Beckwith Hall

Beckwith Residence Hall is a University residence hall, operated by the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services, which specializes in accommodating the residential needs of students with severe physical disabilities who require assistance in the performance of basic activities of daily living.

It has long been realized that many students with severe disabilities are often ill-prepared at the time of high school graduation to successfully adjust to the rigorous UIUC academic environment, while concurrently acquiring the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to live independently (including hiring, training, scheduling, and managing personal attendants without assistance).

At Beckwith Residence Hall, students needing assistance in the performance of activities of daily living are afforded the opportunity to participate in training to improve their knowledge and skills in independent living, and are empowered by the responsibility which they share with Beckwith management for hiring, training, scheduling, managing, and evaluating Beckwith's personal attendant staff.

A disability management team comprised of the student, a physical therapist, an equipment specialist and Beckwith management work collaboratively to determine a plan for improving each student's management of his/her disability-related needs.

The Beckwith goal continues to be to help residents acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully transition to mainstream University or private housing prior to graduation.