The Focus Awards recognize those affiliated with Purdue University who
have made outstanding contributions to the furthering of Purdue’s commitment
to disability accessibility and diversity. They are distributed each March
as part of the University’s Disability Awareness Month activities. Additionally,
the University recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month
each October with employment-focused awareness activities.
The Adaptive Learning Programs (ALPS) Lab is located in Stewart Center,
Room 111. Students can use computers with a variety of assistive technologies
to meet their information access and computing needs. Resources include portable
equipment for print enlargement, rate controlled audio cassette players,
adjustable workstations, voice input software, voice synthesis of printed
materials, and operation of computers in either speech or enlargement modes.
Purdue Advocates for Disability Issues (PADI) is a student group whose
purpose is to promote an understanding of disability issues through educational,
social, and recreational activities. PADI also maintains a speakers’ panel
comprised of students with disabilities who are willing to talk to classes.
TAEVIS (Tactile Access to Education for Visually Impaired Students) at
Purdue University utilizes a variety of alternative formats to provide access
for students who are blind, visually impaired, or have other print disabilities.
Innovative applications for tactile diagrams, technical braille, and electronic
text are opening new opportunities in math, engineering, and science for
Purdue students with disabilities.
EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) and the Office of the
Dean of Students have created a partnership to identify and solve access
challenges for people with disabilities on campus. Current projects include
a global positioning system device for blind and visually impaired people,
an interactive campus map, and an adjustable table.
Emergency telephones have been installed in all elevators in University
buildings. Portable TTYs are available to students for short-term loan from
the Office of the Dean of Students. Public TTYs are available throughout
campus and may be located by referring to this map.
The Purdue Universal Access Initiative (PUAI) is a collaborative interdepartmental
effort whose purpose is to educate the University community in the design
and usability of Web sites for persons with disabilities and users around
the world.
