A POLICY STATEMENT FOR STEW 111 COMPUTER LAB

Policy:

The computer lab in Stewart Center Room 111 is designated a restricted use lab. This means that only those persons eligible to use the lab are able to log in. Eligibility is determined by the Disability Resource Center (DRC) of the Student Success Programs.

Reasoning:

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA," passed in 1990), guarantee equal access to employment, education, public services, and transportation for individuals with disabilities. The law mandates that both physical facilities and programs be accessible for all individuals. As a public institution of higher education, Purdue University is subject to these laws and would jeopardize its ability to receive federal funds (e.g., financial aid and research grants) if it fails to comply with these laws.

The STEW 111 computer lab has specialized hardware and software that allows students with disabilities to use computers in a way comparable to their non-disabled peers. Much of it is not available in any other computer lab on campus. This prevents many students with disabilities, unlike most students, from choosing to go to another computer lab. Although improvements in accessibility of all Purdue University Computing Center (ITAP) labs have been and are continuing to be made, in some instances the hardware or software in STEW 111 cannot be relocated or duplicated in another computer lab.

Purdue University must meet its legal obligation to provide computers that are accessible to and usable by students with disabilities. In many cases, the only computer lab that has the necessary specialized hardware and software is STEW 111. Therefore, the STEW 111 lab is designated a restricted use lab.

Contacts:

This is a collaborative decision made by ITAP, the Dean of Students, and the DRC in Student Success. Please direct comments or questions to the DRC (YOUG Rm. 830, drc@purdue.edu, 765-494-1247) or Alex Mason (DRC, mason3@purdue.edu, 765-494-2058).