Something that actually drives me insane is how inaccessible some college campuses are, it makes me glad that I'm not currently in a wheelchair (even though my joints are absolute shit and at this point even a few minutes of standing is PAINFUL) because I genuinely would not be able to get to my classroom if I was in a wheelchair because the only elevator is a 200 year old freight elevator that some able bodied people struggle to operate. I physically would not be able to get up to my classroom without help. I also would not be able to get to certain areas of campus without taking a path that's significantly longer than what the able bodied students would take (including going into multiple buildings, taking the elevators up, and going out different exits.) Some buildings are entirely inaccessible because the only way to get there is by taking the stairs. not to mention many buildings do not have ramp access. If they do, the ramps are often not salted or plowed, which is essential in the cold climate I live in. Many of them are very rough from the freeze-thaw breaking up the asphalt. Where there are ramps or slopes, some of them are very steep. I often opt for the stairs instead and hope for the best because the ramps are steep, far out of the way, or dangerous. I don't live in the dorms, but if I did, it is unlikely I would be able to access them. The hallways are barely wide enough for two people to walk down at the same time, much less a wheelchair. All of the dorms have stairs up to them (they're on a bit of a hill) and no ramp. Thankfully I'm not a full time student there, so I live at home and commute, but I'm going to an accessible college in the fall and I'm so thankful for that. I just hope I can get some type of mobility aid before I leave so I can actually walk around with a decreased risk of just falling randomly. I really would love to do a deep dive on this. To take pictures and document where my college goes wrong with its accessibility.
