I strongly feel my comments were taken out of context in The Lamp’s “College Inaccessible” article from the April 15, 2015 edition. I would like to make a few comments and clarifications in response to Ryan Wilson’s article.
While I am sure his article was written out of fear and frustration after a major power outage at Lincoln Land on March 17, we must realize that there was no eminent danger.
In the article, I did state I cannot reach the elevator buttons at Lincoln Land. The truth of the matter, though, is I cannot reach or access elevator buttons independently unless they are in a set up like the Beckwith elevators (pictured in Ryan’s article) at the University of Illinois, so I am used to directing personal assistants with this task in most other settings and do not find it to be a burden. The Beckwith elevator was specifically designed by engineers at U of I, and funded by donors.
I think it is important to point out that no space is entirely universally designed and accessible for all. Even the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, ranked among the top universities in the country for disability services, has buildings and classrooms that are inaccessible to some individuals.
I am not saying Lincoln Land couldn’t use some accessibility improvements. Lowering the automatic door operators and improving bathroom areas would be helpful. If they haven’t already done so, I recommend designating “rescue assistance areas.” These areas are typically marked yellow boxes at the tops / bottoms of stair wells for persons with disabilities to wait. Emergency personnel are often trained to check these spots first, to assist, during an emergency.
Improving awareness among students, staff and trained professionals will help everyone to respond safely and efficiently to instances such as power outages and disasters. I can write with certainty, that Lincoln Land faculty and students are much more aware of the needs of disabled students after the power outage during March. It is that awareness which will add to the compassion of a great community college. It is the people, the culture, and the ethos of LLCC that make it possible for students of all abilities to thrive, and why I am successfully continuing my pursuit of a professorship.
Alexis Wernsing 2011 LLCC Alum
