ADA / 504 Compliance - The DRC's Role

 

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the office designated to provide services, resources, and programs to facilitate equal learning and working opportunities for disabled faculty, staff, students, and guests of the University of Arizona.
The Disability Resource Center will, among other things:

• maintain medical records related to disability and requests for accommodation;
• consult with and assist individuals with disabilities, when requested;
• review accommodation requests related to applicants for employment, employees, students, or other individuals and consult with departments when determining reasonable accommodations;
• determine whether an individual is a qualified individual with a disability; whether the individual can perform the essential functions of the individual’s job with or without a reasonable accommodation; whether the individual is entitled to an accommodation; and if so, the nature of the accommodation;
• provide and arrange or coordinate the provision of reasonable accommodations;
• review all decisions of unit administrators, supervisors, faculty or department heads that conclude that a proposed accommodation will result in an undue hardship, a fundamental alteration of a program or activity, will harm academic integrity or will create a direct threat;
• assist in ensuring access to websites, web-based courses, distance learning, and technology in libraries, computer labs, and other student service sites;
• review all blueprints, whether for new construction, alteration or renovation projects, to determine compliance with ADAAG and monitor all construction projects;
• provide technical assistance to the campus on barrier removal, modification or substitution of alternate paths of travel or locations of activities;
• assist departments in developing essential job functions and technical standards for academic programs.

Major services and programs provided by DRC include information/referral, problem-solving/support, Sign Language Interpreters, test accommodations, alternate print formats, academic aides, assistive technology, adaptive athletics/recreation, and wheelchair/equipment repair. Training and technical assistance are also provided to the campus community.