by Sadie Shields
Over the past 20 years, accessibility on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus has changed. From a new route on Dennis K. Walker Greenhouse to the new all-gender restroom at Jenkins Hall, different kinds of accessible infrastructure can be seen around campus everyday. Yet faculty, students and community members still address issues of accesibility on campus.
Cal Poly Humboldt is listening to concerns about accessibility raised by students, faculty and community members. Mike Fischer, acting vice president for administration and finance, assured the campus community that admin is addressing student concerns.
“We know that accessibility concerns have been raised by our students, faculty and community members, and I want you to know that these voices are being heard.” Fischer said. “[There’s] encouraging news about the progress we’re making at Cal Poly Humboldt to ensure our campus is accessible to everyone in our community.”
Through the Committee for Accessibility and Accommodation Compliance (CAAC), Humboldt is working to make sure to remove those barriers created by accessibility issues and promote inclusivity where everyone can belong and participate.
Fisher also talks about how the hills create a difficult landscape to create accessibility around campus.
“It’s hard to rely solely on the exterior to be able to navigate north, south and those particular areas [of Founders Hall, University Center, Science Buildings and the BSS Building], so one thing about getting to this level from that level is accessing the elevators in buildings,” Fisher said. “This is a small little thing, but it is pretty significant in the amount of effort and time it truly takes. Previously, there was a trip hazard and a barrier of about an inch and a half where concrete sank over time.”
While the local geography poses a challenge, Cal Poly Humboldt plans to make the largest coordinated accessibility effort in its history. The university has already fixed at least 300 trip hazards across campus in their latest summer inspection. The fixed sidewalks included the west entrance to Siemens Hall, where the accessibility tour began. They have also installed 26 accessible drinking fountains around campus, completed 10 major projects which involved fixing sidewalks, doorways and doors, and updated 2,800 documents, 135 videos and 46 podcasts for digital accessibility.
The Campus Disability Resource Center wait times for getting an appointment for the first steps into receiving accommodations wait time from four to six weeks to one to two weeks. Cal Poly Humboldt also had four drivers for two shuttles this semester, which makes the wait time less for those who use the disability shuttle. The CDRC also was able to prepare all returning student accommodation paperwork by the first week of classes. Humboldt is finalizing the updated ADA Transition Plan, expanding accessible parking and shuttle services and planning a Disability Awareness Day to strengthen dialogue throughout our community.
“We know that trust is earned through action, not words,” Fischer said. “Thanks to the dedication of our students, staff and faculty working alongside CAAC, we’re creating real change toward a campus where every person can participate fully and equitably.”
Sadie is a junior Communications Major, Journalism minor at Cal Poly Humboldt who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and wildlife journalism, and a slight interest in breaking news. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu
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