability ................................................................................................................................ 13 Geographic Location .............................................................................................................. 14 Education and Fields of Influence .......................................................................................... 15 III. CURRENT POSITION ............................................................................................................... 17 Section Highlights................................................................................................................... 17 Primary and Descriptive Job Titles......................................................................................... 19 Time Allocation ...................................................................................................................... 22 Other .................................................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 2020 Biennial AHEAD Survey?

The survey background section describes the report’s purpose and frames how the 2020 findings contribute to understanding disability resource work in higher education.

What changed in 2020 and how is COVID-19 addressed in the report?

The report includes a “What’s New in 2020” section and a 2020 topical supplement focused on COVID-19 transitions, reflecting the context in which responses were collected.

What topics are covered in the survey results beyond demographics?

Results are organized into current position, professional experience, and earnings and compensation, with tables supporting measures such as job titles, time allocation, and compensation sources.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys