UF’s Disability Resource Center recognized as No. 6 for student access options

The University of Florida’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) has been ranked No. 6 in College Magazine’s “Top 10 Campuses for Students with Physical Disabilities.”

Campus-wide efforts, including but not limited to, lift systems across campus, Electronic Information Technology and Accessibility policy development, adaptive yoga and several DRC scholarships, have helped to get the university noticed.

Gerry Altamirano, director of the DRC, said that the center strives to develop new ideas that will continue to make the university accessible, as they see disability as a valued aspect of diversity. He said the DRC aims to make a top 10 collegiate education a reality for students with disabilities.

“There are so many bright and talented future Gators with physical disabilities that we hope will learn about the University of Florida and our commitment to inclusion,” Altamirano said. “We hope this recognition of being named a top institution for accessibility will send the message to future students that there is a place for them at the gator nation.”

The University of Florida’s Information and Technology team shares the DRC’s dedication to campus-wide accessibility, Altamirano said. He said UFIT has created a tool to ensuring all website content is easily accessible.

“The DRC envisions a universally accessible UF community,” Altamirano said. “Through campus partnerships we aim to create equitable learning opportunities by addressing attitudinal, physical and technological barriers.”

As well as being ranked, UF has been recognized as a Gold Standard campus for American College of Sports Medicine’s Exercise is Medicine. The recognition highlights the university’s work with CHANGES, which is part of UF RecSports, DRC fitness assessments and adaptive yoga classes.

Alyssa Levin March 18, 2019