The structural design of GSU dormitory buildings make it hard for the physically disabled students and, or staff who live on campus. The minomalized spaces and entreways makes it hard for residents with these abalities to manuver around.

Every one of the Georgia State dormitories do not accommodate handicap residents fully from what I have observed.  I have personally seen students and professional staff members struggle in the University Lofts to get in and out of the building if they are in a wheelchair or are temporally disabled with crutches because of the width of the ramp and the doors not automatically opening. (Insert photo of Lofts front entrance).

Four out of the seven Georgia State dormitories  do not have automatic doors at the front entrance of their building. This includes Patton Hall, University Lofts, Piedmont Central, and Piedmont North A. The University Commons has an autmatic gate for handicap outside the building when you first enter through the turnstiles; however, the actual entace into the dorm building doors does not open automatically.

According to the 2010 Americans with Disablities Act, the standards for accessible design  state that “each facility or part of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a public entity shall be designed and constructed in such manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.” All of Georgia State’s current dormitories had to follow this Act, since the contruction of each dormitory was built after January 26, 1992. However, this Act always for Georgia State to not be liable if every part Georgia State dormitories isn’t accessible to disabled students.

Listed off on Georgia State University’s webpage for people with disabilites are forms that are for disables student who have special needs; however, this mostly acounts for students with just learning disabilites. These documents speak on autism, brain damage, attention deficit-hyperativity disorder (ADHD), and many other disabilities. Only one form focuses on mobility imparments.

Georgia State infrastructure should provide more space for handicap students, professional staff, and all people who reside or enter Georgia States’ dormitories. People who enter these buildings are at a great disadvantage in maneuvering around and do not receive the full campus experience.

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