About Us
About the Disability Resource Center
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) works to ensure qualified disabled students have access to Purdue University’s academic programs, services, activities, and opportunities.
Mission and Purpose
The DRC partners with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners to identify disability-related barriers, determine reasonable accommodations, and support accessible learning environments.
The DRC serves undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled through Purdue University in West Lafayette and Indianapolis, including students participating in online coursework. The DRC supports both full-time and part-time students across a wide range of academic programs and learning environments.
Our Approach
Our work includes both individualized accommodations and broader efforts to improve accessibility. Whenever possible, the DRC encourages the proactive identification and removal of barriers so students can participate without requiring additional individual adjustments.
When disability-related barriers remain, the DRC engages students in an individualized, interactive process to determine whether reasonable accommodations are appropriate.
How Accommodation Decisions Are Made
Accommodation decisions are based on an individualized review of the information available to the DRC. This may include:
- Disability documentation
- A student’s description of disability-related barriers and functional limitations
- The nature of the requested accommodation
- The requirements and design of the relevant course, program, or activity
Accommodations are intended to provide access and are not designed to fundamentally alter essential academic or program requirements.
What the DRC Does Not Do
The DRC does not diagnose disabilities, provide medical or psychological treatment, or conduct disability evaluations. When additional information is needed to understand a student’s disability-related barriers, the DRC may request documentation from an appropriately qualified provider. Documentation is considered as part of the individualized review process and is not the sole basis for an accommodation decision.
What Informs the DRC's Work?
Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504
Purdue University provides qualified disabled individuals access to its programs, services, and activities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The DRC supports the University in meeting these responsibilities through individualized review of disability-related barriers and reasonable accommodations.
Individualized and Interactive Review
Disability-related barriers and accommodation needs vary by student and by environment. The DRC reviews each request individually and may work with students, instructors, and other University partners to understand the barrier, relevant academic or program requirements, and possible accommodations.
Accessible Design
The DRC encourages faculty, staff, and University partners to consider accessibility when designing courses, programs, services, technology, and environments.
Addressing barriers proactively can improve access and reduce the need for some individual adjustments, while recognizing that individual accommodations may still be necessary.
Shared Responsibility for Access
Providing access is a shared University responsibility. The DRC determines reasonable accommodations and provides consultation and support, while students, instructors, departments, and other campus partners each have a role in implementing approved accommodations and addressing barriers to participation.
Contact Us
Phone: (765) 494-1247
Email: drc@purdue.edu
YONG Room 105
155 S. Grant St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Purdue Student Center, 2nd Floor
520 Indiana Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202