Students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, often choose the university for its scenic location on the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains, but that same terrain creates significant challenges for those with mobility issues. The campus sits on an upward slant, gaining roughly 512 feet in elevation, which means students must traverse dirt paths shaded by redwood trees and climb steep hills or stairs to reach their destinations.
A Campus Designed Without Wheelchair Users in Mind
Annie Kepler, a fourth-year microbiology major and cancer survivor who uses a wheelchair, says the campus was not designed with accessibility in mind. She described the experience as “defeated” and noted that UCSC frequently boasts about diversity while failing to include disability in that conversation. The university’s Disability Resource Center reported serving over 3,800 students with various disabilities during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Scott Hernandez-Jason, the assistant vice chancellor for communications and marketing at UCSC, stated that accessibility is an ongoing process rather than a static goal. He explained that the campus, which opened in 1965, was constructed under the building standards of the time and has since expanded efforts to make facilities accessible, particularly through major construction and renovation projects.
In her first year, Kepler was assigned to a triple dorm room in College 9, located in the upper portion of the campus. Her room was under 200 square feet, making it difficult to store a wheelchair. She struggled to visit friends on the second or third floors, often causing physical pain. “I learned pretty quickly that I just shouldn’t bother using my wheelchair here,” she said. The ADA-required push plates in her building also malfunctioned, and she felt embarrassed when others watched her struggle to open doors.
Living With Crutches and Uneven Pavement
Ruby Mihalko, a community studies major and theater arts minor, faced similar difficulties after injuring her ankle and using crutches. She lived in a third-floor dorm that lacked an elevator, forcing her to rely on friends to help her work through the stairs. It took around 10 days to gain access to a first-floor dorm. Mihalko utilized the campus disability van service (DVS), but she felt the shuttles were understaffed and could often drop her near her destination without providing access into the building itself.
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Kepler was able to bring her car onto campus in her first year, as students with a valid DMV placard can park in specified spots for free. Mihalko, who does not own a vehicle, found walking with crutches difficult due to the uneven pavement. “I just didn’t do that because I was too scared of falling considering that every single piece of pavement on this campus is extremely different and very uneven,” she said. She added that one friend would sometimes pick her up and carry her to class.
Kepler noted that finding housing is much harder when searching for specific accommodations, such as buildings with elevators or apartments with enough space for wheelchair mobility. Affordable housing is scarce in one of the most expensive markets in California, where the average price for a two-bedroom apartment exceeds $2,700 a month.
Fighting for Inclusion Beyond Physical Barriers
Students with disabilities also face social stigma and the frustration of missing out on common campus activities like biking, jogging, or surfing. Kepler said it is disappointing that the university does not put more effort into creating accessible activities or advertising options like beach wheelchairs. To address these issues, she took initiative to create the Zebra Club, a space where students can discuss their experiences and advocate for change.
The club meets regularly with the Disability Resource Center to discuss accessibility. Kepler noted that after speaking with administrators, the group feels the university is trying its best but lacks the resources to make significant improvements. This gap between intent and resources suggests that even with staffed offices like the ADA Compliance Office, the physical barriers on campus remain a persistent hurdle for students to overcome.
Creating a space for advocacy
Kepler founded the Zebra Club to provide support for students facing similar barriers. The group holds regular meetings to discuss their experiences and coordinate with university staff. Through these discussions, members have found that administrators understand the need for change. They recognize that the physical infrastructure limits their ability to make significant improvements.
