Think about your morning commute to class during your day at Otterbein. In order to get to your 11:30 a.m. English class in Towers, you climb two flights of stairs, dodge between students and plop down next to your friends. That takes about five minutes - but for a student in a wheelchair, that trip to class isn't nearly as easy. On Monday, the Academic Support Center hosted an informational meeting called "Is Otterbein Accessible?" designed to get student opinions about the status of disability access on campus for those who are physically disabled. "The purpose of the student meeting was to generate ideas on accessibility," said Leah Monaghan, disability service coordinator at Otterbein. "We are in the information gathering stage ... in order to make strategic plans for the future." Gabby Angelico, sophomore business administration major, helped to lead the meeting because she is concerned about certain areas such as the bathrooms in Roush Hall, the Cardinal's Nest, the psychology building and many of the dorms. Other students expressed their input as well. "Having the elevator in the Campus Center so tucked away, it does not encourage any kind of diversity and inclusion; it actually discourages that, which I find incredibly appalling," said Christine Horvath, senior English major. Several students mentioned areas on campus where accessibility is limited. One major concern for students at the meeting was the Office of Admission. According to Monaghan, there are an estimated 10 students at Otterbein with physical disabilities. Hayley Whitman, senior psychology major, wants to see things change before she leaves. Whitman, who uses a wheelchair, spent the last four years making phone calls to security in order to get around campus. Though she considers herself to be resilient, she admits to feeling embarrassed on several occasions through her years at Otterbein. "I have no desire to go up to the cafeteria, I'd have to call security ... I just don't want to bother," said Whitman. In 1990, the American Disability Act (ADA) created guidelines for buildings and facilities, those features that make the building accessible. In August, David Bell, director of the Physical Plant at Otterbein, implemented a plan to install ADA access door openers in the Campus Center, Health Center, Cowan Hall and the Financial Aid Office entrance. "The city of Westerville installed ADA-compliant curb cuts throughout the city ... The city does a good job in working with architects to comply with ADA code," Bell said. Otterbein is now working to provide additional resources for disabled students. "We are doing small things on campus, adding push buttons on many doors of buildings and making the student commuter lounge more accessible," Monaghan said. The Academic Support Center wants to reach out to disabled and non-disabled students at Otterbein through awareness and strategic planning. Bridget Goggin, graduate student and intern for disability services at the Academic Support Center, said there is a pressing need for change. "We want to get these issues on the table. Right now, it's about awareness because a lot of faculty does not consider this to be an issue," Goggin said.
