Handicap Accessibility of Downtown WVU Campus

Jackie RamseyCaitlyn Earnshaw

Jaclyn Kincaid

Introduction

• We noticed a problem: WVU is an inconvenient location geographically for students

• Many of us have friends/family that choose not to go here because of the difficulties it imposes

• oneWVU includes them, too

WVU Rules

• By law, it is not required that every entrance be handicap accessible

• When new federal regulations come out, they do not have to be accomodated immediately – only when renovating.

• As stated in the Student Resource Manual, if a parking permit is requested for more than a month, it may be necessary to get a permit from your home state.

Consider:

• Wouldn’t WVU be a more competitive university if it catered more to potential disabled students’ needs?

• It would create more revenue for the school with the increased number of students willing to attend.

• The diversity disabled students would bring to WVU would allow for an increase in job placement upon graduation.

Map of Downtown Campus

• (map)

Interview with Office of Disabilities

• Picture• New regulations only come into effect when a

building is under renovation• Students to opt out of coming here because of

the geographical stress it imposes• Buses have to pick students up very early – Sometimes 2 hours early– Unavailable on weekends

Office of Disabilities

• WVU does at least what is required and does try to go above and beyond– Always areas for improvement

• Why it is/isn’t working• Additional problems

Theoretical Schedule

• List of classes• And locations• And times– See how easily achievable this would be for a

disabled student

Theoretical Schedule Layout

• Point locations on map

Interview with Student

“I really wanted to go to WVU when I graduated high school. But because of my disability, I felt it would never be an option for me. I decided to go to OU instead because the campus is a lot easier to get around. If WVU ever becomes more disabled-friendly, I think they would be surprised how many more people would apply.” - Erika Kincaid, Sophomore at OU

Interview with Parent

“

solutions

• These are all simple, easy solutions that would really change things on campus.

Benefits

• All of these changes would make physically disabled students lives’ easier

• It would promote their independence• Create a more positive image of WVU• Contributes to diversity• Generates more revenue

Conclusion