The Bathroom Beat: WWU's ENVS Bathrooms

A bathroom: a place that can bring me excitement -- like that of a four year old on Christmas morning -- or disappointment -- like that of the same four year old when they find their stocking stuffed full of socks. Bathrooms are not always accessible, making it either extremely difficult or impossible for me to use. This leaves me in pursuit of having to venture on to find an accessible bathroom, or just plan my day around having to return home to use my own bathroom. When I find an accessible bathroom that is truly wheelchair friendly, I am filled with excitement; I am not kidding, I love it when bathrooms are accessible! I also will plan my route in accordance with any accessible bathroom. The accessible bathroom on the ground floor of the Environmental Studies (ENVS) building on Western Washington University's campus is one of these bathrooms.

In ENVS, this one accessible stall is the only accessible stall for all six floors; even though there are bathrooms provided to the public on each floor in ENVS, there is not one accessible stall on each floor, but just one on the ground floor. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) only requires one -- not one per bathroom, but just one per building -- so why provide more (even if that requires those who need an accessible stall to travel six stories in order to use the bathroom)?

This one bathroom stall is one of my favorites on Western's campus. It is rarely used, one of the largest ones (101.5"x74"), the stall door swings in (which makes it easier for people in wheelchairs to close), the lock does not require twisting or pinching, and the bathroom door has an access button; however, even this amazing bathroom stall is in violation of a handful of standards set by the ADA (i.e. there is not a pull handle on either side of the stall door, the sink drain pipes are not covered, the handle on the paper towel dispenser is too high, the coat hook is also too high, and there is a heater vent -- an obstructive object --  that is in between the toilet and the wall). Even though this bathroom stall is the only accessible stall in ENVS, it is not the only ENVS bathroom that is in violation of the ADA.

In ENVS, there are whole and half floors. The half floors are located on the west end of the building and can be accessed from the whole floors by half flights of stairs or via the west elevator. The whole floors are indicated by a whole number, while the half floors are indicated with a decimal (i.e. 0.3). The whole floors include the Ground floor (G), the first floor (1), the second floor (2), the third floor (3), the fourth floor (4), and the fifth floor (5). The half floors start with 0.3, and continue up to include floors 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6. Each of the whole and half floors (except 0.6) provide a bathroom to the public; all the bathrooms above G are not accessible; however, half of them are more than just unaccessible, they do not indicate the location of the nearest accessible bathroom; some are also lacking contrasted characters and Braille, which is a violation of the ADA.

The ADA requires a sign -- which should hang on the wall to the latch side of the door -- that indicates the sex of the bathroom in contrasted and raised characters as well as in Braille. The ADA also requires that if the bathroom is not accessible that the sign indicates where the nearest accessible bathroom is located. On 0.3, there is not a sign at all; this means it is in violation of the ADA.

On 0.4, there is a men's bathroom; there is also a men's bathroom on 4 (unlike the other floors where the half floor has a bathroom for one sex and on the whole floor one is provided for the other). So, there is a paper sign indicating where the nearest woman's bathroom is located (one floor up or one floor down); however, this paper sign does not have raised characters, information written in Braille, nor does it indicate where the nearest accessible women's bathroom is located. There is a men's sign, that does follow the ADA standards, but it is only pertinent for men who need to use the bathroom. It is possible that a woman in need of an accessible bathroom travels to the bathroom located on 0.4, sees that the nearest women's bathroom is one floor down, travels there just to find that the bathroom is not accessible and on top of that does not have a sign to indicate the location of an accessible bathroom; therefore, this woman has yet to relieve herself, and has spent time unsuccessfully searching for a bathroom.

A close-up of both the Men's and Women's bathroom signs on floor 0.4 of the Environmental Studies building. Both signs are to the right of the door. The Men's sign is dark blue, with a white symbol of a male is located in the top middle of the sign. Right underneath the symbol of the male, the word "MEN" is printed in white, capital letters. Below the word "MEN", the sentence of, "Accessible restrooms on ground floor", is written out in white lettering. Under this sign, a 8.5"x11", white, paper sign hangs. At the top of this sign it reads, "Where?", in black lettering. Under the "Where", there is a black rectangle centered in the middle of the white paper. In the top, middle of the black rectangle there is a white symbol of a female. Right underneath the symbol of the female, the word "WOMEN" is printed in white, capital letters. Below the word "WOMEN", the sentence of, "One floor up or down", is written out in black lettering. 

On 0.5, the sign is hung on the door, not on the wall. This is a violation of the ADA, and is a simple standard that WWU cannot even follow. It is important that the signs are in similar places so they are quick and easy to find; it is also important for the sign to be on the wall -- rather than the door -- in case the door is open. If the sign is not in the expected place, it may be difficult for a person who is legally blind or blind to find the bathroom in time.

The bathrooms on floors 1 through 5 all have signs that fulfill the set standards of the ADA. However, floors 1 and 5 have unisex bathrooms, unisex bathrooms that are large enough to be equipped with the necessary standards to meet the requirements of the ADA and become accessible. The ADA does not say that buildings cannot have more than one accessible bathroom or stall, but just indicates that as the minimum.

I am thankful that Western has provided an accessible stall in ENVS that both my PCA and I can easily fit in; however, getting to that bathroom can be an adventure. When having a class on the fourth floor,  I had to take the elevator down five stories to get to the bathroom; the west elevator can take up to five minutes to arrive at any given floor. When needing to use the bathroom, no one wants to travel five or six floors to use the bathroom, nor does anyone desire to wait for an elevator for five minutes before traveling those five or six floors. One day, I waited for the elevator in ENVS for a couple minutes before someone walked by and informed me that the elevator was broken. I then had to travel across the building to the east elevator and wait for it to arrive, ride down the five floors just to have to travel back to the west side of the building in order to use the bathroom. Why was there not a sign indicating that the elevator was broken and to instead use the east elevator; is it too much to ask for people to be courteous enough to value others' time?

Having to use the bathroom is something that is apart of daily life; most people do not think about this daily activity and take it for granted. Many people with disabilities plan their day around the bathroom; knowing if and where there is an accessible bathroom can be crucial information. The accessibility of a bathroom can be a factor in whether or not a person feels welcome; having an accessible bathroom can say a lot to a person with a disability. Having a public bathroom without having an accessible bathroom is not legal, and having a bathroom with the international access symbol that is actually not accessible is misleading and not acceptable. Please remember that people with disabilities are people; people need to use the bathroom, therefore people with disabilities need to use the bathroom too.

It's All About that Label: How the Term Compliant Does Not Always Mean Equal

My family was recently in the market for a new range. Rather than purchasing a typical range, my parents decided to purchase one that is ADA compliant. This means all the buttons and knobs are on the front of the range, right above the oven door. Even though the ADA range would still not allow me to cook most things -- due to lack of strength -- we decided that it would still be a suitable choice. If needed, I would now be able to turn the oven on or off; if someone was on the way, I could preheat the oven, and if someone left while something was cooking, I could turn the oven off. The knobs on the front would also allow me to have access to the stove top. I can cook a few simple things -- like an egg; it takes me a while, but I can do it (however, the pan needs to be out, the egg needs to be in reach, and I need a table knife and a dish as well)!

This all sounds nice, but there is a catch! The ADA compliant range that my parents purchased cost almost $400.00 more than the typical version of the SAME range. Just because an appliance is ADA compliant does not mean it should cost more; accommodations that are supposed to make things equal should not in turn put an extra hardship on the person it is supposed to be for. It does not matter if the ADA compliant range has a lower demand than the typical one; all people should have access to an equal opportunity to buy the same range -- cost included. A range should not be bumped out of someone's price range because it is ADA compliant; it is not fancier or more high tech, it is just accessible. In fact, the ADA compliant range that my parents purchased is LESS fancy and LESS high tech than the same typical range. The ADA compliant range is lacking the clock and the timer that comes on that typical range. And, the manual that we received is not for the ADA compliant range, but for the typical one; the diagrams for the buttons and knobs do not match up at all. Good thing we have operated a range before!

Another ironic thing about this ADA compliant range is that the diagrams next to the knobs are not raised and Braille is not present next to the words to provide accessibility to people who are blind or visually impaired and read Braille. So, would the stove my parents purchased be considered ADA compliant for just people who use wheelchairs? And, is there a separate range that is ADA compliant just for people who are blind? And, how much would that range cost? Why can't all ovens just be created to accommodate all people for the same price? 

I am blessed to have parents that have the ability to afford a range that is $400.00 more than the typical version. But, if I was purchasing this range on my own, there is no way -- at this point in my life -- that I could have afforded the luxury of having an accessible range. This also goes for many other people with disabilities. 

Extra costs do not stop at ranges, but extend to so many other things that many people use on a daily basis; the extra cost for accessible ranges is just a scratch on the surface of what people who use wheelchairs typically face. However, they are not the same for all people with disabilities, but no extra costs for the SAME things should exist for any of us. Accessibility should not be a luxury, it should instead make things equal. 

Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2016 Platform: Equal Opportunity

Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to participate in Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2016. As part of the competition, we were required to give a two minute speech about our platform. The platform that I ran on was "Equal Opportunity". Here is my speech that I gave:

"Over the years, I have observed that people with disabilities do not always have access to an equal opportunity. Whether this is due to ignorance or deliberate behavior, it needs to be changed.

Equal opportunity includes having equal access to transportation and housing as well as equal access to education and jobs. However, change takes time and the most important change has to do with people's mind sets.

I have heard three common beliefs: 'Disabled people get enough. Why should disabled people get special treatment. The lives of people with disabilities has dramatically improved over the past fifty years, so why are you complaining now?'

As Ms. Wheelchair, I will teach that accomplishments are not extra but equal and I will advocate for change in order to achieve an equal opportunity for all.

Having a disability is a part of who I am; however not having access to an equal opportunity is what truly makes me disabled.

As I close, I leave you with a poem I have written that reflects this thought.

I may have a disability, 

but I am only disabled when people look past my abilities.

I may not be able to walk, 

but I am only disabled when I am without my wheels.

I may not be able to climb a flight of stairs, 

but I am only disabled when there is not an equivalent elevator. 

I may not be able to step down when the sidewalk ends, 

but I am only disabled when there is not curb cut out.

I may have a disability, 

but I am only disabled when people look past my abilities."

More Than Just a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow: Chasing the Dream of Becoming an Advocate

Recently, I came to the recollection that my dream of becoming a disability advocate (other than as a hobby), may not actually be a realistic profession. I realized that it had almost been a year since I had graduated from college, and that a piece of me would really like an income, and some financial independance. I began looking for other jobs, pursuing a totally different route. I had always been looking for any job that I was qualified for, but looked at it as an avenue to building the resources that were needed for becoming a disability advocate. However, when I became discouraged, I began looking into jobs -- like selling insurance -- that could become a life long career. This was until a couple weeks ago.

All of a sudden, opportunities began to open up. In the past couple of weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak on two different college campuses, one at Western Washington University (WWU), and one at Eastern Washington University (EWU). At WWU, I spoke to a class learning about accommodations and barriers; I answered questions, and then I took them on a tour of campus showing them accommodations and barriers! At EWU, I spoke to a class of potential teachers; I talked about my journey through the public school system, the accommodations I received, the barriers I faced, and recommendations I had for them. I have also been invited back by both of the professors to speak in future classes. I have also been asked by another professor -- who teaches at WWU -- to speak to her class next quarter as well!

A couple Friday's ago, I also had the chance to talk with a person who has been greatly involved with the organization, People First. He has been to Olympia many times and lobbied for people with disabilities. I also talked with another person who has been greatly involved in both the organizations Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) and the Center for Independence. Both of these people, as well as these three organizations strive to better the lives of people with disabilities through advocating for an equal opportunity and to be treated as people. 

