Some
disabilities are obvious physical impairments, disabling students
such as EPCC’s Joann Cross and Michelle Adjemian to get through
doorways fast enough, even in their electric wheelchairs.
"Automatic doors close too quickly," said Adjemian, "and
sometimes they don't open until you're very close."
She
doesn't have many complaints about the Valle Verde campus in particular,
but does say, "The ramps going into the B-building are too steep."
She suggested handrails to ease the process. At this time there are
none.
Perla
Lugo sizes up the inaccessibility of one of the staircases of the
Valle Verde C-Building. Accessibility issues exist at all campuses.
Photo by Jarred Cynor
Cross
also has a complaint about the doors. "I even got my fingers
caught one time," she said. This year the CSWD posted signs throughout
all buildings that students with disabilities have "priority
use of the elevators."
"We don't expect preferential treatment, but when people who
are perfectly fine don't take the stairs, or the elevator passes me
several times with cleaning people, media people constantly going
in and out... priority means priority," said Cross.
Jan Lockhart is the Director for the CSWD. She said there are improvements
such as the lifts at the Rio Grande campus not yet installed, that
need to be made. She does see some improvements, however.
"Campus police have been judicious about taking placards from
those parking (in handicap designated parking areas)," she said.
The CSWD just had a conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24. It was the first
of its kind in the entire state of Texas. EPCC held an event at the
ASC on Viscount catering to the needs of the visually impaired.
Vendors provided samples of the latest technology for testing.
"The question of how to better assist all students and employees
of the college is ever present. As new methods are discovered and
developed, the college reviews them to see what can feasibly be applied.
Communication is the greatest asset used," said Lockhart.
"From the library they can exit out to the next building,"
said Lockhart. In the event of fires and evacuations, elevators are
not allowed to be used. Students with severe disabilities would depend
on a lift propelled by either the fire department or campus security.
At Valle Verde, there are several doors that either get stuck half
way or need to be pushed open to gain access to elevators.
Another request has been made for ramps to gain access on the Eastside
of the B-Building, opposite of the bus ramp, which is very steep.
Ruth Pena, an English Instructor and former Chrysalis Director, had
to physically demonstrate the dangerous complications of stepping
onto the curb rail with the guided assistance of her crutches. This
was before she resumed using her wheelchair. "They made it seem
like it would be so easy," she said.
Requests for ramps and other structural improvements go through a
committee called the Institutional Effectiveness Community.
"Schools must be ADA compliant according to a percentage,"
said Director Ron Stroud. "The community meets once a month to
discuss ways of improving the college facilities," said Stroud.
"There are procedures for requests like ramps."
First forms must be filed and sent to campus police. From there to
the campus dean who confers with the accessibility community. They
have meetings every other month to discuss such issues like the fire
problem, ramps and safety of current facilities.
There are currently 21 elective representatives in this community
including three students appointed by Student Government Association.
Nancy Tharp, in charge of safety, addressed the concerns about a possible
endangerment to students unable to exit the buildings in emergencies.
"Right now we are revising everything," Tharp said.
"We plan on getting together with the fire department since they
are the experts. We want students taken care of in the right way."
The EPCC Center for Students with Disabilities was established in
1979 in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
According to their website, "It serves as a focal point for integrating
students with disabilities in the college community."
By law, Section 504 defines "individuals with disabilities as
persons with a physical or mental impairment, which substantially
limits one or more major life activities."
According to a government website located at the U.S. Department of
Justice, "Major life activities include caring for one's self,
walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing
manual tasks and learning."
