Jackie Kostyuchenko PZ ’28 and I, Zena Almeida-Warwin PO ’28, met early in our first semesters through the 5C New York network. I personally have had the privilege of paying little mind to accessibility in my day-to-day, but through befriending Kostyuchenko, who uses a mobility scooter, I have been made aware of accessibility shortcomings on campus. After an interview, we’ve decided to share Jackie’s experiences and shed light on accessibility shortcomings at the 5Cs.
Jackie Kostyuchenko:
For most able-bodied students at the 5Cs, navigating campus is a thoughtless routine. From attending classes to visiting friends’ dorms, few are forced to consider whether they’ll be able to effectively access a building or have adequate support to do so. For students with physical disabilities, campus accessibility is a daily obstacle that dictates where we go, what we can do and what we can participate in.
I use a mobility device that I transfer in and out of, limiting me to a small number of steps at a time. Living on campus, I have had firsthand experience with the challenges posed by inaccessible infrastructure and insufficient institutional support. While Pitzer College, the youngest of the consortium, has been a better experience for me in terms of accessibility, the same can’t be said for the rest of our consortium. Most dormitories at Pomona lack elevators. Scripps’ picturesque architecture relies heavily on staircases, forcing students with disabilities to take long-winded, inconvenient routes. Even when elevators and platform lifts are available, they are unreliable and many require key access.
Unreliable emergency support exacerbates these accessibility issues. When I found myself trapped in the basement of Pomona’s Thatcher Music Building due to an elevator shutdown, I did what any 5C student would do and reached out to Campus Safety for assistance. Despite explaining my urgent situation, I was met with inaction, which discouraged me from reaching out in the future. It was incredibly frustrating. It became clear to me that the operators were uninformed and ill-equipped to deal with my situation. At the time, my parents happened to be visiting for Family Weekend, so I was able to call them to assist me.
The Thatcher security guard informed me that Pomona “turns off” elevators in some buildings after 8 or 9 p.m., even though the buildings remain open late at night. For example, KSPC, where I’ve volunteered, has an office located in the basement of Thatcher and is completely inaccessible. This deliberate and scheduled inaccessibility is unacceptable, especially since information wasn’t readily available. Facilities managers should alert students to facility outages ahead of time, in addition to malfunctions and scheduled maintenance.
Housing remains a constant struggle. Pitzer’s Disability Services has a tendency to discard genuine input from students with disabilities. Despite requesting a roommate on the housing form and reiterating this over Zoom, Disability Services — under the inaccurate assumption that a single room would better accommodate my needs — assigned me a single just two weeks before moving in. Disability Services disregarded my word and autonomy. Instead, other people decided what was best for my disability.
Once they had corrected the mistake and given me a roommate, I requested one metal grab bar placed in the shower for me to lean on if needed. The grab bar never arrived. I am left marveling that Pitzer preaches social justice and diversity louder than most, yet they dismiss my needs.
Inclement weather presents the most dire situations. During a sudden downpour, I faced a 20-minute commute from Pomona’s Mason Hall to my dorm. Fearing the rain would damage my scooter’s battery and mechanics, my friends and I explained my situation to Campus Safety. They refused assistance, claiming they only respond to emergencies. After referring me to Pitzer’s Disability Services, they told me I should have scheduled transportation 24 hours in advance: a policy that is plain impractical for unpredictable weather.
The most unsettling moment came during our second call to Campus Safety. After another operator reiterated their refusal to assist, we overheard the previous operator say, “Well, if we do this for her, then we’d have to do this for everyone.” When I confronted this appalling remark, both operators fell silent. Seeking further clarity, I later contacted Pitzer’s Disability Resource Services again. Associate Director of Disability, Access and Success, Jessica Austin, was apologetic and contradicted the 24-hour advance notice claim, reassuring me that Campus Safety made it up as an excuse.
Zena Almeida-Warwin:
Inaccessibility often takes away one of the best parts of college: impromptu dorm hangouts. I live on the second floor of Pomona’s Wig Hall, so at least for the time being, I can’t host Kostyuchenko or our broader friend group. There have been many cases in which we’ve waited at the bottom of staircases during dorm hangouts, excluded from the conversations and connections happening above. We lose potential memories.
Thankfully, most academic buildings and public spaces across the 5Cs, such as dining halls, are accessible. Even while these areas are generally navigable, our administrations have displayed a pattern of lacking accountability and proactive support. As Kostyuchenko stated, Campus Security and Disability Services can be uninformed and inconsistent in their offerings. Additionally, outdated accessibility resources and frequent equipment malfunctions are a sign of systemic apathy that fosters a constraining environment for students with disabilities.
While it’s unrealistic to expect overnight infrastructural modifications, the 5Cs must prioritize long-term investments in accessible infrastructure. UC Berkeley, for example, is known for its accessibility despite its hilly terrain and early founding in 1868. Functioning elevators, ramps and automated doors are not luxuries — they are necessities. Additionally, Campus Safety and 5C Disability Resource Centers must implement comprehensive accessibility training to better support students in moments of need.
We propose an online platform where students can access up-to-date accessibility maps as well as report inaccessible spaces, malfunctioning elevators or instances of inadequate support, with guaranteed follow-up and timely resolutions. A comprehensive 5C-wide reporting system for accessibility concerns, proactive management and transparent communication with students with disabilities is essential for fostering a more inclusive environment.
Students who feel passionate can also advocate for improved accessibility by participating in student government initiatives and engaging with the Disability, Illness and Difference Alliance (DIDA), and Pitzer College’s Chronically Ill and Disabled Student Alliance (CIDSA). A more accessible 5C community is possible, but only if we commit to systemic change.
Zena Almeida-Warwin PO ’28 is from Brooklyn, New York. She is hopeful to have an accessible dorm next year so the location of friend group hangouts and weekend festivities can diversify.
Jackie Kostyuchenko PZ ’28 is also from Brooklyn, New York. She is hopeful Zena has an accessible dorm so she can attend said friend group hangouts and diversified weekend festivities.
Facebook Comments