Let's go the extra mile for wheelchair accessibility
We have to do better
All buildings on any college campus should be handicapped accessible. Unfortunately, some of the buildings on Winston-Salem State's campus are not.
Too often, I see students in wheelchairs on our campus struggling to open doors and get into buildings. For example, Carolina Hall has a wheelchair ramp but the door is not automatic. So once a person in a wheelchair gets to the door, they have to struggle to open it. WSSU, we have to do better. The handicapped accessible door located at the back of the building facing the Old Maintenance Building is often locked. Students must go around the building and through another door because some- one forgets to unlock the door. WSSU, we have to do better.
The Thompson Center is the main building on campus and it is a highly visited building. The doors to the main entrance should be 100 percent wheelchair accessible but they are not. There is a wheelchair ramp at the back of Thompson that leads to the ground floor and the elevators. If someone in a wheel- chair visits our school and doesn't know about that entrance on the ground floor, should he or she have to struggle to enter. WSSU, we have to do better. The main doors to Thompson are already heavy
for a person without a disability. Imagine how difficult it may be for a person with a disability. WSSU, we have to do better.
To exit the cafeteria one must go out a turnstile. How are people in wheelchairs supposed to exit the cafeteria? If the front door lines are short, they can exit from the front entrance. If the lines are long at the front door, they have to use the doors that lead outside. WSSU, we have to do better.
Wilson Hall is not fully wheelchair accessible, but has handicapped accessible rooms. The doors do not automatically open when a student swipes their Ram Card. All the dorms on our campus should have automatic handicapped accessible doors. To my knowledge, Rams Commons has wheelchair accessible doors. WSSU, we have to do better.
The Old Maintenance Building, the workplace of campus police, was recently renovated. According to the Campuses of UNC Accessibility, all newly built build- ings and renovations must meet the N.C. requirement for handicapped accessibility. The entrances of the Old Maintenance Building are handicapped accessible but there are no handicapped accessible signs posted outside of the entrances. WSSU, we have to do better.
Our campus should not just meet the minimum requirements for disability mobility. UNC Accessibility scores tally the University at 75 percent handicapped accessible. Why not go the extra mile and make it 100 percent to make campus life enjoyable and comfortable for those on our campus who use wheelchairs. WSSU, we have to do better. Make sure you pick up the next issue of The News Argus on Feb. 26, like us on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @WeHave2DoBetter.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More thenewsargus News Articles
- CAMPUS CREW; What do you think about the new arrangement in the cafeteria?
- Welcome back Ram Family
- ‘Empire’ vs ‘Black-ish’
- A final Look Editor's Column: Leap of faith
Recent thenewsargus News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THENEWSARGUS
WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties By Elijah Richardson
Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds By Elijah Richardson
Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve By Elijah Richardson
Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season By Demetrius Dillard
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
LATEST THENEWSARGUS
- Black Business
- WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties
- Controversial Wake Forest Tweet Sparks Outrage
- Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds
- Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve
- UREC Looks To Continue and Improve Student Engagement Through Physical...
- University Recreation To Hold Personal Training Pilot Study
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
RECENT THENEWSARGUS CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
- Your Child’s Tomorrow Begins Today
- Choose Beer Grown Here: Anheuser-Busch is First to Adopt...
- Helping Alleviate Children’s Anxiety
- Vitamins and Minerals: Fortifying Against Poor Oral Health
- Do you PHIT? Why A Career in Public Health Informatics...
- Do you PHIT? Why A Career in Public Health Informatics...
- Shining a Spotlight on Kidney Health: Get to Know Your...
- Phony Investment “Opportunities” Can Cost You Big, Say...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Ash Carter Exchange Showcases Innovation and National...
- AI Expo for National Competitiveness Announces Key Sponsor
- 2102: PRETENSE, THE PLAY: New Literary Novel Overlays...
- Why It's Important to Talk About Inheriting Wealth
- 100% of Latino Grads Start Trades Careers With Centro...
- Sound Solutions: How Generative AI is Enhancing Business...
- Wow Your Easter Guests With A Very Easy Spring Surprise...
- Tips to savor springtime and reflect on li...
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Captivating Reads
- Wow Your Easter Guests With Easy Spring Surprise Cake
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- State Department Announces 2023-2024 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions