Page 9 - ThePhoenix1992-93

Domino's PizzaRated#1 - Story Pg.4 THE PHOENIX Western Maryland College WMC Faces Problems of Handicapped Access cesstbtnty for the disabled. prompted us to respond to these By KRISTINE HOLLAND S"",Wn',,, WMC formed the Accessibility issues." In the wake of landmark Compliance Conunittee (ACC) In 1988 Phillips was looking laws involving handicapped ac- in 1990 to investigate ways that for a place to swim in tbe area cess, several complaints were the college could meet the ADA during her off hours as teacher filed against the college. In re- codes. From their findings came of literature and storytelling at sponse WMC developed a plan the Campus Accessibility Morgan State. When a friend that has and will make radical Projects Plan which should told her about the public pool transformations in the look and make the campus wheelchair hours at WMC she came to possibly the mindset or rhe col- accessible in most of the build- check the pool out. However, lege. ings by 1995, according to she was unable to use the pool On July 26,1991 tile Ameri- Jenny Mingolelli, vice president because there was no parking cans Disability Act, which was of Administration and Finance. lot entrance or handicapped passed in 1990, went into effect. Henry Reiff, chair of the bathroom facilities. The law requires all businesses committee, says the college Later she found she was unable to make "reasonable accommo- now wants to go beyond me sur- to attend events at both ~dations" for people with dis- face meaning of the law. "We McDaniel Lounge and Alumni ~ abilities as long as it doesn't want to follow the spirit of the Hall because they were inacces- law, not just the letter," he said. sible for wheelchairs. ~=2=~:::;~:;~:¢~:;:~:;::!"i! cause the business "undue bur- and new ;; ideo." Because of the vague walkways are some of the more she tried to inform the admtnis- elevators, to Phillips, Ramps. when According ~ !!!~~~~~;;~~~=~~~;;~~wording, many people thought visible plans Phillips. a disabled tration about these problems goose she If that the act would for the college. have very sent on a "wild was little legal power. Marilynn However the Civil Rights rights activist in Carroll County chase" where her phone cans Act was passed later that year helped jumpstart the college were not returned and she was Renovation of 'The that gave the disabled the op- into action before the passage of given inadequate excuses. "People Reiff told me that the laws ADA. says, think "I portunity to sue for higher puni- concern Book Store' Complete tive damages. businesses and col- Marilynn Phillips' awareness bas of didn't apply to this school. but I she said. knew better," Many our increased leges began evaluating their ac- people with disabilities and has See ADA, Pg. 7 COl. 1 Waller. A meeting with representa- and ROLM Phones Replace C&P Just as a caterpillar blossoms tives from both Barnes into a beautiful butterfly, so bas Noble and WMC is scbeduled the "College Store" metamor- for October to discuss how the By DAVID RAOOSEVICH fewbours. The cost of C&P local pbosed into "Tbe Book Store." transition went. SI