The need for postsecondary educational programs for handicapped people is increasing, and colleges and universities need to provide access to postsecondary education. In addition to providing access, they also need to ensure that handicapped individuals are accommodated in the social and educational environment of college. However, it appears that the environment has not sufficiently been adapted to their special educational needs, as large percentages of deaf persons and unknown percentages of other handicapped groups withdraw from colleges and universities without graduating. These findings have a theoretical base in the predictive theory of the persistence/withdrawal process, which indicates that attrition rates will be much higher when low levels of student social and academic integration exist. There is a need for more reliable data on attrition rates; and causes of attrition must be determined, considering such factors as learning disabilities of the handicapped, mobility problems, and communication problems. Institutional researchers must be prepared to describe the dimension of enrolled handicapped persons, their attrition rates, and their use of essential services. Then subgroups of the college population that have unacceptable rates of withdrawal can be identified and plans can be made to meet their special needs. (JDD)