What Is the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the University of Arizona?

Updated

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the University of Arizona is the campus office that ensures disability access for students, employees, and visitors. It promotes universal design through proactive collaboration with campus partners to cultivate a more inclusive University experience. If you need disability-related accommodations, accessibility guidance for an event or digital content, or ASL interpreting and captioning services, the DRC is the starting point.

Who the DRC serves

The DRC's scope covers three groups across campus:

  • Students — including those new to the DRC and returning students who need to revisit their accommodations each semester.
  • Employees — access applies to the workplace, not just the classroom.
  • Visitors — access extends to people coming to campus for university-sponsored activities.

What you can do through the DRC

Meet with your Access Consultant

This is the core step for students seeking accommodations. The DRC distinguishes two situations:

  • New to DRC — you have filled out the affiliation form and still need to meet with the office.
  • Returning DRC student — you are returning to the University of Arizona for another semester and want to discuss any changes to your accommodations.

If you are in either situation, the next action is to arrange a meeting with your Access Consultant rather than submitting a new request from scratch.

Request ASL interpreting or captioning

The DRC provides ASL interpreting and captioning services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals for all University-sponsored activities. If you are organizing or attending a university event and need either service, this is the request pathway to use.

Plan an accessible event

The DRC publishes guidelines and resources for planning, promoting, and hosting an event on campus. This is relevant if you are responsible for an event and need to build access in from the start rather than retrofit it afterward.

Make digital content and IT accessible

The DRC offers guidelines, tips, and techniques for creating accessible digital content, and points to digital accessibility obligations under Title II. This applies to anyone producing web pages, documents, or other digital material for the university.

Visit the Omnes Disability Student Space

Omnes is a disability student space for activities celebrating disability identity, culture, and community. It is a community-facing resource rather than an accommodations service.

How to decide where to start

Your situation Where to begin
You are a student who needs accommodations Meet with your Access Consultant (new or returning, depending on your status)
You need ASL interpreting or captioning for a university activity Use the DRC's ASL/captioning request service
You are hosting a campus event Use the accessible campus events guidelines
You create digital content or IT for the university Use the digital and IT accessibility guidelines
You want disability community and cultural programming Visit the Omnes Disability Student Space

Key things to keep in mind

  • The DRC frames its work around universal design — collaborating with campus partners so access is built into environments and materials, not only arranged individually.
  • Access is not limited to students. Employees and visitors are explicitly included in the DRC's mission.
  • Returning students should expect to revisit accommodations each semester rather than assume prior arrangements carry over unchanged.

For current forms, contact details, and scheduling, go directly to drc.arizona.edu, since procedures and links on the site may change.