The Importance of Universal Design on College Campuses.

Abstract

“Go Hokies!” “This is Home,” I exclaimed at the top of my lungs to the Virginia Tech Class of 2021. During the summer of 2018, wearing a maroon and orange polo and proudly representing the university during freshman orientation, I led groups of freshmen around campus and sought to teach them how to live life as Hokies. The Hokie Nation runs deep and it was an honor to help students transition into it. I truly believe that all eager students interested and committed to joining the Hokie community should be able to call Blacksburg home. Even as a former orientation leader, I realize that that is not always the reality due to the severe lack of universal design and accessibility on college campuses across the nation, including our beloved Virginia Tech. Everyone’s experience at Virginia Tech might not be like it is initially portrayed. My knowledge as student with a Disability Studies minor has led me to identify a flaw in the design of college campuses across our nation. Students are hindered from joining spirited collegiate communities before they even step foot on campus due to the lack of universally designed features and amenities. Someone’s identity as a Hokie does not mean they are not going to experience barriers. I wonder the types of students I could have met in my orientation groups if Virginia Tech’s acceptance and accessibility standards were fully inclusive of all people, even those with disabilities. In order to attract people with disabilities to join the Hokie Nation, thus making our community more diverse, I call on the Virginia Tech administration and other collegiate administrations to take action in creating communities that are universally designed.