Plight of students with disabilities

FOR MORE THAN two months, I’ve been forced to view life from a different angle after breaking my ankle in a recreational soccer game.

While on crutches, my eyes were opened to some subtle struggles people with disabilities face around Fresno State everyday.

To gain access to a building, people with disabilities have to go through specific automatic doors leading to an elevator. This can be an inconvenience if the student only needs quick access to the building but happen to be on the wrong side. In such cases, the student is left with several options: calling the campus escort for a ride – which could take a few minutes; go around to the automatic door, or just use the closest door.

Going around was out of question and it didn’t seem right for me to call the campus escort just to get a ride around a building.

I don’t remember how long it took to open a door before my injury, but I know roughly how long it takes on crutches – about 10 seconds. That is more time than a world-class sprinter needs to clear a 100-meter dash.

I had to lean on my crutches and steady them under my armpits to free one hand, and then pull or push the door hard to open the door wide and have it stay open long enough for me to regain my grasp on the crutches and get into the doorway.

And to ensure the door doesn’t hit me on its way back, I positioned one of my crutches firmly on the ground and wide away from my body to act as a door-stopper while at the same time swinging my body through the door.

Sometimes things didn’t work as planned and I got stuck in the middle of a door that closed back too quickly, but I’m glad I was never hurt.

But of all my challenges, none was greater than using the bathrooms on campus. I don’t know about the ladies, but for guys, when you have to go, there is not 10 seconds to waste opening a door.

And as most guys may be aware, using the urinal is a two-hand affair.

But when you’re on crutches, with only one foot to stand on, a bladder that’s about to explode and no rails to hold onto while handling your business, things can really get complicated.

Fresno State has done a lot to accommodate students with disabilities; there are elevators and automatic doors in every building on campus. The university also offers various academic support programs through Services for Students with Disabilities.

And through an efficient escort service offered by the parking department, students with disabilities can call for free transportation around campus. I found the service valuable and the escorts pleasant and helpful.

The campus community is also very patient and understanding toward the plight of people with disabilities.

But despite all the strides made in improving the conditions for students with disabilities, more needs to be done. The university should consider making all external doors automatic to make them accessible from all sides.

Bathroom doors should also be automatic and the stalls should be modified to accommodate the special needs of students with disabilities.

It’s two days since my doctor allowed me to walk again, I believe I’ll recover from my injuries, but I’ll never forget the valuable lessons I gained from the experience.

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