Changes Made for Disabled at Hardin-Simmons University
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: August 30, 2011
As Hardin-Simmons University welcomes back students for the fall semester, returning faces will notice some of the most recent changes.
Travis Seekins, a faculty member says, "I think this summer it's been about details. We do more than just learning here. It's a living space too."
For those individuals with a physical disability, they may notice the changes more, being that they pertain to accessibility issues.
"One of the other things we've also done is include some ramps around the campus to make the campus more accessible. And again the biggest thing is just getting into the buildings and allowing the students to have access to those buildings," says Lindsay Edwards.
Over the summer, ramps were added and repaved in various locations around the campus. In addition to that, there were eleven new easy-access buttons added to doorways in several buildings.
"Getting into the doors are sometimes difficult and so door openers not only help our students who use wheelchairs, but also our students who may have a temporary disability to get into the buildings," Edwards says.
Matthew Addison remembers how hard it was for him when he was temporarily disabled due to an athletic injury.
"Like myself, I'm an athlete. I broke my hand last year and I didn't have a ramp. I needed help," he says.
Francina Martinez, a junior at Hardin-Simmons, is currently disabled due to an injury and couldn't imagine what life would have been like for her had she broken her ankle before these changes were made.
"It would have been really difficult because all my classes are on the second or third floor and the stairs with the bag and the crutches," says Martinez.
Although it is only the first day classes have been back in session, students say they are extremely pleased with the changes that have been made thus far.
"I'm very thankful they did this. They made a lot of improvements and made it easier for any student like me," says Martinez.
The Health and Accessibility Committee is pleased that their recommendations were taken into account for this new school year.
Travis Seekins, a faculty member says, "I think this summer it's been about details. We do more than just learning here. It's a living space too."
For those individuals with a physical disability, they may notice the changes more, being that they pertain to accessibility issues.
"One of the other things we've also done is include some ramps around the campus to make the campus more accessible. And again the biggest thing is just getting into the buildings and allowing the students to have access to those buildings," says Lindsay Edwards.
Over the summer, ramps were added and repaved in various locations around the campus. In addition to that, there were eleven new easy-access buttons added to doorways in several buildings.
"Getting into the doors are sometimes difficult and so door openers not only help our students who use wheelchairs, but also our students who may have a temporary disability to get into the buildings," Edwards says.
Matthew Addison remembers how hard it was for him when he was temporarily disabled due to an athletic injury.
"Like myself, I'm an athlete. I broke my hand last year and I didn't have a ramp. I needed help," he says.
Francina Martinez, a junior at Hardin-Simmons, is currently disabled due to an injury and couldn't imagine what life would have been like for her had she broken her ankle before these changes were made.
"It would have been really difficult because all my classes are on the second or third floor and the stairs with the bag and the crutches," says Martinez.
Although it is only the first day classes have been back in session, students say they are extremely pleased with the changes that have been made thus far.
"I'm very thankful they did this. They made a lot of improvements and made it easier for any student like me," says Martinez.
The Health and Accessibility Committee is pleased that their recommendations were taken into account for this new school year.
