As an institution that encourages a diverse population of students, Andrews University must, of course, accommodate and make sure to promote accessibility for everyone. In light of this week’s highlighted theme, which is accessibility and disability, I talked with Kristine Walker-Fraser, the Associate Director of the Student Center and the Student Intervention Coordinator/Disability Services Coordinator, to find out more about what Andrews University offers for students with physical disabilities.
During our talk, Walker-Fraser explained that “depending on the need, the student would come in and go through the process,” which consists of filling out various forms, presenting documentation, and going through an interview process to determine the student’s particular needs, accessible here. It is important that the student approach Student Success, as they cannot help if the student does not reach out. During the interview process, “we discuss the disability, we discuss how the disability interferes with movement, and then we discuss what I can do to give any kind of accommodation.” After that step, depending on the student's needs, Student Success can then make certain accommodations, such as classroom accommodations or changes, or moving the student to the first floor of Lamson or Meier, since both buildings currently do not have elevators. This would “clearly depend on the needs of the student.” The same process is followed for temporary disabilities, such as physical injuries, requiring interviews, documentation, and filling out certain forms.
Walker-Fraser mentioned that Student Success does “not have transportation for students,” but she does “ask PT for a wheelchair if a student is in need of a wheelchair for a short amount of time.” She added that if the physical disability is caused by an injury such as a broken arm or leg where they need that type of accommodation, Student Success “normally [sees] what the doctor recommends and [they] try to provide what [they] can.” She mentioned that, unfortunately, Student Success does not have access to golf carts or such for transportation across campus. “We do what we can to provide what is necessary should there be a physical disability,” she finished.
While this information is not advertised consistently throughout campus, it is available on the Andrews University website, and the Student Success staff is more than willing to help and answer any questions students may have. If you want to contact them, email the Student Intervention Coordinator/Disability Services Coordinator at walkerfr@andrews.edu or pay Student Success a visit in Nethery 210. This article’s focus is physical disabilities, but it should be noted that the Success Center provides accommodations for students with other disabilities as well. More information can be found here.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.