Visitor Accommodations

Campus Events

Purdue is committed to making all programs accessible to participants with disabilities.  The university has a variety of options available to individuals with varying disabilities including hearing impairments, vision impairments, mobility impairments, and other physical and mental impairments that require assistance.  Options include but are not limited to: FM System or similar assistive listening systems, CART, captioning, transcripts, etext, sign language interpreter, alternative formats for print materials, notetakers, non-allergic or gluten free food, accessible seating with companion seating, and accessible parking.

• FM Systems consist of a transmitter microphone (used by the speaker) and a receiver (used by the listener) to transmit the sound to user’s ears or a hearing aid. In situations where the FM system is used in large gathering areas (e.g., theaters, conference rooms, convention centers, etc.), the microphone/transmitter is built into the overall sound system, and the user is provided with an FM receiver that can connect to the user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. The receiver can also connect to a headset if the user does not wear a hearing aid.

• When using Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), everything that is said is "captioned" live for individuals that are hard of hearing or Deaf. In fact, it can be thought of as captioning for non-broadcast settings, such as classrooms, meetings, and conferences.   The captioning may be on a small screen that can be read only by the individual requiring the service.  The CART captions can also be displayed on an overhead (for a small group) or broadcast on a large screen. The process is so fast that there is hardly any lag time between what is said and what the individual with the hearing impairment is able to read.
  • Due to needed compatibility testing for CART and the shortage of certificated sign language interpreters and certificated CART providers, requests for these services must be made in advance (at least one month prior) to ensure the necessary accommodation is in place for the event the individual is wishing to attend. 

The accessibility resources for performances in Elliott Hall of Music, Loeb Playhouse, and Fowler Hall can be found on Purdue Convocations Accessibility webpage. Information for performances in the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre or Nancy T. Hansen Theatre located in Yue-Kong Pao Hall can be found here.

To request accommodations or special assistance due to a disability for performances and events, individuals need to contact the group/unit sponsoring the event at least one month before the event.  For contact information, please refer to the following list of key units on campus that host the majority of performances and events on campus:

• Purdue Athletic Ticket Office:  (765) 494-3194 or (800)-497-7678
• Purdue Convocations Box Office:  (765) 494-3933  
• Yue-Kong Pao Hall Box Office:  (765) 494-3933

Planning for accessibility starts before the event even begins. Learn how to create and host accessible events.