ETSU campus construction hinders parking for students with disabilities
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Construction at East Tennessee State University has made it more difficult for those with disabilities to find parking spots.
Last summer, ETSU began construction on Phase II of its University Commons project.
The work is taking place in front of several dorms and near academic buildings in the middle of campus. Due to the size of the construction and its location, students who use handicap parking spots are struggling to find spots close to their destinations.
“With this recent issue it has taken out parking in front of all these dorms and in front of the classrooms here,” said Hannah Smith, a graduate student.
Smith’s classes mainly take place in Lamb Hall and Hutchinson Hall, which are adjacent to the construction. Because of this, she finds herself unable to park close to her classes.
“Usually I have to park quite a ways away now because of the construction here and all the spots are taken out,” Smith said.
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Smith has been involved with Campus Disability Services throughout her time at ETSU and said she’s not the only one experiencing parking difficulties.
“I actually mentor a caseload of undergrad students who have disabilities,” Smith said. “And several of them use the handicapped parking as well. And it’s been a longstanding issue for a long time that I’ve heard people talk about within the community of people who are differently abled here at ETSU, and through my faculty and supervisors at Disability Services as well.”
Officials with ETSU told News Channel 11 that they are aware of the issue and have started taking steps to combat it, including introducing a disability courtesy shuttle to transport students.
Smith said that while this is a step in the right direction, she hopes to see more awareness of this issue.
“It is currently SGA election season and several people are running,” Smith said. “So I would really enjoy seeing some kind of candidacy policy, something that maybe they’re planning to address in the future regarding this issue because I think it is a big issue on campus and it may not be very well known because there is a small population of differently abled individuals on campus.”
Despite parking issues, Smith hopes this won’t dissuade future students from considering the school.
“I’ve been here for six years and have been provided with countless leadership opportunities for growth and success and really have been celebrated despite my differences,” Smith said. “So I definitely think that this is a very small issue in retrospect to sway people away from coming to campus. But it definitely something that needs to be addressed.”
ETSU officials also told News Channel 11 that while the construction might temporarily affect parking on campus, they remain committed to meeting ADA standards and making sure there is parking for individuals with disabilities.
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