Disability Resource Center Student Success Programs

Access and Materials

Access and Materials prepares accessible course and exam materials for students with approved DRC 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.

Access and Materials supports accommodation-related material needs for students registered with the DRC. Instructors looking for help making course materials accessible by design, but not related to a current student accommodation request, should use Purdue’s broader course accessibility resources.

Submit an Accommodation Request Search Purdue Libraries opens in a new tab Instructor Accessibility Resources

What We Do

Access and Materials supports students with approved 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

Who We Support

Access and Materials supports students registered with the DRC who have approved accommodations related to accessible materials, alternative formats, braille, tactile graphics, or similar access needs.

Students who may need accessible materials but do not yet have an approved accommodation should submit an accommodation request. The DRC will determine appropriate accommodations through the interactive process.

Student and Instructor Information

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

  1. Share your Course Accommodation Letter with your instructor through the DRC Instructor Portal.
  2. Review your syllabus and identify required textbooks or readings.
  3. Search Purdue Libraries, VitalSource, RedShelf, and Bookshare for accessible versions.
  4. Submit an alternative format request through the DRC Student Portal.
  5. Provide complete material information, including title, author, edition, ISBN, and course number.
  6. Submit proof of purchase if the DRC is converting the material.
  7. 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, 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 lead time. Equations, graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, and symbols may need specialized review or preparation.

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. When accessible materials are needed, instructors may be asked to provide course or exam materials in advance.

Instructors can support timely access by:

  • Sharing syllabi, readings, handouts, exams, and other materials early
  • Providing editable source files when available, such as Word, PowerPoint, or accessible PDF files
  • Avoiding scanned images of text when a typed or editable version is available
  • Providing descriptions or context for important visual information
  • Responding promptly to Access and Materials requests
  • Contacting the DRC early with accommodation implementation questions

How This Process Works for Instructors

When a student has an approved accommodation related to accessible materials, the process works as follows:

  1. The accommodation is shared. The student shares their Course Accommodation Letter through the DRC Instructor Portal.
  2. The DRC contacts the instructor, if needed. Access and Materials may request course or exam materials.
  3. The instructor provides materials. Editable files are preferred. For visuals, equations, graphs, charts, or specialized content, the instructor may also need to provide context.
  4. Materials are reviewed and prepared. Access and Materials prepares materials based on the student’s approved accommodations.
  5. Materials are delivered or coordinated. Accessible materials are provided to the student or used in coordination with testing or course delivery.

Timelines and Expectations

Preparation time depends on the type and complexity of the material. Early submission is critical.

May require shorter turnaround

  • Clean, text-based digital files
  • Editable Word documents
  • Accessible PDFs that need limited adjustment

May require longer turnaround

  • Braille
  • Tactile graphics
  • STEM content, including equations, graphs, symbols, and specialized notation
  • Image-heavy or scanned materials
  • Publisher-dependent materials

Late or incomplete materials may delay accessible versions. Instructors may need to provide flexibility or alternative arrangements so the student has equal access to the course activity, assignment, or exam.

If Materials Are Provided Late

Access and Materials will review and prepare late materials as quickly as possible. However, late or incomplete submissions may affect when the student can access the content.

Depending on the situation, instructors may need to adjust deadlines, exam conditions, participation expectations, or other course requirements to support equal access.

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

Access and Materials supports accommodation implementation for students with approved DRC accommodations. This does not replace broader course design responsibilities or campus-wide digital accessibility work.

Instructors who want help making course materials accessible by design should use Purdue’s course accessibility and digital accessibility resources.

When to Contact Access and Materials

Students

  • They have an approved alternative format or accessible materials accommodation
  • They need help requesting accessible textbooks or readings
  • A course material is not usable with their assistive technology
  • They encounter a barrier with required materials
  • They have questions about Bookshare or accessible textbook options

Instructors

  • A student has an approved accommodation requiring accessible course or exam materials
  • They receive a DRC request for accessible materials
  • They are unsure what format is needed
  • Course content includes complex images, equations, diagrams, graphs, or other visual information
  • They need to discuss preparation timelines

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 altformats@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 materials, alternative formats, braille, tactile graphics, or material preparation connected to approved accommodations, contact the DRC Access and Materials team.

Email: altformats@purdue.edu

  • Access and Materials

Contact Us

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Email:  drcmaterials@purdue.edu