Rollin’ on through: Events promote disability awarness

Imagine what it would be like to have to push yourself around campus and to have to plan your route according to where the disability ramps are located. Thanks to the Roll Your Own event, students were given the opportunity to stop imagining and give it a shot, on Nov. 11. Students were able to use a wheelchair to try and get around.

“It showed me the struggle that people go through every day that are disabled in a wheelchair,” said sophomore political science major Alecia Carlise.

During the early afternoon hours on Nov. 11, about 50 students decided to brave the cold weather and cross the campus in a wheelchair. Participants were given a map with arrows directing them through the course.

They started at the Bobcat head on Front Campus and were given the option to take the long route, which extended all the way to Montgomery Street, or the short route, which cut through Arts & Sciences.

Prior to participating, Keilah Johnson didn’t think that it would be as difficult as it ended up being.

“The doorways are too narrow, there is not a lot of space and it’s really hard to turn,” Johnson said. “I can’t imagine how difficult it would be if there were actually people in the hallway.”

Even alumni showed up for the event.

“The hardest part was going down the hill. I almost ran into a door on Arts & Sciences trying to stop,” said Trey Bernard from the class of 2010.

The end result of the event was participants gained a new awareness for  physically handicapped students.

“It’s definitely a lot more physically challenging than you realize. It’s a lot more time consuming than it is to walk,” said junior political science major Jay Parker.

Vice President for Student Affairs Bruce Harshbarger, also participated in the event. Harshbarger described the experience as gratifying and he was glad to be afforded the opportunity. He took special note of some of the rough and bumpy surfaces and said he would look into improving those surfaces for easier wheelchair access.

Director of Disability Services Mike Chambers was pleased with the way the event went.

“This event was aimed to increase awareness of disability-related issues by giving individuals an opportunity to navigate campus in a wheelchair,” Chambers said.

Chambers also mentioned future events in the Spring similar to this one, which will focus on increasing awareness of disability-related issues.