students with disabilities consistently Advocate for yourself on campus. UT often emphasizes comprehensivenessbut there is still a long way to go to better support students with disabilities.
One of the ways UT makes the campus more accessible is by providing a paratransit service, a shuttle service for students with permanent and temporary disabilities.
of University of Minnesota, University of MarylandWhen Texas A&M We operate a paratransit shuttle service. UT should follow the lead of these institutions to create paratransit services to foster academic engagement and success.
Social work freshman Fabiola Amaya said she struggles with accessibility issues around campus.
“We need to allow about 30 minutes to go from the dormitory to each class and from the class back to the dormitory,” said Amaya.
Students with disabilities don’t have to worry about going to class. UT can help make that happen with our paratransit services.
“The problem I have is that I can’t attend these[extracurricular]events because[there is]no one who can just get there or walk with me to these events and back to the dormitory.” said Amaya. “(Shuttle service) would solve this problem I’m facing now.”
Amaya also said that although UT’s social work program was her number one choice, she was disappointed to come to UT because the university does not have a paratransit service.
“I thought about going to community college for a few years and then transferring to UT to see if the system would eventually improve or if it would offer students some choice,” Amaya said.
The established bus system is advertised as a way for students to move around campus. However, buses do not travel around campus and cannot transport students to classes.
“All the disability department said[in response to our complaint]was either the bus system or bring your own car,” Amaya said. The system was very limited in that it could not enter the campus and was not focused on passengers with disabilities.”
Kerri Battles, director of communications for the Office of Financial and Government Services, addressed these concerns in an emailed statement.
“The university does not currently have a program that includes shuttles for people with disabilities. Maps, hereCap Metro can provide information about shuttle services available through Metro Access for people with disabilities. “
However, the bus system will not be the solution for paratransit services that students with disabilities currently need. You can’t even access the inside of the campus. This is an important reason why students with disabilities advocate for accessibility services.
Currently, the lack of paratransit services is an obstacle for students with disabilities wishing to engage in academic work. By offering a shuttle service, you can start participating in extracurricular events and organizations that should be easily accessible to all students.
last spring, 3,246 The student registered through Disability & Access and requested accommodation. While this number may be smaller than the larger undergraduate population, 40,000 Students, don’t forget your students.
UT is required to provide shuttle services so that students with permanent and temporary disabilities have the same academic opportunities as all other students on campus.
DonJuan is a Plan II and Economics freshman from Quanah, Texas.