I have also been blessed with the opportunity to volunteer in a Special Education classroom at Bellingham High School! On the first day, I told them a little about myself, and my experience as a student with a disability. We talked about the importance of self advocacy and knowing what accommodations one needs in order to have an equal opportunity. So far, volunteering in this class has been a challenging but amazing experience, and I look forward to many more days of working with the fabulous teacher (who gave me this opportunity), and her students!

This past Sunday, I  was blessed with the opportunity to run for Ms. Wheelchair 2016; it was one of the best experiences of my life, and I am so thankful that one of my amazing friends encouraged me to run! Though I finished as first-runner-up, I had an amazing time, learned so much, and made so many connections! Thank you to everyone who has made Ms. Wheelchair possible, and to everyone who came out and supported us! I looked forward to competing for the title next year!

When I participated in Ms. Wheelchair Washington, I met so many amazing people! Ms. Wheelchair America was there; she is fabulous, and shared so much of her knowledge with us. She taught us that Twitter is a great tool for advocating, as well as introduced us to an app called Camcard which scans business card information right into your contacts via a photo! It is a timesaver and is especially amazing for someone who has difficulty adding contacts or reading the small print on business cards. I am also looking forward to meeting up with Ms. Wheelchair America 2016, when she returns to Washington for a conference in June! Thank you Ms. Wheelchair America for encouraging me, and thank you for spreading your knowledge while advocating for people with disabilities! I am so honored and grateful to have met you!

Another person that I met is the President of Talk and Roll. He speaks and conducts himself with composure and confidence, and has an incredible story to share. Thank you for encouraging me as well, and thank you so much for MCing for Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2016! I am so glad to have met you as well!

In the past couple of weeks, I have learned so much, grown as an advocate, and I am now beginning to dream again about being a life long disability advocate.

Finally Treated as a Person, Not a Burden: A New Educational Experience

Today, I had a positive experience, one in which showed me that employees at a higher education facility really can care about their students. This experience made me contemplate why I went straight to a four year university; this is not because I was not academically ready, but because I probably would have enjoyed myself more while furthering my education.

In the past, I have had numerous experiences that have left me with a sour perspective on higher education, but today when I attended Whatcom Community College, my perspective began to change. During the process of signing up for an accounting class, I had encounters with numerous employees who all portrayed that they each cared for me and treated me as a person.

The first person that I talked to was a man at the information station. At first, I was not impressed as the window was above my head, however, my mind was quickly changed. When I spoke to the man in the window, he was quite kind and informative. He exited his office to hand me an admissions form; he also took the initiative to find me a clipboard to fill out my form (as I could not reach the window ledge); I was so impressed that I did not have to ask!

My second encounter was with a student worker at the admissions office; he was kind and helped me accomplish what I needed to do, and then I went on my way. My third encounter was just as short, but the lady who helped me sign-up for a drop-in appointment with an advisor was also kind to me. Even though I had already felt welcomed by the staff I had already encountered, it was the advising counselor who I was most impressed with. She introduced herself and instantly started talking to me like I was any other potential student. She listened to me, made eye contact, and helped me not just find and sign up for classes, but also by reading and filling out paperwork. When she started pointing at and reading a paper that was sitting her on the desk (the paper positioned so we both could read it), I informed her that I was legally blind and could not read the information -- so she offered to read it more thoroughly to me. When it came time to fill out some paper work, she offered to fill it out. This is so uncommon for me, but seemed so natural to her; this was a small, kind gesture, but it made me feel welcome, and not as a burden.

After I finished my meeting with the advisor, I returned to the registrar's office to deliver the paper work that the advisor filled out. This brings me to my fifth and final encounter. This time I talked to a lady, rather than the student; she was kind and informative as well. However, when I dropped my ID number, she exited her office to pick it up for me. She also brought me my schedule as I could not reach it from behind the window; I did not have to ask.

I am amazed with my first impression of Whatcom Community College; I felt welcome, I felt like I belonged. For the first time in a long time, college seems like an enjoyable place. I look forward to furthering my education in a place that treats me like a person.  

