Oregon daily emerald., November 14, 2003, Page 5A, Image 5

Accessibility at UO
improved with Lillis,
new space designs
New buildings and additions
such as automatic doors are
making the campus better
for people with disabilities
By Chelsea Duncan
News Reporter
The University is well-known for its
accessibility to people with physical
disabilities, but many agree there is still
some work to be done.
Freshman Ingrid loan, who uses a
wheelchair, said she still faces chal
lenges from time to time even
though most buildings on campus
are accessible.
loan — who works with Mobility In
ternational USA, an organization that
supports the rights of people with dis
abilities — said she has had difficulties
with opening doors on campus and us
ing equipment, such as overhead pro
jectors in class.
"Some of the doors are very hard to
open in some of the buildings," she
said. 'They are very heavy."
She said she recently gave a presenta
tion in class and needed to use the over
head, but it was too high for her to
reach. Another student helped her use
it, but that made her feel dependent,
she said.
mat person does not always exist
there," she said.
Overall, loan said her experience on
campus has been positive, adding that
she considers about "90 percent of the
campus" accessible.
"There's still a little bit to do," she
said. "But it can be done."
University Planning Office Planning
Associate Fred Tepfer said the Universi
ty complies to more regulations than
federally required, and things are al
ways being upgraded to create a more
accessible campus.
"The University of Oregon is seen
around the country as an example of
universal design," he said.
He said one thing that needs to be
considered when designing new build
ings or spaces is how welcoming they
are to people with disabilities.
Tepfer cited the plans for the new
federal courthouse, which initially cre
ated an uproar in the community be
cause of its lack of accessibility, as an ex
ample of this concept.
He said the main entrance in the
original courthouse designs, which
is accessed by stairs, was not wel
coming to people with disabilities.
Although there are plans for an ele
vator entrance, there was no ramp in
the original design.
"It's not just the accessibility of
(buildings), it's the look and feel," he
said. "Do you feel welcome there?"
Tepfer added that standards for ac
cessibility also change over time, which
means continuous upgrades in older
buildings around campus, such as
adding automatic doors and ramps.
Disability Services Counselor Molly
Sirois said this often means buildings
are upgraded in accordance to requests
from people with disabilities.
"Buildings have been retrofitted
to be accessible," she said. "It's an af
terthought."
Tepfer said new buildings, such as
the Lillis Business Complex, apply
smart design for accessibility. Even
though the building is a couple of
blocks long, with elevation changes
and an uneven middle, it was made
into one of the most accessible build
ings on campus, he said.
"By accessibility standards, the Lillis
building is tremendous," he said.
Sirois agreed that the Lillis Busi
ness Complex is welcoming, but she
said the rest of the campus is only
"fairly accessible." *
She said people designing campus
buildings are often unaware of how
someone with a disability might view
the final product.
i nere aren t many Duuaings on cam
pus that were designed by individuals
who have physical disabilities," she said.
But that could change this year. Sirois
said Disability Services Director Steve
Pickett, who uses a motorized wheel
chair, is serving on the Campus Plan
ning Committee, and his perspective
aids in the design of new buildings and
spaces on campus.
'"Ihey're going to be getting the per
spective and the input of someone who
on a daily basis has to confront physi
cal barriers," she said.
Sirois said when people with dis
abilities find things inaccessible, it can
lead to feelings of loneliness and frus
tration. She said she would like to see
classroom furniture "revamped" to be
inclusive to all individuals, not just
those in wheelchairs, but students
who have large body sizes, chronic
pain or are left-handed.
"I think the more we can start to
think more broadly about the range of
differences in physical movement of in
dividuals, the more we'll be able to pro
vide a more equal opportunity in the
classroom," she said.
Contact the higher education/
student life/student affairs reporter
at chelseaduncan@dailyemerald.com.
Tim Bobosky Photographer
Freshman Ingrid loan, an international student from Romania, said the campus is fairly
accessible, but added that she has had difficulties using some equipment on campus.
STUDENTS•FACULTY•STAFF
Flu Vaccination
AT THE UO HEALTH CENTER
For Students
Beginning October 15 • Cost $10
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
• All treatment areas in the University Health Center.
For faculty/staff eligible
dependents over 13 years of age
• Clinic Saturday, November 15, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Beginning October 15
• Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 - 9:00 am
• Area C in the University Health Center
Cost: Vaccine free for those who present their UO ID and Blue Cross Insurance Card1
• Vaccine $18.50 for UO faculty/staff/retirees who do not have Blue Cross Insurance
Who should get the Flu Shot?
• Persons 50 years and older
• Persons with any of the following conditions: Long term heart or lung condition, kidney
disease, cystic tibrosis, diabetes, asthma, and conditions which compromise the immune
system.
• Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season
(Nov. - April).
• Physicians, nurses, staff, and anyone else coming into close contact with people at risk of
serious influenza.
Cost
Students: $10, All other faculty/staff: $18.50
Faculty/Staff/Dependents 13 yrs. and older: free to those who present UO ID and Blue
Cross Card
For more information, call the University Health Center • 346-4444
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