Behind Stewie, next to the bench overlooking the LA horizon and the mounted pair of binoculars to better take in the view, is a slightly shorter pair of binoculars, accompanied by a wheelchair icon. At first glance, this gesture is considerate and inclusive: of course, those who need access to a shorter viewing apparatus should be afforded that opportunity.
However, the more I stared at the structure and the icon next to it, the more confused I became. The majority of those who access the binoculars do so by climbing up flights of steep stairs. Even if they avoid that treacherous pathway, the alternative is not much better, as the hill on the opposite side is equally, if not more, steep and miserable. It is nearly impossible to imagine anyone with any sort of mobility aid reaching the patio — at least not without a dedicated, painstaking effort.
This pair of binoculars — which I now cannot help but smile at, given how ridiculous and counterproductive they seem — represent a larger issue of accessibility at Oxy. Accommodations seem to be in place more for the appearance of inclusivity, rather than to actually help those who need and rely on them.
As an Oxy student with chronic illnesses, and invisible ones at that, which qualify me for both physical and academic accommodations, balancing my symptoms with my schoolwork has been a challenge I expected to face in my first semester. However, I was caught off guard when confronted with obstacles to obtaining my accommodations and communicating with professors. The difficulties I faced while trying to receive accommodations and the always-weighing symptoms of my condition added to the long list of other stressors that come with being a first year at college. Working with Oxy’s Disability Services during this time, I believe, has been a learning process for all.
Of course, outside of the classroom, my biggest obstacles are the steep hills and stairs that cover our campus, which present annoying challenges to even the most able-bodied of students — something I was unaware of when I decided to attend Oxy, as I didn’t have the opportunity to tour the campus. While it’s true that there is not much to be done about the fact that some genius decided to establish Oxy on top of a hill in 1912, it is also true that Oxy’s current efforts to make its campus accessible to all students are severely lacking compared to other Southern California universities with similar geographic challenges.
For example, although the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, Occidental currently offers no shuttle service specifically for disabled or injured students, which is offered by numerous other schools such as UCLA and Pitzer. Rather, students needing this service are forced to rely on Campus Safety, adding to their long list of on-campus responsibilities.
Accommodations for students with disabilities do more than just help students get around, they improve their mental health. As a student who sometimes requires specific accommodations, I have become well acquainted with the stress that comes with having to fight for them. Further, having an invisible disability myself, I am familiar with the surprise or confusion surrounding my need for specific accommodations. I am not alone in these feelings: 54.2 percent of university students experience chronic pain, in addition to the 19.4 percent of undergraduates with disabilities. These students are also at a higher risk of suffering from poor mental health.
As a college that constantly preaches a culture of care, Occidental as a whole needs to do a better job looking out for this vulnerable population of students, ensuring that they are all able to receive the accommodations they need, without making disabled students feel like a burden.
Staff can contribute to making the Occidental experience positive and comfortable for everyone by maintaining understanding communication and taking the time to familiarize themselves with a student’s accommodations. Students should not feel as though they have to constantly explain themselves or their disabilities in order to get the care and education they deserve.
Students can also help support their disabled peers by maintaining an open mind and understanding that not all disabilities are visible and that not everyone operates at the same capacity. Adjusting club meetings and other student-based activities to be more accessible is another way to ensure all students are included. Overall, Occidental as an institution needs to do better for its disabled community so that equal access to learning and opportunity can prevail.
Contact Paige Thomas at pthomas2@oxy.edu
[…] Behind Stewie, next to the bench overlooking the LAhorizon and the mounted pair of binoculars to better take in the view, is a slightly shorter pair of binoculars, accompanied by a wheelchair icon. At first glance, this gesture is considerate and inclusive: of course, those who need access to a shorter viewing apparatus should be afforded that opportunity. Read more… […]