Memorial University has an accessibility problem, say students

As tuition rises and government cuts continue, Memorial University students with disabilities say accessibility is being left out of the equation.

CBC News talked to multiple current and former students who say Newfoundland and Labrador's only university has significant barriers that hinder the learning experiences of students with disabilities.

Those barriers include infrastructure issues like broken elevators and doors that don't open automatically, and broader issues like an overextended disability resource centre and difficulties getting accommodations.

Mandy Penney has been studying at MUN since 2010, and is completing her MBA in social entrepreneurship. Penney, who uses a mobility aid, said she's experienced problems with accessibility at both the St. John's campus and Grenfell campus in Corner Brook.

"I think it made it harder to focus on academics because you were so busy trying to make sure there were no barriers in the way," Penney said. 

Penney said her first encounter with a barrier was on a campus tour before she even started classes at Grenfell. She said the tour guide took the group up some stairs, accidentally leaving her behind. 

The tour organizer later apologized, said Penney.

"That was my first experience with the inaccessibility," she said. 

At least four elevators at the St. John's campus are out of order and have been for weeks, including the only elevators that can reach the fifth floor of the Arts and Administration building and the only elevator in the business administration building. 

In a statement, MUN spokesperson Sandy Woolfrey-Fahey said repairs are in progress on the business building's elevator, and the Arts and Administration building should have another working elevator by the spring. 

Since there are only two elevator companies on the island, she said, repairs can take longer than in other parts of the country.

"Elevator maintenance and repair is a very specialized trade, and there are very few people available to complete the work which does cause delays," said Woolfrey-Fahey. 

Penney said she got stuck in elevators on multiple occasions at both the Grenfell and St. John's campuses, and the Prince Phillip Drive underpass elevator was the most frequent offender. She said she began going to class extra early in case she got stuck.

"I didn't have much energy to spend on my papers and assignments because I'm so exhausted from trying to get around campus every day," she said.