More Than Just a Prop: The Controversy Behind the Symbolism of the Wheelchair

When Kylie Jenner posed in a wheelchair for the cover of Interview Magazine, she granted the world permission to interpret the symbolic meaning of a wheelchair. Jenner used a wheelchair as a prop in order to send a message, a message that expressed how she feels limited by her fame and profession. However, in order for Jenner's point of using a wheelchair to symbolize her limitations to be clear to viewers, the stereotypical belief has to already be engrained in the minds of society; in this case, a wheelchair is limiting and therefore, the person who uses the wheelchair is limited. Never the less, the reality is quite the contrary.

One person's perception of limitation is another person's reality of freedom. A wheelchair is a mobility device; it assists people to get from point A to point B that otherwise would not be able to do so. When I received my first wheelchair as a child, it opened up a world of possibilities. I could now freely explore my neighborhood for the first time like the other children on my block. I no longer became exhausted when going to the grocery store or walking through the halls at my elementary school. My wheelchair has since given me the ability to graduate from high school, earn a four year university degree, and travel out side of Washington state to twenty-three states, as well as travel outside the United States to seven countries. Today, my wheelchair grants me the freedom of leaving my house and going throughout my daily routine; without my wheelchair, I would be stuck in bed. The limitations that people who use wheelchairs face each day range from person to person, just like how people who do not use wheelchairs face a plethora of limitations. However, there are two limitations that people in wheelchairs share.. 

The lack of accessibility as well as people's ignorant perception about disability are the two limitations that are apart of the lives of people who use wheelchairs; it is not the wheelchair that is limiting -- it grants freedom -- it is the treatment of people that tags along side the use of the wheelchair that limits the person.

The irony of Jenner posing in a wheelchair to represent her limitation, is that ignorance -- like her's -- is what actually limits people in wheelchairs. Stereotyping a wheelchair as limiting, and therefore a person who uses a wheelchair as limited, spreads the perception that being in a wheelchair is a tragedy and therefore deserves being pitied. 

Believing a person is limited and pitying them does not allow a person to be looked at as whole, and not be pushed to their full potential. People in wheelchairs are people and their lives should not be stereotyped just because they have common wheels. Being in a wheelchair is a characteristic, but it should not be considered anymore of a defining factor than height, weight, and color of hair or eyes. Just like short people face similar limitations and tall people face similar limitations, people in wheelchairs face common limitations as well. And, being in a wheelchair is not one of those limitations. 

When Kylie Jenner posed in a wheelchair for the cover of Interview Magazine, she granted the world permission to interpret the symbolic meaning of a wheelchair. In doing so, a spark ignited a discussion about the perception of wheelchairs and the people who use them for mobility. Education is the key to eliminating ignorance; in talking about the symbolic interpretation of a wheelchair, one may be enlightened and draw the conclusion that a wheelchair is not limiting, but freeing. 

The world needs to understand that the wheelchair is only stereotyped as a symbol of limitation because the world was not built for the wheelchair. If accessibility and the mindset about the wheelchair changed, then people who use wheelchairs will no longer be viewed as limited. 

Hypocrisy at its Finest: Taking Safety on Campus Seriously

The fourth of December will mark one year from the day my friend and I were trapped on the sixth floor of Wilson Library at Western Washington University during a fire that broke out on the second floor. Fortunately, it was small, but the safety of both my friend and I was put in jeopardy. The building that we were in was, and still is, not up to code. The floor warden was uninformed about what to do with two people, who could not flee the building, during the fire, and to my knowledge, there is still yet to be a written and distributed plan (I was told that I would receive the plan by the first of March -- over eight months ago -- but I never did). I addressed the potential tragedy that a fire, and lack of prevention could cause, with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) a year prior to this incident, and then e-mailed OCR within a couple hours after the fire. Even though the OCR seemed to care about the safety of students with disabilities, I do not feel as if WWU took our safety seriously. 

So, last Tuesday, when President Shepard addressed the community about the safety of students of color on campus and canceled classes, I felt compelled to address the population of Facebook with the hypocrisy that I have experienced first hand when it comes to WWU's and President Shepard''s beliefs and actions. Here is the post that I shared that day. 

