DSS is affiliated with the Student & Academic Services (SAS) Division. This division creates and maintains programs and services that enhance student life at the University. Our office began during the 1977–1978 academic year.  Under the first "Coordinator", the office was then called "Handicapped Student Services."  The Coordinator was an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy from the School of Health and Human Services.  This professor served as Coordinator in addition to her faculty duties.  In 1987 the office changed its name "A.C.C.E.S.S" or ACCESS which stood for Accessing Career Challenges through Educational Support Services to assist students with disabilities. 2005 saw the most recent name change to "Disability Services for Students" or DSS around 2005.  This is the name of the office on most college campuses in the country. The office serves a growing number of students with documented disabilities entering higher education. These students come from Continuing Education, Thompson School, baccalaureate, Masters and PhD programs. DSS provides academic accommodations and works to ensure equal access to UNH students who present documentation from a medical provider detailing his or her disability.