Photoessay #2893 - Inaccessible!

I'm sorry to say that I have let the disability community down.  By enabling the situation by not accepting the disability office' offer to relocate my class.  "No, no," I said, "I'll figure it out." 

Anderson Hall.  Built 1925.  Handsome lecture hall on the second floor.  No ramps.  No elevator.  Nada, nothing.  I was shocked to realize that this building was inaccessible.  The university says that the building has been designated 'historical,' so they can't put in an elevator.

I talked to my young professor and he didn't quite understand that some people would not take the class because they couldn't get up the stairs.  I can get up the stairs.  But my disabiltiy is carrying so I use my old lady roller bag.  I can't get the bag up the stairs.

So, instead of taking up the offer I said I would make do.  Which is to ask a student to take my bag up the stairs.  They always will.

But today, we had a very special class.  A Holocaust survivor Magda S.  The professor has been talking this up all quarter.  Be sure to come.  Don't miss this opportunity.  You are the last generation who will be able to hear about the Holocaust from witnesses.

So she came today, wonderful talk.

But it started late.  Magda, age 90+ who came with her son.  The young professor said with shock "This building is inaccessible!  It doesn't have an elevator!"  She obviously had a hard time getting up those stairs.  She did get up the stairs somehow with help.

Duh!  Toldya!

Afterwards, I did chat with him.  "I never even thought about it." he told me, "I guess I just assumed that there would be an elevator."

So now he knows.  He'll check next time.

But I enabled it by not insisting they move the class.

Anderson Hall and Magda (picture taken 2004)