OAJ Hot Take: Breaking Barriers to Accessibility or Building Them?
The piece below is part of our weekly blog post series written by the Open-Air Journal team where we explore issues at Heller, current events, or whatever is presently on our minds.
March marked the celebration of Disability Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility Month at Brandeis University. On February 29, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion LeManuel Bitsói and Communications Specialist for the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy Mel Ptacek emailed the Brandeis community recognizing the historical struggle for disability rights in the United States and the ongoing efforts towards inclusion. The email also stressed the importance of intersectional activism and acknowledged the challenges in realizing the commitments of disability rights laws. Furthermore, the email emphasized that the University continues to actively foster an inclusive environment for its diverse community. Bitsói noted that over 20% of undergraduate students identify as having a disability. Unfortunately, accessibility on campus is not meeting the needs of the students.
Two weeks before the email, The Justice, published an article emphasizing Brandeis' inaccessibility. Bottom line: Brandeis University is falling short in providing accessibility for students with disabilities, lacking both infrastructure and support services.
As of right now, staircases are crumbling, elevators are broken, on-campus student housing remains inaccessible, ramps are in short supply, the Office of Accessibility Support is facing staffing issues, communication regarding accessing disability services lacks clarity, and campus transportation fails to provide easy and necessary features for students with disabilities. The administration acts as if inaccessibility on campus is inevitable, but it is an active policy choice that they make every day. Brandeis must urgently prioritize accessibility initiatives to ensure all students can fully engage with the campus community.
In March 2023, the Student Union passed a resolution condemning Brandeis’ accessibility policies and requesting the installation of a ramp at the Brandeis Counseling Center. Initially, the administration planned to cover the entire cost of the ramp but then changed their mind, claiming it was too expensive. After avoiding their financial obligations, a student and faculty member sought alternative solutions. Through the Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund (CEEF) and the ADA Projects budget, the ramp was approved. According to the Department of Student Engagement website, the CEEF comprises $250,000 from the Student Activities Fee, a mandatory charge for all matriculating undergraduate students. In the 2023-2024 academic year, each student was charged $598.
The university should take responsibility for funding accessible infrastructure on campus, rather than burdening the students with this task. For a school that praises working toward disability equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice, they fall short every time. Considering the zig-zag shape and sharp turns of the ramp, individuals in wheelchairs are faced with a significant challenge in maneuvering through this terrain.
Accessibility for people with disabilities on campus necessitates integrating universal design principles into the entire built environment. Universal design not only helps students with disabilities, but also students living in larger bodies for whom parts of campus are also inaccessible. For example, the metal chairs in the Shapiro Campus Center are incredibly narrow and all have armrests, which limits which students can physically fit in the seating. For a building at the “heart of campus,” limiting who can access that space sends messages to students about who belongs, and who does not.
The same is true in the Heller School. Small bathroom stalls, chairs in some of the classrooms in Heller, and the attached outdoor seating on the Heller patio create barriers to accessibility. Universal design can also help people who are left-handed, in addition to people in larger bodies, by not using chairs with attached desks. Considering various bodies and abilities is vital when purchasing furniture and creating spaces on campus. Failing to do so negatively impacts student experiences and creates barriers to access.
Ironically, Brandeis is also home to the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy. The Director of the Institute, Monika Mitra, states that “people with disabilities, like everybody else, should have the supports to live and to thrive in their communities.” It is a shame that the larger campus community cannot follow the principles of its own research institute, providing the tools students need to succeed.
Brandeis University is behind in adopting key steps to adequately meet student needs. Neglecting accessibility structures on campus serves as a deterrent for prospective students. With enrollment numbers already dwindling, implementing these measures might attract and retain students. Brandeis President Ronald Liebowitz must set aside his cost-saving rampage and realize that implementing accessible structural changes is a concrete strategy to enhance buy-in and improve student retention.
Rather than simply preaching the values of accessibility and inclusivity, Brandeis University must concretely invest in these initiatives. Emails and workshops are not the same as meaningful accommodations for students, staff, and faculty. If Brandeis wants to live up to its values, it must take disability justice seriously.
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