Campus Accessibility Considerations

MDA offers this checklist for prospective college students – a list of considerations to address when touring a campus. Whenever possible, the campus tour should be given by a member of the administration, not a student tour guide. While touring the campus and meeting with the Office of Disability Services, the following considerations should be addressed.

Campus Life

• Is the campus physically accessible to a student with mobility limitations or a student using a wheelchair?
• Is it possible to get from one class location to the next, using the accessible entrances, elevators, and ramps within the transition time allotted?
• Are walkways cleared with enough width that a wheelchair could safely get through during inclement weather?
• Will priority be given to the pathways used by the student with a disability?
• Is the campus located in a region of the country that will make campus life particularly difficult due to inclement weather conditions?
• Can arrangements be made to assist with the transport of textbooks?
• Will scheduling priority be given to students with disabilities?
• Is the Health Center capable of addressing my medical or physical needs?
• Is the Health Center physically accessible to me? Would I be able to access the Health Center’s services in an emergency?
• How far away is the local emergency department and hospital in the event of a medical emergency?
• Are there specialists nearby who can assist me if needed?
• Are buildings accessible via more than one entrance or elevator? Will I have a key, or assurance that this will always be unlocked?
• If there is only one accessible entrance, will I have access to school personnel who can immediately grant me access if I find this entrance locked or blocked (within minutes, not days)?
• Are there automatic doors on dorm and classroom buildings?
• Are the recreation areas accessible to me?
• If campus amenities include a pool, is there a lift into the pool? Do the lifeguards know how to operate the lift and other accessibility equipment?

Residential Life

• Are the residential dorms accessible?
• How are roommate arrangements made?
• Can priority be given for residence on an honors or quiet hall in order to accommodate for sleep needs due to fatigue?
• Are students with disabilities integrated into the residential areas, rather than being grouped together on one floor or location?
• Is there an accessible common area and restroom in all residential buildings?
• What is the culture of the campus? Could a student with a disability fit into that culture? If not, what can be done to eliminate some of those barriers/obstacles?
• Is there a predominant Greek system? Are sororities and fraternities accessible?
• Have arrangements been made for emergency evacuations of each building and residence?
• Have proper authorities (including RAs and security officers) been trained as to those procedures?
• Have RAs been trained appropriately?

Classroom Accommodations

• Are lecture halls, classrooms, and laboratories accessible?
• Is there a mandatory PE credit? If so, this should be adapted for inclusion, not automatically opted out of.
• Are professors aware of my needs? What arrangements can be made to inform them?
• Although it is my responsibility to request needed accommodations, are professors willing to make accommodations and be receptive and responsive to those requests.
• Is the academic ‘playing field’ leveled so that I may have equal opportunities for scholastic success, rather than unfair advantages or disadvantages due to my disability?

General

• Will arrangements be made to provide training and in-servicing to applicable staff, faculty, and members of residence life?
• Will an orientation session be scheduled for the start of each semester for students with physical needs?
• Should be done prior to start of semester.
• To include an introduction of all resources available to students with disabilities (note takers, emergency contact people, etc).
• Students should be given phone numbers (to be stored in their cell phones) for security and other immediate response personnel on campus.