Lack of handicap accessibility raises student concerns across campus

ADAM ROSE

Staff Writer

Accessibility for disabled students is not an issue the majority of people have to deal with on a daily basis, so most students do not think about it. However, accessibility on campus has been known to be an issue to students who have injured themselves, and there are some students who would like to see the situation improved.

“The whole process was slow-moving. The school is not prepared for this. I had to put my whole life on hold," said Amy West (06) who underwent foot surgery a few weeks ago and was temporarily forced to use a wheelchair in order to get around.

Naturally this made a huge impact on her daily activities and special accommodations had to be made. According to West, some divisions of the college were more helpful than others, but the overall affair was frustrating. West’s surgery even affected her classes. “My dance instructor insisted that I drop the (dance) class I was in, even though I only needed the chair for two weeks at most.”

West said that other administrative organs were more accommodating such as the Physical Plant, which built a ramp in West’s dorm to make it easier for her to get to her room. “The Physical Plant was very helpful to me; they were so nice to come down and build me my very own ramp. It made me feel that someone was caring enough to listen to my needs and do something about them.”

This is an issue that has chiefly received a low profile at Alma College, until very recently. Duane Knecht, Director of the Physical Plant, affirms his department’s commitment to work with students in this matter. “To the best of my knowledge, we have always been able to communicate with students with accessibility issues.”

According to Knecht, most of the academic buildings on campus are accessible, and certain residence halls are able to offer access to disabled students. “Bathrooms on the first floor of Gelston have been modified for accessibility, and South Campus has a room that’s been fitted for handicap students.”

Knecht explained that part of the problem with the existing residence halls is that they were built before the modern day accessibility code was in existence. For instance, it would be difficult to build a ramp or elevator in Bruske because of lack of space. Knecht said, “For every inch in height (of a ramp) you have to have a foot to drop. Also, after a certain length, you need to put in a rest place. This just can’t be done in those stairwells.”

In addition, there is the cost of modifications to consider. As Knecht explained, “It costs $60,000 to $100,000 at least for an elevator, and it costs even more if the building needs to be modified or rooms need to be removed.”

Knecht also mentioned that new buildings have to meet the modern code. “The new dorm will have an elevator that goes to all floors and will be fully accessible. In addition, the Recreation Center is fully accessible.”

At the end of the interview, Knecht made one more important point when he said, “Actually, accessibility has never really come up as a big issue on the campus.” This statement was echoed by the president of the Residence Hall Association, Amanda Leppek (06). Leppek said, “(Accessibility) hasn’t ever been brought up at one of our meetings. People can come to the meeting and start up a discussion. This is the kind of thing we’d love to talk about, but we need people to raise the discussion.” RHA meets in Gelston Fireside on Tuesdays at 9 pm.

There are some students who recently seem to be trying to take up the issue. Jared Weir (05) was part of a committee last summer that helped design and come up with ideas for the new dorm. He said, “There will be elevators, ramps, and suites with wheelchair accessible rooms. It will also have automatic doors.”

In fact, Weir is currently involved with a group of students interested in making a proposal to the administration to improve the usability of Jones Auditorium. Weir says, “We would like to bring people together with similar interests, including accessibility, to improve the situation.”

Another student, Katherine Secord (05), is leading a group of students who are gathering signatures for a petition for the college to improve accessibility on campus. Recently, the group posted signs around campus in an attempt to highlight the issue of accessibility. “We would like to see these improvements made," said Secord.

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