This blog will foster discussion of the inaccessibility of some dormitory’s and buildings involved in everyday student life at Montclair State University. These points will hopefully encourage further conversation of making sure ALL of the campus is accessible for ALL students.

As promised by Montclair State University, they are committed “to providing or arranging reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary services for faculty, staff, students, and guests with disabilities in employment, courses, programs, services, facilities, and activities.”

Then how are some buildings not up to date according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990? The answer is frequently how some of the building were built before the Act was published. However, Bohn Hall and Stone have both been recently renovated and renewed but have not made it any easier for disabled students to access these buildings.

Regardless of whether students are simply not placed these buildings to dorm during the year, what if their friends live in these buildings and they would like to visit?

Bohn Hall (Dormitory) 6th Floor / Elevator Access

Bohn Hall’s 6th Floor is completely inaccessible for wheelchair users. The picture to the right shows the lobby (right side of image) and the staircase leading to the 6th floor. That staircase is the only way of getting to this floor, as well as only a staircase if someone was coming from a floor above. 

This would also mean no safe route for a person who

uses a wheelchair in a fire or emergency since one can not use the elevators and the floor is only accessible by stairs. 

Bohn Hall elevators are frequently out of service and are out of service for a long duration of time before fixed. Sometimes, both elevators are shut down. This means there would be no access to ANY floors of Bohn Hall for wheelchairs. 

No Elevators in Stone Hall (Dormitory)

This means there is no access for wheelchair users in this buildings other than the front desk. The first floor is also up a flight of stairs. 

Allison Van Etten, a student who is blind at Montclair State University, expresses her frustrations with inadequate accommodations in buildings. She states, “I usually make a point of exploring areas and buildings on campus before classes start so I have an idea of what the layout is and, maybe, find my classrooms so I don’t get lost, or worse, be late for class”. However, what if the buildings are those she does not have classes in during the year, like dormitory buildings?

Bohn Hall Community Director’s Office Spaces

The Assistant Community Director’s office in Bohn Hall is located on the main floor. However, the space of entrance leading to the door is not enough room for a wheelchair. This cuts off communication and access to resident life and support from this office. 

Office of Residence Life and Bohn Classrooms (Pictured at the beginning of post)

Bohn Hall houses both classroom frequently used for General Education classes and the Office of Residence Life. This entrance is only accessible by the two flights of stairs pictured (the red doors on the left side being the entrance to Res Life). 

Upon asking employees of Bohn Hall, this level is accessible by the elevator but only through many rooms and directions can one get there. Also, the elevators are only allowed to be used by Residents since it is inside the building and can go to dorm floors. 

Back Entrance of Blanton Hall 

The backside entrance of Blanton Hall, a resident building but also houses food options such as Dunkin Donuts, Chili’s and Which Wich, is completely inaccessible from this sideof the building. Also, this means the over hang and weather security the building offers two steps up is not accessible for disabled students during rain or snow. 

Allison van Etten also comments on the difficulties of dealing with snow on campus. She comments on snow, “I love you, but you’re always covering my landmarks and its really annoying”. This difficulty can be seen with Blanton Hall’s back entrance because of the way it is built. If a student, like Allison, uses physical landmarks to get around, then an entrance being accessed by stairs can be dangerous if someone’s sense of location is thrown off by the snow. None the less, the coverage from snow is taken away from a student if they can not tell where they are in retrospect to Blanton Hall’s stairs.

All in all, Montclair State University does do its best of accommodating all students. However, not having a 100% accessible campus sends a negative message to students with disabilities that these issues are not important. In addition to, that these students are overlooked in details that matter within the buildings.