Undergrad study finds disabled access poor
Issue date: 11/8/07
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Walking to the library or entering Levering Hall are two simple actions that people without disabilities sometimes take for granted, students in a sociology class said last week.
Six groups from a Sociology and Disabilities class looked at the O'Connor Recreation Center, Levering Hall, Hodson Hall, Krieger Hall, Shriver Hall and the MSE Library to evaluate the disability access to each building and found areas of improvement for every building. They noted their own observations while comparing their results with American with Disabilities Act standards.
"ADA only sets standards for designs and people reserve the right to file a complaint," an ADA specialist from the Department of Justice said.
"I wanted students to look at disability in the physical environment and give students hands-on experience to see what are the obstacles of being disabled in one's environment," said Christian Villenas, a sociology graduate student and professor who uses crutches himself. Students were also asked to make recommendations based on their findings for improving accessibility for the hearing, visually and physically impaired.
In the library, students found that the doorways to the graduate rooms are 26 inches wide while a normal wheelchair is 30 inches wide. "This creates a physical barrier and therefore a social barrier, though the library does a pretty good job," student Jeffrey Vlasic said.
Students pointed out that a simple trip to the library took a physically disabled person a lot of effort since the library is located uphill from everywhere with the exception of the freshman quad. The group also pointed out that a lot of wheelchair accessible buttons do not work on weekends. The bathrooms on the B- and D- levels are not wheelchair accessible, a member said. "Our main concern is that the library is the hottest spot on campus - it's well-frequented and used, but it still is not accessible," a group member said.
The group recommended more extensive online reserve and delivery services so that the disabled can avoid an arduous trip to the library if they choose.
Six groups from a Sociology and Disabilities class looked at the O'Connor Recreation Center, Levering Hall, Hodson Hall, Krieger Hall, Shriver Hall and the MSE Library to evaluate the disability access to each building and found areas of improvement for every building. They noted their own observations while comparing their results with American with Disabilities Act standards.
"ADA only sets standards for designs and people reserve the right to file a complaint," an ADA specialist from the Department of Justice said.
"I wanted students to look at disability in the physical environment and give students hands-on experience to see what are the obstacles of being disabled in one's environment," said Christian Villenas, a sociology graduate student and professor who uses crutches himself. Students were also asked to make recommendations based on their findings for improving accessibility for the hearing, visually and physically impaired.
In the library, students found that the doorways to the graduate rooms are 26 inches wide while a normal wheelchair is 30 inches wide. "This creates a physical barrier and therefore a social barrier, though the library does a pretty good job," student Jeffrey Vlasic said.
Students pointed out that a simple trip to the library took a physically disabled person a lot of effort since the library is located uphill from everywhere with the exception of the freshman quad. The group also pointed out that a lot of wheelchair accessible buttons do not work on weekends. The bathrooms on the B- and D- levels are not wheelchair accessible, a member said. "Our main concern is that the library is the hottest spot on campus - it's well-frequented and used, but it still is not accessible," a group member said.
The group recommended more extensive online reserve and delivery services so that the disabled can avoid an arduous trip to the library if they choose.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Cara
posted 12/11/07 @ 6:22 PM EST
What a brilliant idea to have students make observations and comment on what can be done! I applaud Prof./Grad Student Villenas for coming up with such a demonstrative study!
CaraDiCicco33
Cara
posted 12/11/07 @ 6:33 PM EST
What a brilliant idea to have students make observations and comment on what can be done! I applaud Prof./Grad Student Villenas for coming up with such a demonstrative study!
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