Recurring issues with accessibility on Winthrop’s campus has driven students into outrage.
By Ta’Ni Miller
News Editor
News
An Instagram reel posted by the Disabled Student Union gained traction amongst Winthrop students and staff after it addressed concerns of accessibility issues across campus.
The video mentioned issues such as inaccessible shelving and placement of food, utensils and cups in the Eagle Eatery located in the Thompson Residence Hall. It also highlighted a lack of alternative food choices for students.
Winthrop requires students who live on campus to purchase a meal plan. Students with dietary restrictions or food preferences expressed that they should be given more options if required to purchase a meal plan.
Students with gluten free restrictions, severe food allergies and religion based dietary restrictions have a limited choice in dining options.
Students have witnessed that the section in the dining hall that houses alternative food options is often not stocked during most hours of the day.
In addition to food issues in campus dining spaces, issues of old infrastructure and problematic maintenance to sidewalks have been raised.
Many existing doorways, elevators, and ramps have frequent service issues, making it difficult for people utilizing mobility aids to navigate safely on campus.
One highlighted example in the video included ledges on doorways and sidewalks that can create a dangerous situation for wheelchair users. Such roadblocks can cause the user to lose grip on their items or cause the chair to fold.
Layne Collins, freshman elementary education student, is one of the founders of the Disabled Student Union and was featured in the instagram reel.
The Disabled Student Union is a proposed student club awaiting approval by SGA whose goal is centered around “creating community for disabled and able-bodied students,” said Layne. “We want to create a safe space to talk [about] accessibility so we can make a more aware and connected place.”
Due to these issues on campus, students with mobility aids do not feel comfortable or safe navigating to classes. Students should feel comfortable and able to traverse campus without the need for assistance from others.Emma Grace Davidson, Office of Accessibility Representative in the Student Government Association (SGA) who serves as a bridgeway for students with disabilities to voice concerns to upper faculty and staff, is another founder of the Disabled Student Union.
She explained that the union was formed to help address issues of ableism and help educate others on why accessibility is important.
“I am always on Instagram posting questions if I need to get in contact with anyone. I am also working closely with our ADA coordinator here.” Davidson said.
The ADA coordinator is an official who works closely with the university to ensure that they are in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
SGA also hosts campus safety walks throughout the year where they identify hazardous roadblocks on campus.
Davidson shared that some of her efforts in this position include getting handicap parking spots added around campus and issuing notices for uneven sidewalk terrain. These notices go to the university and are then flattened for wheelchair users.
“In my opinion, accessibility should never be optional. It makes students comfortable and Winthrop advertises that it is a place for all, so it should be. That is why I am willing to speak up and speak to anyone I need to,” Davidson said.
When asked if a proposed deadline on the university to have elevators and other accessibility transportation fixed in a timely manner would help students, she said “it would be beneficial.”
“From personal research I have conducted you can look at the papers on the elevators and see when they were last serviced. It has been years for a lot of them on campus… In my opinion, if we’re putting money into certain aspects of campus, we could also allot time and money for accessibility concerns,” Davidson said.
Students interested in learning more about the club can follow the official union Instagram @disabled.student.union.wu for more information.
