I would like to propose a university wide accessibility campaign to review the current structures we have in place and introduce new additions to support our students with disabilities. I believe that our current services are limited in multiple ways and that such a campaign would be beneficial towards ensuring the university is a safe and inclusive environment that supports diversity.
Entering, Exiting, and Using Buildings on Campus
All buildings must have automated doors both to access the building and to enter specific accessible flats. Examples of this are the Southlands Reef, the centre of the community for Southlands, does not have automatic doors. Many ground floor accommodations have automated entrances, but the individual flats do not.
Tighter measures to prevent students from propping doors open. As well as being a major security and fire hazard, obstructions on the floor could pose a major difficulty for those with mobility issues.
Immediate response as a top priority from security if the alarm is triggered in an accessible toilet. There has been an instance where the alarm was sounded in David Bell, and it took around ten minutes for security to arrive.
Pathways around campus
All pathways and routes around campus must be regularly checked and maintained to ensure they are accessible for everyone. An example of this is the pathway along the humanities buildings in Digby Stuart College which has many potholes and is not accessible.
Where routes around campus which may become inaccessible due to weather conditions, such as the pathways around Frobel lawn, there must always be an alternative accessible route.
Fire Safety
Ensure all refuge points are correctly detailed with the correct times one can shelter there. (The refuge points in the library do not have these).
Ensure all students who need it have and fully understand their personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEP). These plans must be made well known so those with short-term limitations, such as the use of crutches, can also have their own plan made.
Academic Support
Students who require support workers or any assistance must be able to access their timetables with plenty of time in advance so they can make arrangements.