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Disheveled campus causes complications for students with physical disabilities

by Alison Fosbenner
Staff Writer

As Appalachian State University continues to develop into a more diverse community, it is necessary to facilitate such diversity despite challenges.

With construction projects sprawled all over campus, pedestrian route changes and blocks, getting around can be difficult for anyone, not to mention anyone with a physical disability.

Hunter B. Palmer, a junior political science major, is one such individual.

“These construction projects are for the long term good of the campus. And, a lot of the construction is construction that needs to be done,” Palmer said. “It just so happens that we’re unfortunate enough to be here at the time when it is all being done.”

Patrick A. Beville, project manager of Design and Construction, feels that the current disability accesses are “the best that we can offer given the construction circumstances.”

Joe Strickland | The Appalachian Hunter Palmer said despite obstacles he still loves Appalachian State and the community.

“Construction definitely has its moments,” Palmer said. “It’s extraordinarily difficult for me to get to the post office and the bookstore.”

As if getting to and around the bookstore isn’t complicated enough, disabled persons are instructed to “access the bookstore from the loading dock at the rear service entrance,” according to an online pedestrian route access notice.

But first they must go to the information desk in the student union and ask the person on duty to contact the bookstore.

The procedure continues through to access the bookstore from the back of the Student Union to the loading dock.

Luckily for Palmer, he said that disability services picks up his rental textbooks. If he must purchase a book, he confides in companions to assist him buying such texts.

In addition to construction concerns, Palmer encounters other daily physical challenges. The topography of Boone can be risky for anyone.

“This is the only town where everything is uphill from everything else,” Palmer said.

When comparing weather conditions to the construction issue, Palmer said he feels the weather is worse.

He comments that he can call on someone if he runs into a problem getting around construction, whereas weather conditions can be uncontrollable.

“The snow removal process isn’t as efficient as it might seem, in my judgment. I think they do the best they can,” Palmer said. “But, there are things about it that I think are a little less efficient.”

He explains that during the winter he often notices mounds of snow piled up in handicapped parking spaces and along curb cuts.

“Sure, the snow is hazardous for everybody – disabled or not.” Palmer said.

For many, such a situation might cause a great deal of frustration. Palmer, unlike some, maintains a positive attitude.

“Most days you just have to keep it under control,” Palmer said. “There are some days when you lose it, but my friends are there to calm me down and tell me that it’s not really worth it.”

Beville said he certainly understands the frustration caused by construction.

If given one request, Palmer said he would ask for the installation of more automatic doors, and to ensure they work properly.

“It’s something that we are currently implementing,” Beville said.

The abuse of automatic doors is one concern that both Palmer and Beville said. They stress the importance of the use for only those who need it.

“Able bodied people do need to realize that when they do use those doors, it does put a lot of strain on the motors, and these are motors that are having to move very heavy doors and can burn out very quickly,” Palmer said. “I know it sounds like people are being knit-picky when they say that, but there really is a good reason.”

Beville emphasized that students, faculty, and staff who do not need the assistance of an automatic door, should not use it, because of the problems caused.  

Regardless of the physical barriers he may run into, one thing is for sure, Palmer adores Appalachian and the community.

“Boone is just one of the nicest towns. The people here are incredibly warm and always willing to break their backs to help,” Palmer said. “I feel that ASU’s students, faculty and staff, by and large, 99.98 percent have been wonderful.”