When you walk into a building on Campbellsville University’s campus, many people probably don’t think twice about a building not having an elevator. Even when parking on campus many people don’t have to consider how many handicapped parking spaces are available. But Campbellsville University junior Luoyan Maddox, also known as Lilly, must think about that every day. She’s often seen walking around campus with her blue walker.
“I have to park my walker outside of the buildings my classes are in if they don’t have an elevator,” said Maddox. “I wish we had more ramps also.”
Maddox was born with cerebral palsy, which is a condition that people are born with that makes it harder for them to get around. In some cases, people with cerebral palsy are in wheelchairs. According to the Mayo Clinic, cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movements and postures. It’s caused by damage that occurs to the developing brain, most often before birth. Cerebral palsy can make it harder to move around and perform daily activities.
“I used to go to physical therapy all day long as a child and that is the only reason I can walk today,” Maddox said.
She said Campbellsville does help students who can’t get to their classes and need extra help when they are struggling.
“Disability services are very good, and they will help you out when you need it,” she said.
According to Campbellsville Accommodation Coordinator Way, it can be challenging for students when there are buildings that don’t have elevators in them. It can also be challenging for students when there are sidewalks that don’t have ramps.
“Campbellsville does not have enough accessibility for handicapped students and visitors to get around,” said Way.
Due to CU having older buildings, the university doesn’t have enough elevators on campus, which makes it harder for students who are handicapped to be able to access their classrooms. That’s why it’s important to advocate for handicapped students, Way said.
“Campbellsville can always do accommodations with students in need,” she said.
On campus, there are two big buildings – the Administration building and Druin Hall – that hold a lot of classes and they don’t have an elevator.
According to Way, if students can’t use the stairs, then they will have to get their classes changed or attend class through Zoom meetings.
“We make sure to get the professors to change to a one-story building so that students can get to their classrooms,” said Way. “If this is not able, then they can go online, but usually the professors are very accommodating and are happy to switch with another professor.”
However, elevators are not the only problem on campus, according to Way.
“We do not have enough handicap parking around our buildings at all,” she said. “A lot of our handicap parking got changed into one of the president’s guests.”
Maddox is a student on CU’s campus that who must face these challenges every day. But she works hard to be as independent as possible.
“I only use my walker outside of school,” she said. “When I am in class or in a building, I don’t use it.”
