Disabled parking far, far away

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09/21/04

Driving all around campus looking for a parking spot at Seton Hill University might seem frustrating, but it may be even more frustrating when there are six spots in Lot D reserved for handicapped.
To get from Lot D to any building on campus, a person would have to either walk up a huge hill, or walk across Lot B and then work their way up many steps.
A disabled person would not be able to get up the hill or steps, especially if they’re in a wheelchair (well, unless they have extreme Superman strength). Handicapped spots, even at the expense of commuter parking, should be in Lot A; that would make the most sense.
“I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t know how they got it approved,” said Rose Marotta, senior.
The shuttle is not handicap equipped, which means it is not wheelchair accessible. If a person in a wheelchair wanted to reach the administration building and had to park in Lot D, they may never make it to their destination.
The spots are only taking up space in Lot D; they are not beneficial to a disabled person at all.
“I think it is kind of unfair. It’s too far away from the campus,” said Matt Nelson, freshman.
“I just want to know who came up with the brilliant idea to put handicapped parking in D Lot when they have to travel such great distances. It defeats the purpose,” said Kelly Smogor, senior.
Because all the questions and comments of why there is handicapped parking in Lot D seems to be popular around campus, an answer has been provided by Mike Dell, the chief of campus police.
“The reason it’s down there is because code requires so many handicapped spots per number of spaces... Eventually they will be moved on the upper part of the campus in a more logical spot,” said Dell.
However, having handicapped parking in Lot D was not really an idea at all, it was required by law. Dell does not know how long they have to be there before they can move them, but they have to remain there for now.
The spaces may be inappropriately placed for now, but take comfort in the possibility that in the long run they will be moved to a more sensible location.