Accessibility Ramps on campus | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University is known for being a highly accessible campus and university has just remodeled several labs and improved workstations.
According to Angela Masten, disability services coordinator, several chemistry labs were remodeled, and ODS was included in the process to provide both accessible workstations and accessible teaching stations.
WSU was named in the top three for physical accessibility, according to College Magazine.
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) provides both academic access and physical access to students.
“We’re providing that equalizing access to content material. We’re always willing to look at what are the needs of the students and how can we best meet the needs of the students,” said Masten.
Making campus available to the 87 percent
Unknown to most people, 87 percent of students registered at ODS have invisible disabilities. Only 13 percent of students registered with the ODS have visible and noticeable disabilities.
WSU includes many different accommodations such as accessible housing in both the dorms and apartments on campus, wheelchair ramps, automatic doors, accessible classrooms and accommodations provided by the ODS, according to Masten.
ODS provides autism spectrum support, career and vocational support, deaf and hard of hearing support, Obi robotic eating assistance, housing accommodations, personal assistance station, and Wingerd service dog park, according to ODS’ webpage.
ODS offers a variety of services
The office also provides readers and writers for students with disabilities to assist them in the classroom. Notetakers are also provided to students who require them. The testing center provides students with a quiet atmosphere and any assistance they require.
“Several years ago, we identified a need for some of our students on the autism spectrum. One of our staff members created a program to coach students with autism,” said Masten. “Now that program has been very successful. We usually have about 25 students paired with one of our usually about 10 or 15 coaches to help our students with autism integrate into the college environment.”
ODS staff and proctoring center is located at 180 University Hall and the technology center is located at 014 Student Union. ODS is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to ODS’ webpage.
