The Student Accommodation Services Center, previously located in Room C219 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, has recently moved to a more remote location, the basement of the Main Building. Being a student who requires accommodations for all of my classes, I stop by the center often. But when I heard about where the center was moving, I was quite
surprised.I don’t know who chose to put the center in the basement of the Main Building or why they decided to put it there, but it seems like they’ve cast it off into obscurity, making it harder for students to access the resources they need.

Since the opening of the new center, I have stopped by there a few times and have noticed a few things. What first struck me when I walked into the center was how dim the lighting was. Being a visually-impaired student, I have a hard time seeing when there isn’t enough light, and this is no different than any other situation I’ve been in.

I’ve also noticed a huge difference in the amount of available space. While Room C219 was somewhat cramped, Room M66 offers a more open feeling, but with some disadvantages. For me, being in a big space with a small amount of vision means I don’t always see everything that’s there. For example, when I first walk into the center, I notice a bank of three computers.

What I don’t see is that there is another larger bank of computers off to the right that’s hidden behind a couple of cubicles. I also didn’t see where the testing cubicles were until someone pointed them out to me.

They, too, were tucked away in a corner, and I don’t think even a regular-sighted person would have been able to find them without asking.

I’ve also had some issues with the furniture placement. On more than one occasion I have walked into the center and have walked right into a chair or desk. I think it is safe to say that this has not only happened to me, but to other blind and visually-impaired students who frequent the center.

One of my main concerns about the center is safety. Picture this: You’re in a wheelchair and you’re down at the center doing homework. Suddenly, the fire alarm goes off. What do you do? Take the elevator, and there’s a 99% chance you’ll be stuck in there for at least five minutes until the building is evacuated and people are allowed to go back in.

Your only other option would be to climb up the stairs to the first floor and exit there. The only problem with that is you aren’t strong enough to walk. The third choice would be to take the wheelchair accessible exit, except there isn’t one in the basement. At this point, you don’t have an option except to sit in the basement and wait to see what happens.

After talking with one of the staff members of the Student Accommodations Center, I found out that the only ways to evacuate the building would be to take the elevator or the stairs.

Seeing as the elevators are usually shut down during a fire drill, the only option would be for the staff to assist students up the stairs to the first floor, where they could then exit the building via the wheelchair accessible entrance.

While there are some flaws with the physical space of the center, it’s the quality staff that really counts. Being someone who frequents the center, I have made many friends and have gotten to know the staff very well. Student Accommodation Services is committed to offering a wide variety of services to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities, and they do an excellent job of it. Working with the staff to get the accommodations I need is an easy and painless experience.

They assist me with any problems I encounter in class and provide me with the necessary technology I need in order to get my work completed.

The good news about the center’s new location is that it won’t be in the basement of the Main Building forever. What still bothers me is why, out of the eight campus buildings, did they have to choose the basement of the Main Building?

You’d think they would pick a more accessible location, one that doesn’t pose safety issues. Personally, I think putting the Student Accommodations Center in the basement of the Main Building was a bad decision.

It takes a longer time to get down to the center, and it poses a safety risk to everyone who goes down there. Until Room C219 is completely renovated, those of us who use the center will have to make due with the temporary location and all of its faults.