Book excerpt: This monograph presents 11 papers which bring together information to help administrators, faculty, and staff in institutions of higher education better understand the needs of college freshmen and other new students with disabilities, including ways to meet those needs and the legal requirements which affect decision-making about service provision. An introductory chapter notes the increasing numbers of students reporting a disability, the varying situations of such students, and commonalities. The 11 papers are: (1) "Special Talents in a Not-So-New Population" (Thomas G. West); (2) "Hidden Abilities--Visible Disabilities?" (Linda Lucas Walling); (3) "The Human Factor" (William H. Jones); (4) "Multiple Stigma or Multiple Opportunity?: New Students with Disabilities from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds" (Blanche Glimps and Karen F. Davis); (5) "Students with Learning Disabilities and the Social Domain" (Nancy Mari Purcell); (6) "Marginal Beginnings but Great Endings" (Angela Renaud); (7) "A Safety Net for Success: An Approach to Transition Planning" (Jolene Bordewick); (8) "Leveling the Playing Field: Alternative Testing Arrangements" (Margaret A. Chmielewski); (9) "Lessening Stumbling Blocks to Retention through Accessible Academic Libraries" (Donna Z. Pontau); (10) "Building Bridges for Institutions of Higher Education: Assistive Technology Resources" (Robbie Ludy and Merv Blunt); and (11) "The Legal Perspective: Higher Education and Students with Disabilities" (Rosvelt Martain, Jr.). Three appendices describe communication techniques often used by people with selected disabilities; list state assistive technology projects; and list selected organizations, serials, and Internet resources. (Individual papers contain references and 20 general recommended readings are listed.) (DB)