A sign on the front door at the top of the steps to Owen Hall says the building is not accessible to handicap students. The one entrance to the basement doesn’t have an automated door, and if a handicapped student made it through the door, they would have to go down steps to get to the elevator.
“If you wanted to get in, you’d have to be an acrobat or be able to catapult yourself,” said Martha Engstrom, director of the Office of Disability Services for Students.
While historical, the old buildings on campus weren’t designed to be handicap accessible. Some modifications have been made, like elevators and electronic doors, but there are still parts of campus that are inaccessible or difficult to get to for physically impaired students.
Owen Hall
Inaccessible
Even though there is an elevator inside, there is no automatic door for students to enter.
Franklin Hall
Difficult
To access the Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), the student has to park in the disabled parking lot across the street, walk to the intersection at Kirkwood, and then walk around the building to the NE corner to the automatic door.
Herman B Wells Library
Somewhat difficult
The closest handicap accessible entrance to the parking lot is on the ground level by the food court, although Engstrom said that door is often locked at night. The only other accessible entrance is located at the top of the hill at the intersection of 10th and Jordan Ave.
Indiana Memorial Union
Somewhat difficult
To get around the IMU, students have to know where to enter, Engstrom said. There is an automatic entrance at the front and near the Whittenberger auditorium, but the entrances near Starbucks and the food court can’t be used because of stairs. Kiva is also only accessible through stairs.
Read Hall
Accessible
Each wing has its own elevator and there are three automatic door entrances to the dormitory. The top floor also has larger sized bedrooms that can fit extra beds in case a student needs an overnight attendant.
Ballantine Hall
Accessible
There are two handicap accessible entrances: one by the chemistry building on the ground floor and one on the second floor of the parking garage. Students in wheelchairs or other injuries can get a key from the DSS to use the elevator and a shuttle can drop students off in front of the door.
