Most of us go about our daily lives on campus without ever worrying about how we’re going to get from Point A to Point B. Our legs work perfectly fine, we’re not in pain just from walking, and it’s only 2 flights of stairs to get to most of our classrooms. The construction on campus is a nuisance, but it won’t affect our ability to get to and from class. However, not every student has that luxury; students with disabilities and chronic illnesses often have an incredibly hard time maneuvering around campus.
Wilson Library’s elevator was broken for most of last semester. Carolina Covenant and Achieve scholars will know that Vance Hall is not accessible at all—if you want CPA or Playmakers vouchers, be prepared to hike up some rickety old steps. Dey Hall’s elevator is terrifying, and its handicap-accessible entrances are hard to find. None of the automatic doors in the Stone Center worked last semester. And if you want to visit a friend’s dorm room in Old Campus? Forget it.
For UNC senior Amber, who has a connective tissue disorder, the bricks covering all campus pathways are a particular hazard. “Nearly everyone on campus has tripped over a loose brick at some point,” she says. “Even my mom tripped over one, and she was just visiting for a couple days! I have tripped 14 times this school year, which I know because I’ve dislocated my knee every single time.” Loose bricks are not just an inconvenience; they lead to pain, damage, and medical bills for some.
UNC has been making an effort to replace some of the older bricks in the last few months, but they don’t seem to be focusing on high-traffic areas, such as in front of the Union, and the construction blocked off certain buildings’ wheelchair accessible entrances.
Nez, a junior at UNC, says that even in the supposedly accessible dorm where they live, the automatic doors hardly ever work. Further, they say that “the classroom buildings, student stores and Lenoir are super hard to maneuver in, even for an able-bodied person.” In an effort to provide more seating, the Top of Lenoir added extra tables this year. But with no added space, it’s hard to walk around inside the dining hall, even for perfectly healthy people. Students using mobility aids such as crutches or a wheelchair have found it nearly impossible to comfortably eat at Lenoir.
This campus was not built with disabled students in mind, and those of us with disabilities and chronic illnesses have that fact shoved in our faces on a daily basis. However, no one else seems to realize that there is even a problem.
So please, when you notice that an automatic door isn’t working, make an effort to hold it open for someone. When you’re stuck walking behind a person in a wheelchair, try to be understanding about the speed at which they’re moving. When the person in front of you is going down the steps one at a time, have some compassion rather than huffing in annoyance. Realize that, if you’re able-bodied, the world—and this campus—was designed with you in mind, and try to have patience when it comes to those of us who don’t move through the world as easily as you do.