student’s wheelchair stolen then returned
Published: February 3, 2005
A wheelchair was stolen outside a University of South Carolina dorm this week, but was it a despicable crime or a student prank?
Michael Buzzard can only walk short distances due to his back condition. His chair is his life-line for longer trips.
Michael left it outside of Woodrow on campus, because he says the building isn’t handicap accessible, “I think somebody who had a wild hair that they were going to take a wheelchair and it would be hilarious.”
Days after, he filed a police report that his chair was returned. The question still remains: why wasn’t Michael able to get inside the dorm in the first place?
Gene Luna is director of Student Development, “Part of Woodrow is accessible by wheelchair. The part where his friend was living where he wanted to visit wasn’t accessible. The investment it would take by state to quickly bring 100% accessibility on all floors is really probably not manageable given the funds it would take.”
The University is constantly building and renovating and, for the most part, the new buildings are very accessible. Luna says it’s the older historic buildings that represent the biggest challenge, “It’s just not with in the realms of reasonable accommodations to go in these buildings and everywhere there is a stairwell and put in an elevator. It’s beyond code requirements.”
Buzzard understands the money may not be there, “Money has to be split so many ways. Only so much of it can be spent on this cause if you will.”
He says for the most part, he’s happy with accessibility on campus. He does have one request. If you see a wheelchair outside with no one in it, “Don’t take it. That would be great. Sometimes you need it to get around. You don’t just bring wheelchairs and put them near buildings, people use them.”
The investigation is ongoing and student disciplinary action or even criminal charges could result.
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