"Today, President Shepard suspended classes at WWU due to hate speech directed towards students of color; he is concerned with the safety of students on campus, and wants people to pause in order to take the time and unite. This is quite noble of him to take a stand for his students of color, and express the concern for their safety, but when it comes to the safety of disabled students, President Shepard's stance does not even come close to reflecting the same compassion. Every day that I attended classes or an event on WWU's campus that involved me using an elevator, I always had a concern for my safety. I have a concern for the safety of all students with disabilities who attend WWU as well. This is due to the fact that not all of WWU's buildings are up to code nor do they have a fire safety plan implemented in order to keep students with disabilities as safe as possible if there happens to be an emergency (such as a fire or an earthquake). Three years ago, when I had a class on the fifth floor of Old Main, I addressed this issue with the DisAbility Resources for Students. Since there was not an accessible safety zone, I did not feel safe in the classroom that my history class had been assigned, so I requested that my class be moved. Nothing happened. Two years ago, I took this concern -- along with others -- to the Office of Civil Rights on campus. I had the opportunity to meet with one of WWU's six Vice Presidents and express my concerns to her as well. The DRS began doing everything I asked, but for all other physically disabled students, nothing happened.

Then, last December, a friend and I attended a book fair on the sixth floor of Wilson Library. Long story short, we were both trapped there for ten minutes with the belief that the building could be burning down; we were stuck in a smoky building, that is not up to code and staffed with an uninformed and panicked floor warden that had no idea what the protocol was when it came to disabled students who could not flee the building during a fire. Fortunately, the fire was small, and was put out quickly; however, the fire department was called off due to the fire being small, but my friend and I were not informed of this nor was the fire department told that there were people trapped in the building. For those ten minutes, I felt extremely unsafe! I contacted the OCR and the Vice President, they did not contact me; I had to reach out to them, they did not reach out to me. When I expressed my concerns about the safety of all students on WWU's campus, the VP reassured me that the safety of all their students was their number one priority.

Today, WWU's concern for the safety of their students has been expressed for persons of color, but a resolution has still yet to come to fruition when it comes to persons with disabilities. I never received a statement from President Shepard stating that the safety of students with disabilities on campus matter; he never said he personally would make sure that all the buildings would be brought up to code, and that a plan
would be made in case of an emergency. If WWU is concerned about the safety of all their students, then this should include the safety for their disabled students as well. So, Western Washington University, please do not forget about your physically disabled students who cannot flee a building during an emergency; even though there may just be eight or nine of us, our safety and lives matter too!"

Since this post on Facebook, the student responsible for the hate speech has been arrested. However, it has been a year since I have dealt with feeling unsafe on campus, and nothing has been accomplished. Yesterday, I was on campus visiting a friend. I just so happened to pass the Communications building as the fire alarm began to sound. I had the opportunity to speak to the person in charge of coordinating fire drills and other safety evacuation plans. This lady never sat in on the Fire Safety Committee that I was apart of, nor seems to care about the safety of disabled students. To every single question I asked her, she responded with an excuse. I asked her if there really was a plan the day that I was stuck in the library, she said yes. So, I asked her why the floor warden told us she did not know what to do. Her answer was that the floor warden did what she was supposed to do (really?! Not knowing what to do, was what she was supposed to do?). I asked her why the fire department was called off, but we were not told that we were not really in danger. I also said that even if the fire is taken care of, the fire department is still supposed to check on anyone who is trapped in the building. She said that the people sweeping the building did not know we where there. How did they not know we were there?  I asked how then could they call off the fire department if they had not swept the entire building. We were in the fire safety zone WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE. So, why did they not know we were there? I told her that I was most disappointed with the lack of communication. She said at least five times that they were trying. 

TRYING? Would this have been an acceptable response to the girl who felt threatened by hate speech posted on social media? She claimed that WWU and the police were not doing enough; President Shepard canceled classes, an investigation was going on, and right after she said this, the guy responsible was arrested. Is a potential threat floating around in cyber space really more dangerous than an actual threat of being caught in a burning building?

If you would like more information about the incident that occurred last December, please check out my blog post from December 14, 2014, "In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Lion: Final Fall Quarter Review".