About

The McBurney Disability Resource Center is the office for students with disabilities and classroom accommodations on the UW-Madison campus.Student submitting paper document at the McBurney Center front desk As part of the student accommodation process, we work collaboratively with students and instructors to provide and support effective student accommodations. And as an office within Student Affairs, we strive to create an inclusive campus environment that allows students to engage, explore, and participate in the Wisconsin Idea.

We work with over 5100 students annually, and we partner with students, instructors, staff, student organizations, and others throughout the campus and community. Whether you are a student or instructor, are new to campus or are already quite familiar, have a long history of accommodations or are just exploring disability-related accommodations for the first time, we invite you to learn more about the Center and to contact us with any questions you may have.

Who We Serve

Students

We work primarily with UW-Madison students with physical, learning, hearing, vision, psychological, health and other disabilities substantially affecting a major life activity (e.g., walking, communicating, learning, seeing, breathing, reading, etc.). Many students have non-apparent disabilities such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum, learning disabilities, AD/HD and health conditions such as Crohn’s disease or fibromyalgia.

Students who are also UW-Madison employees (e.g. student hourly, work study, teaching assistant) can request employee accommodations through the department in which they are employed.

Instructors Providing Accommodations

We assist faculty and instructional staff by verifying students’ disabilities and identifying appropriate classroom accommodations, clarifying student and instructor roles and responsibilities; and providing information and training on accessibility and accommodations.

Individuals and Departments Requesting Sign Language Interpreting and Live Professional Captioning (CART)

The McBurney Center can coordinate sign language and live captioning requests for disability-related accommodations and for public access.

 

 

Mission

Leading the campus community forward in access for students with disabilities.

Vision

Our vision is a universally accessible educational community that fosters the full participation and contribution of every member, with individual accommodation needed only in unique or uncommon situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Does the McBurney Center Provide Employee/Employment Accommodations for Students, Faculty, Staff, Visitors, Program Participants, and Extension?

A campus network of Divisional Disability Representatives (designated employees to assist employees with disability-related issues) is available to assist with employment accommodation requests (student workers, graduate assistants, faculty, and staff).

In general, guests and visitors are accommodated by the program or activity in which they are participating. For example, guests attending sporting events or theatrical productions can make accommodation requests when purchasing tickets.

The McBurney Center may also provides consultation and technical assistance to university programs.

History

The McBurney Center is founded in memory of Floyd Mike McBurney. Mike McBurney reading and writing at his office desk in 1960s Born and raised in Madison, WI, Floyd Michael McBurney sustained a cervical spinal cord injury in a fall off a pier at age sixteen. Like other individuals with severe physical disabilities in the 1950s, Mike faced a future containing physical and social barriers reflective of the times. Undaunted by his quadriplegia, however, and with the support of family and friends, Mike enrolled at UW-Madison a year after his accident.

Mike graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1960 and earned a law degree at the UW School of Law in 1963. Graduating third in his class, Mike went on to practice law with his father Floyd for three years before running for and winning election as Dane County District Attorney in 1966. It would be easy to imagine that Mike’s life would continue on with one achievement after another following him into the future. Sadly, however, Mike died shortly after taking office in 1967, and the dreams and ambitions he held were cut short.

While an undergrad at UW, Mike’s sister Georgianna McBurney Stebnitz introduced Mike to James Graaskamp. Graaskamp, a faculty member in the School of Business and a fellow wheelchair user, took this young undergrad under his wing and became a lifelong friend. Recognized in 2006 by the Urban Land Institute as one of Ten Real Estate Legends, Graaskamp was described as a leader with the capacity to make a lasting profound difference, to take risks in pursuit of excellence and whose perseverance ultimately results in better buildings, better neighborhoods and better communities. Graaskamp understood firsthand that the best communities are built when everyone in the community is included.

After Mike died, Graaskamp approached the McBurney family with the idea to use the contributions made in Mike’s memory to start a formal disability services office. Working with Dean of Students Paul Ginsberg and Assistant Dean Blair Mathews, the McBurney Center was founded in 1977.

McBurney and Graaskamp were committed to improving access for students with disabilities long before the passage of any federal legislation requiring campus access. They also embraced the idea that a college education is more than attending classes and taking exams. Social, recreational, and athletic events as well as employment and volunteer opportunities are just as essential for students to experience to realize the full measure of the Wisconsin Experience. Creating an accessible campus community for all students is the cornerstone of the McBurney mission and the legacy given to us by these two remarkable men we are proud to claim as Badgers.

Overview of Students Affiliated with the McBurney Center

2022-2023 annual report statistics showing students with disabilities affiliated with the McBurney Center who were enrolled between Summer 2022 and Spring 2023.

Primary Disability Group Number of Students Enrolled
ADD/ADHD 1405
Autism Spectrum 99
Brain Injury 88
Health Condition 714
Hearing Disability – Deaf/Hard of Hearing 83
Learning Disability 372
Mobility/Physical Disability 104
Psychological Disability 2034
Temporary Disability 162
Visual Disability – Blind/Low Vision 68
Other Disability 11
TOTALS: 5140