WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Many USC buildings have problems with handicapped accessibility

Many USC buildings have problems with handicapped accessibility

(Columbia) June 15, 2004 - It's easy to rack up miles when you're a student at USC. There is a lot of walking involved in getting from one class to another.

Imagine taking on the sometimes hilly terrain in a wheelchair. Anna Shecut didn't consider it much until about a month ago, "I've taken my legs for granted for so long."

She's a nursing student at USC and recently had surgery on both feet. She's getting around with a wheelchair until she heals, "I just have a glimpse of what people who are permanently handicapped have to go through."

The university has been recognized in various guides like Tweeds Guides as one of the most accessible schools in the southeast. Deborah Haynes is the director of Student Disability Services, "I can't think of any building that a student can't get into."

The door to the School of Nursing is not handicap accessible. Haynes says part of the problem is because some of the buildings on campus were constructed before 1990, "Buildings already in existence were exempt from the ADA as the accessibility requirements." Haynes says some are being renovated and brought up to date, but, "Some of the buildings may never get that way."

Anna says a lack of curb cuts allowing sidewalk access and ramps that are too steep are not only scary, but she says maneuvering around the maze adds considerable extra time to get to class.

Haynes told News 10 when people come to her with a problem, she looks into it, "Legally we're required to do it, but on and above that, it's the right thing to do."

Haynes says during October, which is Disability Awareness Month, some administrators from USC spend the day in a wheelchair to see what students have to go through. She says it's always an eye opener.

You can call Student Disability Services at 777-6142 if you have an accessibility issue you want looked into. Anna told News 10 that everyone at USC has been extremely nice and helpful to her.

By Kara Gormley
Posted 6:18pm by BrettWitt