Built in the 1930s as a part of Roosevelts Public Works Administration, Jesse Dunn is a labyrinth of stairs and hallways that lead every direction.
While this makes for a beautiful building and allowed hundreds of depression era men to earn a respectable wage, it does not permit anyone with a physical handicap easy access.
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed. This law made great strides in furthering the rights of those with any form of disability from discrimination.
One of the many provisions of this act was that any new buildings must provide a ramp or lift that allows for wheelchair access to the structure. While Jesse Dunn was built well before this act, it is unfortunate that there is still no entrance offered to those with a physical handicap.
Jesse Dunn is just one example of how out-of-touch Northwestern is with its handicap accessibility.
As a University, we must be accommodating of all individuals. The campus layout and lack of handicap friendly doors and buildings does not create a handicap-friendly environment. The layout of the campus is a major obstacle for anyone confined to a wheelchair.
The individual must travel to the ramp that is placed at the entrance of Percefull Fieldhouse or go around Ament and Fryer Halls to reach the Coronado Café or South Hall from the center of campus. These individuals are also confined to the first floor of the various dorms, along with Herod Hall, as there are no elevators.
A simple addition that the campus has yet to invest in is automatic doors. While Vinson Hall has one located at the east entrance, the other buildings on campus are not equipped with them at all. This is an inconvenience that our fellow students must confront every day.
While we have a supportive student body that happily assists in opening the doors, our handicap students should not have to be reliant on others to navigate their own campus.
Our cross walks are another area of concern.
Though the crossing on College Blvd. near the BSU has flashing lights, there is not an audio cue for those who are visual impaired. This is the same case for the crossings on Oklahoma Blvd. near Gambino’s. The cross walk on Monroe St. that leads to South Hall has no signal at all. By adding this cue, we can ensure safe crossing for all of our student and faculty.
While the campus is behind in many capacities, it is important to note the ways in which the university has worked to accommodate those who are handicapped.
There have been projects to improve our ramps, such as the ramp in front of Percefull Fieldhouse, which was redone recently.
There are also many buildings that have elevator access to the various floors, including Fine Arts, the Student Center, the Education Center, Vinson Hall and the Science Building.
In conclusion, it is apparent that our administration cares for its students, but there are many details that must be looked at to improve the university grounds. We have an obligation to create the best atmosphere for our ENTIRE student body. By making some subtle changes, we can enhance the safety and quality of the life for our disabled students on campus.