Disability Resource Center
Access and Materials
Supporting accessible course and exam materials for students with approved DRC accommodations.
Access and Materials prepares and coordinates accessible course and exam materials for students with approved DRC accommodations.
Our primary responsibility is ensuring students receive the accessible materials needed to implement their approved accommodations. We work with students, instructors, DRC staff, Purdue Testing Services, and campus partners to support access to textbooks, readings, exams, homework, presentations, notes, labs, and other course materials.
We are also happy to help instructors make course materials more accessible proactively. Because accommodation-related requests must take priority, turnaround times for materials that are not connected to a current student accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
Our first priority is accommodation implementation. Requests connected to students with approved DRC accommodations are prioritized to ensure students receive the access provided through their accommodations. Instructors are welcome to submit other course materials for accessibility support, but completion timelines for those requests depend on staff capacity and cannot be guaranteed.
Instructors may use the form below to submit materials needed for a student's approved accommodation or to request help improving the accessibility of other course materials.
What We Do
Access and Materials primarily supports students with approved DRC accommodations by preparing or coordinating:
- Accessible digital files
- Alternative format textbooks and course readings
- Braille materials
- Tactile graphics for charts, diagrams, maps, and other visual content
- Accessible exam and quiz materials
- Accessible materials for homework, presentations, notes, labs, and other course activities
When capacity allows, we can also assist instructors who want to improve the accessibility of course materials before a student-specific need is identified.
Who We Support
Access and Materials primarily supports students registered with the DRC who have approved accommodations related to accessible materials, alternative formats, braille, tactile graphics, or similar access needs.
We also work closely with instructors to prepare course and exam materials needed to implement those accommodations.
Instructors who are not currently responding to a student accommodation may also submit materials for accessibility support. These requests are completed as staff capacity allows and may take longer during periods of high accommodation-related demand.
Student and Instructor Information
Accessibility Support for Course Materials
Instructors can submit course and instructional materials to Access and Materials for accessibility support.
Requests connected to a student's approved DRC accommodation receive priority. Instructors may also submit materials proactively when they want help improving accessibility, but turnaround times for those requests cannot be guaranteed.
We can assist with materials such as:
- PDF documents
- Word documents
- PowerPoint presentations
- Scanned readings and handouts
- Forms and other digital documents
- Documents containing tables, images, charts, mathematical content, or other complex information
Before submitting materials
Whenever possible, provide the original editable source file. Word documents, PowerPoint files, and other source files are generally easier to make accessible than scanned or flattened PDFs.
Preparation time depends on the length, complexity, file type, source quality, and accessibility needs of the material.
Alternative Formats
Alternative formats give students access to course materials in a format that supports their approved accommodations. Formats may include:
- Accessible PDFs
- Word documents
- HTML or other digital text formats
- Braille
- Large print
- Text-to-speech compatible formats
- Other accessible formats determined through the accommodation process
Before requesting an alternative format, students should search Purdue Libraries and other approved databases for accessible versions of required materials.
Students with approved alternative format accommodations may contact Access and Materials for help requesting Bookshare access, when appropriate.
Textbooks and Course Readings
Students approved for alternative formats should request textbooks and course readings as early as possible.
Preparation time depends on the format needed, source material quality, publisher response times, and content complexity.
Materials with images, equations, graphs, charts, tables, specialized notation, or scanned pages may require additional preparation.
Steps for requesting accessible textbooks
- Share your Course Accommodation Letter with your instructor through the DRC Instructor Portal.
- Review your syllabus and identify required textbooks or readings.
- Search Purdue Libraries, VitalSource, RedShelf, and Bookshare for accessible versions.
- Submit an alternative format request through the DRC Student Portal.
- Provide complete material information, including title, author, edition, ISBN, and course number.
- Submit proof of purchase if the DRC is converting the material.
- Respond promptly to follow-up from Access and Materials.
Instructions for locating accessible textbooks Word document opens in a new tab
Exams and Quizzes
Some students require exam or quiz materials in accessible formats, such as text-to-speech compatible files, screen reader compatible files, braille, large print, or tactile graphics.
