Access to some areas of campus still inadequate

Despite the installation of a wheelchair ramp to the University of Montana’s International House, getting to the building is still troublesome for disabled students, according to the Alliance for Disability and Students at the University of Montana.

There is also no disabled access to the Native American Studies Department and the Counseling Center on Eddy Avenue.

Under Montana law, public events cannot be held at a location that does not have disabled access. Every year, an e-mail is sent to all University staff by President George Dennison reminding them of the law regarding accessibility, said Jon Pielaet, ADSUM administrative head.

Pielaet said that the recent installation of a wheelchair ramp and bathroom facilities in the International House now allows disabled students access to international programs that they were unable to reach until last Friday.

“There was absolutely no way for a wheelchair to get into the I-House,” Pielaet said. “All students can now be involved with the international program.”

Getting to the building from campus, however, is still a nuisance due to the severe crumbling condition of the south-side sidewalk.

“It’s really messy,” Pielaet said. “There’s no accessible method of travel from campus to the I-House.”

Pielaet says that now, wheelchair users have to go around an extra block just to get to the building.

Effie Koehn, director of foreign students and scholar services, says that efforts are being made to repair the sidewalk.