Every incoming class admitted to the University is declared more diverse than the last, but some forget diversity describes more than race or gender alone. Disabled students make up a small and often unrecognized minority at the historic, yet often wheelchair-inaccessible, University.
Third-year College student Allison Scott has Morquio syndrome, a disease that causes joint complications?. Scott can only walk short distances, so she usually uses an electric scooter to navigate Grounds.
"It definitely makes my experience different," Scott said. "There are a lot of other things I have to think about when I go places on Grounds, such as, 'Will the building be accessible?' or, 'Will I be able to go where I need to go?'"
Scott is hardly alone at the University according to Debbie Berkeley, assistant director of the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center. Berkeley said nearly 500 students per academic year describe themselves as disabled and go to LNEC for assistance.
LNEC's goal is "to ensure equal access to all of [the University's] academic and other activities here for students with disabilities," Berkeley said.
The majority of students LNEC assists have learning needs such as ADHD, she explained, but the center's services are available to many others.
"We also have a number of students who are deaf and hard of hearing, blind or have physical disabilities," Berkeley said. "We also help students with chronic medical disabilities ... like diabetes or chronic digestive disorder ... a number of different types of medical conditions that students are maybe managing but aren't likely to go away."
When students come to LNEC, they are offered consultations and assistance in arranging academic and housing accommodations.
Scott said her housing at the University was adequate during her first two years.
"I can't think of anyone we haven't been able to make physical arrangements for ... we've been pretty successful at meeting anyone's needs," Director of Accommodations John Evans said.
He explained that several modified living spaces on Grounds are reserved for students identified by LNEC.
"We've modified some apartments to make them wheelchair-accessible ... along with other pretty extensive individual modifications as needed by individual students," Evans said.
Though her room was easy to access, Scott still had issues when she tried to visit friends on upper levels of her dormitory.
"There are only a handful of dorms that had accessible elevators and ... my best friend lived in a dorm that wasn't accessible," Scott said.
Though she was limited in this respect, Scott said she and her friends were able to work around the inconvenience.
"It kind of forced me and my friends to be more creative," said Scott. "We'd meet somewhere more acceptable, or they'd visit me in my room."
Getting to classes also has posed some problems. Scott said the University has helped her arrange accessible course schedules, but noted she has encountered some complications when attempting to use University Transit Service buses.
"I had some trouble with them because lots of their buses were not up to code," Scott said, noting that some of the buses' lifts did not operate properly.
Third-year College student Celeste Doerwaldt, Scott's first-year suitemate and second-year roommate, said she remembered Allison being on the phone frequently.
"When she talked to the University, they seemed very willing to help her adapt, but in practice it was very hard," Doerwaldt said. "If she wanted to use a bus, she'd end up inconveniencing everyone on the bus and delaying it. It doesn't really work."
University Ombudsman Brad Holland, whose role is to make sure the University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, said the University is not the easiest place for people with disabilities to live.
"One of the larger problems we face is we have an old campus and a hilly topography, so it's not that great for peoples with disabilities," Holland said.
Scott said the difficulty of maneuvering may account for the small numbers of wheelchair users on Grounds.
"A lot of times the accommodations they make are constructed after the building," Scott said. "You have to take the long way around."
Still, Scott said she has never had difficulty getting to class on time -- even across campus from the Chemistry Building to Wilson Hall -- though she might arrive only in time to sit in the back.
Holland said other accessibility problems on Grounds are the brick pathways and the availability of handicapped parking spaces, but noted the University is constantly trying to improve these issues.
"It's definitely true that having an old campus makes it harder," Scott said, adding that she does not get the opportunity to participate in "the daily experience" of going from Cabell Hall to the Rotunda along the Lawn because of several sets of stairs.
Doerwaldt said she learned a lot about the issues facing disabled students on Grounds from Scott.
"It definitely opened my eyes to the inaccessibility of places around the University that I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't shared her experience," Doerwaldt said. "She shouldn't have to feel like she's a huge exception because she has to deal with these issues, but she has to deal with them."
Despite the difficulties she has faced, Scott said her disability has never prevented her from participating in activities at the University such as this summer's "The Culture of London" program with the English department.
"It was definitely challenging [to get around] -- much more challenging than at the University," Scott said. "There were tons of stairs ... but other people in my program were wonderful and helped out."
Despite her navigational difficulties, Scott said she enjoyed the experience.
"It was hard," Scott said. "But I was so glad I was able to do it ... Overall, it was a great learning experience."
Both Holland and Berkeley said their doors are open for students with disabilities to discuss problems they face on Grounds, though both said they think the University is doing a good job providing for these students.
"Students for the most part are satisfied with the services, and when they're not, they feel comfortable discussing that with us to help us resolve what we're not doing correctly," Berkeley said.
Scott said openness to accessibility improvements was a factor in her decision to attend the University.
"U.Va. wasn't ideal, but they were willing to make changes to make it work. That was very important to me."
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 4 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 6 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
