Physical Accessibility

to NIU Campus
Resources
Hannah Fisher, Fernando Gonzalez, Natalya Jarvis,
& Mariah Osborne
Overview
 • Mobility issues (esp.
Wheelchair, crutches, low
mobility)
• Focus on access to important
academic services
Focus • Overall purpose: raise
awareness
 • Holmes Student Center
• Belonging, cultural center, student orgs, student
government
• Campus Life Building
• DRC, CSA, Honors, Career Services, DREAM
Action, UG advising
• Swen Parson Hall
• Financial Aid, Bursar
• Founders' Memorial Library
• Writing Center, librarians, academic material

Buildings
Surveyed
History and
Literature
Focus should be on the environment rather
than the student

.
Methods & Limitations
 ADA
Checklist
Goals of
Universal
Design
MCIM
Grading
Rubric
 Parking & Path of Access
Signage
Other types of disabilities (e.g.
vision)
Accessibility inside (elevators,
ramps, etc.)
Only certain buildings
Researcher bias
Limitations
 Findings &
Recommendations
 # of Public
Buildings Overall Score Year Built
Entrances
Findings Campus Life Building 12/12 (100%) 2 1994

Founders Memorial 11/12 (91.7%) 2 1977

Library
• What does this mean?
Holmes Student Center 10/12 (83.3%) 7 1968 (re.
2020)

Swen Parson 6/12 (50%) 9 1952

Trend: Decrease in Increase in Increase in

score entrances age
 Accessible vs. Compliant

Ledge before an otherwise accessible door at Swen

Parson. Non-compliant.

West main of Swen Parson. Middle doors Handles that are difficult to grip on heavy
compliant entrancebut interior stairs doors at HSC. Another set of the same doors
downward directly after doors. just after, with another (currently held open)
just after that.
 Sense of Belonging
HSC signage to address where
wheelchair accessible
entrances are.

Main entrance of HSC is

CLB PHOTO
surrounded by social area.

East and original main entrance of Swen Parson. Not

accessible.

"Ramp" to the accessible main

entrance of CLB is integrated into
footpath.
Recommendations
 • If you want people on your
campus, then people need to be
able to comfortably, safely, and
confidently access campus.

Takeaways • Increased accessibility can

increase inclusion and sense of
belonging amongst students,
faculty, and staff.