Instructors are responsible for ensuring exam materials support the student's approved accommodations. Access and Materials can assist when materials are submitted with enough time for review and preparation.
Accessible digital exams should generally include typed text instead of images of text, a logical reading order, usable structure, and accessible descriptions or alternatives for essential visual content.
STEM and visual materials often require more preparation time. Equations, graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, and symbols may need specialized review or preparation.
Instructors who need assistance making an exam or quiz accessible can submit the material directly to Access and Materials.
Braille and Tactile Graphics
Access and Materials prepares braille and tactile graphics for students with approved accommodations.
These materials may support textbooks, readings, exams, homework, presentations, notes, diagrams, charts, maps, labs, and other academic content.
Braille and tactile graphics require additional preparation time. Students and instructors should share materials as early as possible.
Student Responsibilities
Students approved for accessible materials or alternative formats should:
- Share Course Accommodation Letters early each semester
- Search approved databases for accessible versions before submitting requests
- Submit alternative format requests as soon as course materials are known
- Provide complete textbook, reading, or material information
- Submit proof of purchase when required
- Contact the DRC if materials are not accessible or if another barrier occurs
- Respond promptly to follow-up from Access and Materials
Access barriers cannot always be addressed if they are not communicated. Students should contact the DRC as soon as they identify a concern.
Instructor Responsibilities
Instructors play an important role in timely accommodation implementation and accessible course delivery.
Instructors can support timely access by:
- Sharing syllabi, readings, handouts, exams, and other materials early
- Providing editable source files when available, such as Word or PowerPoint files
- Avoiding scanned images of text when a typed or editable version is available
- Providing descriptions or context for important visual information
- Submitting accommodation-related materials as early as possible
- Responding promptly to Access and Materials requests
- Contacting the DRC early with accommodation implementation questions
Instructors may also submit other course materials for accessibility assistance. Those requests are completed as staff capacity allows after accommodation-related needs are addressed.
How This Process Works for Instructors
Instructors may submit materials because they are needed to implement a student's approved accommodation or because they would like assistance improving accessibility proactively.
- Identify the material. Gather the course document, reading, assessment, presentation, or other material that needs accessibility support. Provide the original source file whenever possible.
- Submit the material. Use the Make My Course Materials Accessible form and tell us whether the request is connected to a student's approved accommodation.
- Access and Materials reviews the request. Our team determines the accessibility work needed and may contact you for additional information or source files.
- Accommodation-related requests are prioritized. Materials required to implement approved DRC accommodations receive priority. Other accessibility requests are completed as staff capacity allows.
- The material is returned or coordinated. Accessible materials may be returned to the instructor or coordinated with the student, DRC staff, Purdue Testing Services, or other campus partners as appropriate.
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Timelines and Expectations
Preparation time depends on the type, length, source quality, and complexity of the material. Instructors should submit materials as early as possible.
May require less preparation time
- Clean, text-based digital files
- Editable Word documents
- Accessible PDFs requiring limited adjustment
May require additional preparation time
- Braille
- Tactile graphics
- STEM content, including equations, graphs, symbols, and specialized notation
- Image-heavy or scanned materials
- Complex tables or layouts
- Publisher-dependent materials
Accommodation-related materials receive priority. Access and Materials must prioritize materials needed to provide students with approved DRC accommodations. We welcome proactive accessibility requests from instructors, but turnaround times for requests that are not connected to a current accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
Late Accommodation-Related Materials
Access and Materials will prepare materials as quickly as possible. However, late, incomplete, or inaccessible source materials may affect when an accessible version can be provided to the student.
If an accessible version cannot be prepared in time, the instructor may need to provide flexibility, adjust the timing of the activity or exam, or make another arrangement so the student is not disadvantaged because accessible materials were unavailable.
Tools to Support Accessible Images and Visual Content
Creating accessible descriptions for images, charts, diagrams, and other visual content can be complex, especially for technical or STEM materials.
Instructors may find the Arizona State University Image Accessibility Generator helpful as a starting point for alternative text and longer image descriptions.
Try the Image Accessibility Generator opens in a new tab
- Generate initial alt text drafts
- Create longer descriptions for complex visuals
- Support graphs, charts, and diagram descriptions
Important: Output from these tools should always be reviewed and edited. Instructors are responsible for ensuring descriptions accurately reflect the content and what students need to understand.
