Accessible Grinnell

Two students find out just how accessible Grinnell College is

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• grinnell
• college
• wheelchair
• disability
• accessibility
• Leah
• Amanda
• Jamie
• awareness

[accessiblegrinnell]

Also, I was definitely at an advantage because I had so much control over my body. In addition, people don't always have a lifetime to get used to using a wheelchair- just look at what happened to Jamie. As far as the railroad track crosswalks go, we are only allowed to have 3 of the specially designed crosswalks in place, and also there is the problem of getting up to the tracks, not just over them.

[hagemeis]

Not to diminish the accessibility challenges facing GC, but how much training did you have on using the wheel chair before trying to traverse a weather-affected campus? By the way, the railroad track crosswalks are designed for and by disability engineers.

[accessiblegrinnell]

That is a great question. It's true that I had no training using the wheelchair, and it did get easier as I tried going through various doors. However, being adept at using a wheelchair does not make those doors any lighter, the ramps any less steep, or stop the turns from being so close.

[hih2obaby13]

As a wheelchair user who is attending college, you tend to learn how to do a proper wheelie to get out of most situations. Also, door opening can be difficult, but you can learn after a week or so. You just learn how to maneuver around the barriers. Most architects and city planners are not fully aware of how to make something "accessible". You deal with it.

ps...i love seeing people do things like this. It is great to see able-bodied people understand for a day

[lednark]

By reputation, Grinnell seemed like such a progressive institution.  I wonder why they did not suggest/produce some temporary improvements; suggest revised/improved mobility equipment.

[hurstui9]

Hello

I send you this video on the university students with disabilities.

Carmine Rizzo

[websters08]

Hmm...No Limits?

[GrinnellAlumna]

Interesting - oddly enough they did not show the worst building on campus for handicap access the Forum.  Two students who were permanently wheelchair bound attended when I was a student and did well but no one should have to struggle with physical access this much.

[Cynicar]

Did you guys show this at TitHead at some point? I had heard about this video and was only now able to find it.

[ek4051]

Accessibley Not!!

[KimAndSophie]

It would be interesting to have someone who has been a wheelchair user for awhile and went through rehab and training to go there and do the same route as you did and compare them. If I lived closer I would do it just to compare both situations.

[EarthlingokIrish]

aaaahhhh women drivers!!

[rriviera03]

not bad.

one thing, though--the only way to improve on the railroad tracks would be to get rid of the tracks altogether. just saying. don't let the whole campus get in an uproar because i'm making an observation.