Purdue University Northwest > Disability Access Center > Requesting Accommodations

Requesting Accommodations

The Disability Access Center empowers college-ready students with documented disabilities to participate fully in PNW by providing equal access and opportunity.

If you need to apply for accommodations in your PNW courses apply for services by clicking the button below. If you only need accommodations in housing complete the housing application instead. If you need both complete both applications.

Apply for Academic or Extra Curricular Accommodations

If you need to apply for accommodations in while living in PNW housing, apply for services by clicking the button below. If you only need accommodations in courses in PNW, complete the academic application instead. If you need accommodations in both, complete both applications.

Apply for Housing Accommodations

Steps to Accessibility

Lion Statue in front of the Student Union and Library BuildingStudents are required to complete the following steps to receive accommodations at the DAC:

  1. Student has medical, mental health, physical, or learning concerns—the DAC can help!
  2. Fill out the Request for Accommodations Form online.
  3. Call the DAC to schedule an intake meeting. 219.989.2455 (Please leave a voicemail if we are unavailable.)
  4. Provide/upload documentation of diagnosis and how it impacts you. Accommodations will be based on documentation.
  5. Meet with a staff member of the DAC to create an Access Plan*. Students are welcome to bring their parents.
  6. Each semester students send their Access Plan in their AIM student portal to the faculty of their choice.
  7. Student monitors accommodations and immediately contacts the DAC with any concerns.
  8. Student registers for the next semester and returns to step six.

Have questions? Call 219.989.2455 to set up a meeting at the DAC.

An Access Plan explains what PNW needs to do differently to provide equal access and equal opportunity for a student’s PNW experience.

For example an Access Plan:

  • Explains what an instructor needs to do differently to provide equal access and equal opportunity to their class for a given student.
  • Explains what a staff member of University Housing needs to do differently to provide equal access and equal opportunity to a student living in housing.

An accommodation is misnomer. It is actually an academic adjustment to/ within the academic environment that serves to remove barriers and allow students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in the educational experience without lowering the academic standards.

Accommodations may include but not limited to:

  • Testing accommodations
    • Distracted limited environment
    • Extended time on exams/quizzes
  • Copy of class notes
  • Alternative format of text
  • Assistive technology {link to guide}
  1. The Disability Access Center will review the documents and information provided during the initial meeting in order to determine if the requested accommodation is reasonable. An accommodation is deemed unreasonable when it substantially alters a course or program.
  2. The Disability Access Center will determine if the requested accommodation is appropriate to remove the barriers in an academic environment.
  3. The experiences conveyed by the student during the initial meeting with the Disability Resources Coordinator is also substantial in determining appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
  4. If necessary, additional documentation may be requested from qualified medical personnel.
  1. Complete the DAC Application.
  2. Schedule a meeting with the DAC. During this meeting you will discuss the following:
  • Provide current documentation.
  • Review the documents you will submit with the DAC.
  • Discuss your past accommodations.
  • Discuss the barriers experienced in the academic environment.
  • Recommend other accommodations and services which may be beneficial.
  1. Send your Access Plan in AIM every semester.