How accessible are college campuses?

By: Andrew Fina

Photos: Becky Lake

Physically disabled students have a much more difficult time getting around. Disabled  students not only have to find a college that they enjoy, but they must also make sure that the school has the proper designs necessary for them to move about campus.

College is supposed to be a time of fun and excitement, new experiences, and learning. For many students, this is exactly what they experience every day. As each day goes by, students walk to and from class, walking up and down hills, crossing the grass, and using the stairs.

There is no thought that goes into their quick commute from dorm to class, besides maybe annoyance from a cold or rainy day. While this scenario is typical for the average student, many students have a much more difficult time with getting to class in an easy and timely matter.

Physically disabled students have a much more difficult time getting around. Disabled  students not only have to find a college that they enjoy, but they must also make sure that the school has the proper designs necessary for them to move about campus.

“Aside from [Marymount] being so close to home, it was much more easily accessible than a lot of other colleges,” said James Wood, a former 20-year-old student at Marymount with muscular dystrophy.  Wood is bound to a wheelchair and relies on ramps and elevators to get food, hangout with friends, and gets to class each day.

“Marymount does a pretty good job of making it easy for me to get around, except there are some small things that they didn’t think of that make it a little bit challenging at times,” he said.

Marymount has  Student Access Services that states, “SAS collaborates with instructors, staff, and community members to create usable, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments for Marymount students with disabilities. Students are able to engage SAS to strengthen their self-advocacy skills and learn about resources and services that enhance their academic strategies for success. As a result, students with disabilities can fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of higher education at Marymount.”

Most colleges have some type of service that helps with disabled students, but a common complaint is that they are not always as helpful. That does not seem to be the case with Marymount.

“I met with Student Access Services and they were extremely helpful with answering all of my questions and making sure I had everything I needed to feel welcome and normal,” Wood said.

One thing that stood out in particular was the realization that there are many different degrees of disability, and because something is considered accessible to one person, does not mean that it will be for another.

When talking to Wood about what Marymount could work on to make getting around more accessible for handicapped students, he said, “For me it is really hard to push the buttons because I can’t really lift my arms up very high. Obviously a lot of people in wheelchairs don’t have the same problem I do but other people struggle with that as well.”

When making sure disabled students are being given the easiest way possible, something like this often goes over the head of whoever is designing it.

“I know James and he gets around pretty well!” student Taylor Dent said. “From what I’ve seen from him around campus, it looks like Marymount is doing a good job of being accessible.”

When asked what makes something handicap accessible, Dent answered, “I guess as long as there is a ramp for them to get inside.” While this is part of it, there is much more that is needed.

Accessibility is defined as easily approached or entered. While for some that may mean just having a wheelchair ramp, that is not always the case.

On a scale of one through ten, Wood rated Marymount a seven. “I would give Marymount a 10 but Butler hall and St. Joseph’s hall are not accessible,” Wood said. “Also, one of the lecture halls in Rowley isn’t accessible either.”

Wood continued to say that this was much higher than many other schools he has been to, both that he had applied to, or had visited with his younger sister who is currently looking at colleges for herself.

“I think it would get a higher grade but [the campus] would be very difficult for someone in a manual wheelchair.”

While this statement is not wrong, there was little Marymount could due to change this due to the hilly terrain.

One issue that Wood emphasized was that the elevator in Gailhac is very old and often takes a long time.

“Sometimes it’s so slow that it actually makes me late for class.”

Overall he thinks that Marymount has done a “good” job of meeting his needs so that he can easily get around campus.

It is well known that parking at college campuses is never easy, as there is almost always a lack of spaces. Marymount does have handicap parking but it is limited.

“I wish they would have more handicap parking because if we leave and then come back I have to circle around the lot a few times because the few number of spots that [Marymount] has are often taken quickly,” Wood said.

Marymount also has special dorms that are larger for disabled students.

“I was really surprised at how nice my room was and how much space I had,” said Wood. “When looking at schools I knew I needed a room that would be big enough to easily move around in with my wheelchair, and to fit all the equipment I need.”

It is imperative that colleges nationwide make it a priority for their campuses to be up to date on handicap accessibility. In fact, the American Disabilities Act holds all colleges to a certain standard. While colleges do meet these standards, Wood feels that colleges should go beyond what the law says.

“It shouldn’t have to be a law for us to be able to get around as easily as other people. We want to get an education just as much as anyone else, and have a right to do so as anyone else does,” Wood said.

While there are laws in place ensuring that disabled students have the ability to receive the same education as all, it is still a challenge to find the correct school.

Morgan Gerdon, a commuter student who had previously attended West Virginia University who suffered after a boating accident said, “I never realized how hard it was to get around campus until I wasn’t able to walk wherever I needed to be. I had a really hard time, and it really opened my eyes to see that schools don’t have the best accommodations.”

It is difficult to find the right place when disabled and looking for a school, although Gerdon has now recovered from her injuries.

“I think Marymount is way more accessible than [West Virginia University] is. I never really thought about it until you asked me, but I would have had a much easier time getting around here” Gerdon stated.

As awareness about student disabilities continues to rise, Wood hopes that “schools will continue to update their campuses and buildings so that it is easier for disabled students to get around.”

With technical advances and the spread of awareness, schools across the United States must continue to update and accommodate all of their students, as receiving an education is a right for all American people, regardless of their physical and mental abilities.

“I will continue to advocate for myself and others to ensure that in the future kids don’t have to have the same issues I did with finding a college that worked for me,” Wood said.