Proactive Course Accessibility
Instructors are encouraged to consider accessibility when creating course materials rather than waiting until a student encounters a barrier.
Access and Materials is happy to assist instructors with individual course materials when staff capacity allows. Because our first responsibility is supporting students with approved DRC accommodations, we cannot guarantee completion dates for proactive requests that are not connected to a current accommodation.
Instructors can also use Purdue's broader accessibility resources for guidance on creating accessible course content from the beginning.
When to Contact Access and Materials
Students
- You have an approved alternative format or accessible materials accommodation
- You need help requesting accessible textbooks or readings
- A course material is not usable with your assistive technology
- You encounter a barrier with required materials
- You have questions about Bookshare or accessible textbook options
Instructors
- A student has an approved accommodation requiring accessible course or exam materials
- You receive a DRC request for accessible materials
- A PDF, reading, presentation, assessment, handout, or other course material needs accessibility support
- You are unsure whether a course material is accessible
- Course content includes complex images, equations, diagrams, graphs, tables, or other visual information
- You need help determining what source material to provide
- You need to discuss preparation timelines for an accommodation-related request
Assistive Technology Support
Some students may benefit from assistive technology to access course materials, complete assignments, or navigate digital content.
Assistive technology may include screen readers, text-to-speech tools, speech-to-text software, magnification tools, and alternative input devices.
Students interested in exploring assistive technology options or receiving training can connect with the Assistive Technology Lab.
Schedule an Assistive Technology Appointment opens in a new tab
Learn more about the Assistive Technology Lab opens in a new tab
Contact: atc-info@purdue.edu
Alternative Format Student Responsibilities
Students approved for alternative format textbooks or course materials are expected to follow these responsibilities to support timely access.
Search and Request Materials
- Search for accessible versions first. Before purchasing course materials, search approved databases for accessible versions.
- Use approved databases. Search Purdue Libraries, VitalSource, RedShelf, and Bookshare.
- Request Bookshare access if needed. If you are not already a Bookshare member, email drcmaterials@purdue.edu .
- Submit requests through the DRC Student Portal. If materials are not available through approved databases, submit an alternative format request.
Timelines and Proof of Purchase
- Start early. Begin searching and requesting materials as soon as you register for classes.
- Processing time varies. Some materials may take several weeks to provide in an accessible format.
- Delays impact access. Late requests, late purchases, missing receipts, or incomplete information may delay materials.
- Materials may be delivered in sections. You may receive accessible materials on a rolling basis.
- Proof of purchase is required. The DRC cannot convert materials without verification that the material has been purchased or otherwise legally obtained.
Use of Materials and Copyright
- Personal educational use only. Accessible materials are for your use in the course.
- Do not share or distribute materials. Materials cannot be shared, sold, posted, recorded, or distributed in any format.
- Follow Purdue copyright policies. Misuse may result in university disciplinary action and potential legal consequences.
Contact Access and Materials
For questions about accessible course materials, alternative formats, braille, tactile graphics, or material preparation connected to approved accommodations, contact the DRC Access and Materials team.
Email: drcmaterials@purdue.edu
Instructors may also use the course materials form to submit proactive accessibility requests. These requests are completed as staff capacity allows after accommodation-related needs are prioritized.
Make My Course Materials Accessible opens in a new tab
Related Resources
- Make My Course Materials Accessible opens in a new tab
- Instructions for locating accessible textbooks Word document opens in a new tab
- Purdue Libraries opens in a new tab
- VitalSource opens in a new tab
- RedShelf opens in a new tab
- Bookshare opens in a new tab
- Innovative Learning Accessibility Resources opens in a new tab
- Assistive Technology Lab opens in a new tab
- Instructors
- Implementing Accommodations
- Student Course Accommodation Letter
- Limited Attendance Flexibility
- Syllabus Statement
- Creating Accessible Courses
- Creating Accessible Events
- Grievances and Concerns
- Accommodation Requests for Faculty and Staff
- Facilitating Test Accommodations
- Access and Materials
- DRC in Indianapolis