Facilities is waiting for the University of Indianapolis’ Master Plan to address ADA accessibility issues that have existed on campus.
Director of Facilities Bruce Miller said he is currently working with an “outside company” to gather information that could help improve ADA accessibility. Larger changes are expected to align with UIndy’s upcoming master plan, which will outline the university’s direction for the next five to 10 years.
Facilities does not have immediate plans to make accessibility updates, Miller said, but the department makes individual accommodations for students with disabilities as needed. A budget is set aside for ADA-related adjustments, and facilities work with residence life on a case-by-case basis, according to Miller.
“We have a student who has joined the university this year who presented some unique ADA requirements,” Miller said. “We focused on that for close to a month and a half, preparing her dorm room and getting her access to the buildings that she needed on campus.”
A student in an ADA dorm said that their room followed ADA requirements on paper, but faltered in practice. The bathroom is where most issues are present, according to the student. There was no light in the shower when the curtain was closed, there was a huge lip making it hard to get in, and the shower rails were positioned in a way where the student had to move the curtain to hold onto them.
“My shower head is kind of busted,” the student said. “It sprays water off the side and it lands directly on the metal rail. What am I supposed to do with that? I have no grip and no traction. I’m just grabbing onto it and sliding down. God forbid I lose control of my legs or something.”
According to Miller, Warren Hall presents the biggest accessibility challenge because it does not have a ramp. He also noted that another residence hall does not have an elevator, but did not specify which one.
“Res Life has to be a little bit more conscientious of where they put students with accessibility issues,” Miller said.
Accessibility repairs are addressed either by Facilities staff or an “outside company,” depending on the issue, according to Miller. Maintenance staff can complete some repairs on campus, and they keep spare parts on hand, but most ADA door repairs are handled by an “outside company.”
Miller said that Facilities conducts annual checks of ADA doors, but issues that arise between inspections are addressed when work orders are submitted. Once a work order is submitted, Facilities typically responds within one to two days, according to Miller. Repairs that require an “outside company” may take longer based on the company’s availability. ADA-related issues are placed higher on the Facilities priority list than routine maintenance tasks, he said.
Students can report ADA-related concerns by calling Facilities at 317-788-3258 or emailing maintenance@uindy.edu or facilities@uindy.edu.
