The Center for Access-Ability Resources was established by NIU to ensure that its academic and campus facilities are available to persons with disabilities.

The mission of the Center for Access-Ability Resources is to create a universally accessible environment at NIU where individuals are viewed on the basis of their ability, not disability, during their academic and non-academic pursuits at NIU.

Program Objectives

• Deliver quality services that enable students with disabilities to pursue their academic goals and that promote access to the campus community.
• Encourage students in the development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills as they transition to and progress through the university to become contributing members of society.
• Assist the university to comply with the provisions of relevant legal mandates such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Create a more inclusive environment for persons with disabilities on the NIU campus through technical assistance, outreach, and development of collaborative partnerships.
• Engage in on-going professional development and service to the field.

"No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States ... shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance ..."

- from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973