With so many variables to consider, how can we begin to paint a picture of the students we serve? One way to do this is by creating personas.

A persona is a profile of a fictional person created using real-world statistics and observations that can represent a larger population of people. A group at the World Campus has created personas that represent seven very different people who could be our students. Each of these personas includes a short bio, a list of some of their frustrations with taking online classes, and some of the things that work best for them.

Our Persona website has more information about these personas and about Universal Design for Learning as a strategy for planning for learner variability. The personas were based on qualitative and quantitative data.

World Campus Student Data

In general, according to Leah Zimmerman, director of Student Disability Resources, about 10% of the student population at all Penn State campuses seek accommodations (of those, about 7% are approved). With an estimated 20% of the student population having a disability, though, that's a group that anyone can join at any time.

Over half (68%) of all Penn State students receiving accommodations have psychological or learning disorders or ADHD, but the number who seek formal accommodation are only a small fraction of all students with these conditions. Therefore, you can't assume that if no students with formal accommodations are enrolled in a course, there are no students with disabilities in that course.

The information in the following pie chart is alternatively provided as a table. Click the menu icon in the chart, followed by "View Data Table."

Penn State Student Disability Types 2023

These statistics don't include temporary disabilities, such as a broken arm or a concussion, but people with these conditions can also receive accommodations.

Updated October 2024