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Brandon Weisenberger

Daily Egyptian


Recommendations to improve accessibility for disabled people at the Student Health Center will soon be reviewed by SIUC authorities, officials say.

The accessibility committee is not releasing specifics of its analysis until Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Larry Dietz, whose office oversees the Student Health Center, looks over the recommendations this week.

Dietz will forward the recommendations to a panel led by Associate Chancellor of Diversity Seymour Bryson. The panel will decide if the recommendations should be acted upon and if any violations to the Americans with Disabilities Act occurred, said Student Health Center Director Cheryl Presley.

Presley said the committee formed in response to complaints from disabled students and at least one faculty member has identified several troublesome areas in the center. She contended the facility was built to code in terms of accessibility but recommendations were made for the "ease of utilization."

"I'm really committed to having a building that is comfortable for everyone," Presley said.

Burt Pusch, a post-doctoral research student who served on the committee, said action was taken on some problem areas between February and late April when members met. The shutting time on automatic doors was slowed and a barrier was placed on a stretch of sidewalk that turned into steps.

Pusch was one of the first students to voice concerns about accessibility at the Student Health Center. He said he foresees most other recommendations being acted upon, though he remains skeptical.

"Once I see action taken, my concerns will be quelled," he said. "Overall, it was a good experience and I was pleased that higher-ups took action and heard us out."

Kathleen Plesko, director of Disability Support Services, said the building's design was compliant with disability guidelines, but some installation errors occurred. She said the panel led by Bryson will have the final say on what should be done.

"Now we just have to wait to see if these recommendations merit any action," she said. "The good news is once concerns that had caught students' attention were voiced, there was almost an immediate response."