Sharon Byrkett papers

Sharon Byrkett was born in Lafayette, Indiana to Clarence and Mary Arvin on May 11, 1946. She was an advocate for disability accessibility who led a crusade at Purdue to improve mobility conditions for the physically handicapped, as she was born with muscular dystrophy. Although she was accepted to attend classes at Purdue, the West Lafayette campus was largely inaccessible to individuals with physical disabilities. Byrkett, along with support of... others, was instrumental in bringing about the building modifications that are now a part of Purdue's campus after the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed. She eventually transferred to IUPUI where she graduated with a degree in Social Work in 1984. After graduation, she began advocacy work through her employment at the Resource Center for Independent Living and Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. She also served on the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities and was a delegate to the National Council for People with Disabilities. Byrkett served on the board for the Indiana Association for People in Supported Employment and served as the chair and vice chair for IndyGo's Mobility Advisory Committee. Throughout her lifetime, Sharon received many awards and acknowledgements for her achievements. She passed away in Indianapolis in 2009 at age 63 after battling breast cancer. She was posthumously awarded the 2010 Focus Award from Purdue University in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the area of disability access and diversity.