Welcome back to a brand-new academic year at Ball State University! As we kick off the semester and welcome both new and returning students to campus, our team is thrilled to embrace a fresh start and look ahead to everything we will achieve together.

This semester brings an especially historic and meaningful milestone for our department. Today, September 25, 2026, the Board of Trustees of Ball State University officially approved the naming of our office as the Richard W. Harris Office of Disability Services.

Honoring a Pioneer: The Legacy of Richard W. Harris

This renaming is a lasting tribute to Mr. Richard Harris, a true pioneer in the field of disability services who dedicated 32 years of his life to serving students with disabilities at Ball State until his retirement in 2005. His profound contributions continue to shape our campus and our core values:

Foundational Leadership: Mr. Harris served as the University’s Coordinator of Handicapped Services when the office was first established in 1973, eventually making disability services his full-time professional responsibility as our student population grew.

A Culture of Shared Responsibility: He established an enduring philosophy that accessibility is the responsibility of the entire University, successfully embedding accommodations across Academic Affairs, IT, Housing, Facilities, and beyond.

Physical and Technological Transformation: Mr. Harris led efforts to retrofit every academic building for physical accessibility, championed early technological accessibility by helping create a dedicated Adapted Computer Technology Specialist position in 1992, and established specialized support like a full-time caption writer.

A National Model: Through his innovative approach and unwavering advocacy, he built a model that positioned Ball State as a nationally recognized welcoming and accessible campus.

Looking Forward

As we step into this exciting new era bearing his name, our team remains deeply committed to Mr. Harris’s greatest legacy: fostering a culture of access and opportunity grounded in the conviction that students with disabilities should have access to the exact same programs, experiences, and expectations as all Ball State students.

Whether you are stopping by to connect with our staff, utilize our resources, or explore how we can support your academic journey, our doors are open. Here is to a wonderful, accessible, and empowering fall semester — Chirp, Chirp!

Dr. Courtney Jarrett, ADAC

Director, Richard W. Harris Office of Disability Services