Construction is a delay for some at Georgia State University, but not everyone. Karell Russell, a student with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, paves a way for herself despite the minimal accommodations she says are available.
“I know a lot of people who wanted to go to Georgia State and they’re like, ‘well they’re not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible all the way’ or ‘they don’t keep up with code so I can’t go there.’ But if this is school you want to go to be able to come, regardless of the type of school it is,” said Russell.
PRN has reached out to Georgia State’s Access & Accommodations Center for a sit-down interview, but was unable to schedule one after attempts.
“Due to the unique size and sprawling location of Georgia State University, we may not always realize there is a barrier until someone brings it to our attention. Then, we begin planning for mitigation of that barrier,” said Tina E. Vires, director of the Access & Accommodations Center, in an emailed statement. “To date we have successfully provided accommodations and removed barriers (or provided reasonable alternatives) for students with sundry diagnoses, ranging from blindness to deafness, mobility impairments to ADHD, chronic medical conditions to psychological disorders (including Bipolar, Anxiety, Depression, etc.), learning disabilities to autism spectrum disorders, etc.”