Opinion
 

The library: handicap (in)accessible

By Sarah Ohmer

Has the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library staff requested a constant flow of summer breeze? The doors at the south main entrance have been propped open since the day the new library opened. As it turns out, the open-door policy is directed at disabled students: the south main entrance of the library lacks adequate handicap access. 

Project director Derrall Parkin, in a less-than-efficient attempt to allow for handicap access, has kept the doors propped open for more than two months now. Air conditioning goes to waste, and a simple kick in the doorstops frequently blocks handicap access.

"This has been a high concern for us," Parkin admits. 

Maybe so, but it only became a concern after the library opening. The lack of architectural competence is nearly laughable, as it is clearly not designed to accommodate studentsi needs.

Physical and environmental requirements such as handicapped accessibility and wiring should be considered before the interior is ever designed. Thereis a cafeteria, a statue plaza and many wonderful elements that make the new library an enjoyable study environment, but designers ignored the needs of disabled students.

The Honors College, whose new home is in the library expansion, will also have its doors closed to disabled students until its main entrance outside of the library is opened. Jodie Koszegi, the project liaison for The Honors College, expressed little concern on the issue, explaining that there was an elevator to ensure access and there would be the appropriate door buttons on the main entrance upon completion.

Until then, disabled students may wave at The Honors College staff from the other side of glass windows, or hope that someone will be there to open the door for them.

M.D. Anderson is a public library, paid for by students for all students, even those with disabilities. Disabled students should not have had to pay any library fees this past semester, and should not until the problem is fixed.

Fortunately, this problem will be rectified within "the next couple of days, both at the south and the (Technology Support Services) entrance," Parkin said. The "design issues" that were raised about six weeks ago have finally been solved, but couldnit this problem have been prevented?

The issue has remained alarmingly invisible for the past year of construction. Parkin explained that the same consultants revised both handicap and emergency access. This begs the question, will more "design issues" arise in times of emergency? Fire alarms have been going off more than daily; what could go wrong in case of an actual emergency? Maybe the doors will remain shut; opening doors doesnit seem to be of much concern for this project. 

Itis great to have the new facility open and running. However, access for disabled patrons should never have been an issue. Disabled students who lacked proper access to their Universityis library need to have their fees refunded. 

Comments about the library construction project should be sent to Derrall Parkin, who is very good about addressing questions and concerns, via e-mail, at dparkin@uh.edu, or voicemail, at (713) 743-9772.

Sarah Ohmer, a columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at dccampus@mail.uh.edu.