The Bucks County Community College Disability Pride Club recently concluded a project, The
Accessibility Index Project, a student led survey and analysis on the level of accessibility of all
three Bucks County Community College campuses.
Inspired by the Strategic Plan Town Hall meetings, where an item on the 10-year strategic plan
includes increasing diversity and accessibility, Disability Pride undertook this project starting in
March.
Based on 20 criteria raised—out of 100 points — with each criterion only being able to get a
score between 0-5.
Criteria ranges on assessments of ramps, elevators, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
compliance, to issues regarding food intolerances and allergies as well having a range of
accessible student activities. This undertaking has involved interviewing many departments and
people, as well as conducting internal surveys within Disability Pride (acting as a focus group in
this case).
“It was pretty easy to conduct it—I’m a little too engaged on campus. I know everyone:
faculty, staff, and students alike. I keep joking I’ll pay rent if they would let me!”, Ethan Greco,
the President of Disability Pride jokes, “Though I wonder if anybody was ever perplexed about me measuring hallways, doorways, ramps and such and scribbling furiously in a flimsy
notebook. I certainly got a couple of weird looks.”
Disability Pride’s goal in this project has been to assess the current issues and work on
solutions—or what can be determined to be reasonable and feasible solutions as well as
identifying any potential underlying issues that could be considered more egregious.
Speaking on the role of diversity-based clubs such as Disability Pride, Ethan had this to say,
“Diversity clubs and organizations have a unique role at Bucks. You have to be multi-faceted. On one hand, you are a social opportunity for the minority you represent. On another, you are the bridge between the students you represent and the greater campus—with events and activities to bring awareness or culture to the rest of the student body, and then you are also that representation at all, the focal point should issues arise whether they be internal or external.”
Among the results, there were some more severe accessibility barriers. Julia Nordberg, a
student at BCCC noticed some things when attempting to navigate campus.
“What I’ve personally noticed, as a wheelchair user on campus, is that some of the little lips
[underneath doors, usually bathrooms or doors leading from outside] around the school are just a half-inch or so too high for me to get my front wheels over easily. This has been extremely prevalent for me at the entrance to the Multimedia Center and the bathroom off the side of the Gateway Center on the main floor.” Nordberg also mentioned issues within the Hick’s Art Center – a building she frequents due to
being a Multimedia, Design, and Digital Arts major, The only button that opens the second door from the outside is the button on the railing that
opens both doors at the same time. This wouldn’t have been a problem last semester if I didn’t have to lug my portfolio through both doors, which would inevitably get stuck between the doors
and then I’d run out of time for the second door being open and I’d have to wait for someone else
to open the door for me. There’s a button in the inside of the second door to get out, but no
button on the outside of that door to get in. Also, if it gets too rainy/snowy the button on the
railing out there doesn’t work and I’d be stuck out there once again.”
Issues like the one Nordberg faces are the reason why clubs like Disability Pride exist, to help
bring awareness to matters that might not affect everyone. Disability Pride has had to encompass
all of that, which is people anticipate with diversity clubs.
That’s why things like this are important to showcase. Saying something needs to be done and
showing that something needs to be done are two separate things.
For anyone interested in seeing the results of the Accessibility Index Project conducted by the
Pride Disability Club or have any questions regarding how one can help enhance the resources of the Pride Disability Club, feel free to reach out to Ethan Greco at
[email protected].
With the AIP its not meant to be a demand – only a conversation piece. Saying something that
needs to be done, (by presenting the data and what can be considered the worst examples) and showing that something needs to be done are two separate things, and thats what we hope to accomplish.