Door-access button outside Heath damaged, witness claims student vandalism

Campus Safety received a report from a worker on campus who witnessed a student kick and knock off the handicapped button outside of the Heath building on Feb. 28. 

The push button was taken to facilities and is also another task that the facilities center has taken on. When the parts were taken to facilities, they attempted to fix the original device, but they now must purchase a new unit to be installed. 

According to Disability Services and Facilities, this issue with the push button being damaged has never happened before. It is not just a button used for students with disabilities, but it daily assists able-bodied people throughout campus to make tasks easier. 

“We do have students, faculty, and staff members with physical disabilities, those tools help support their disability and provides equity for them,” said Director of Disability Services Kerry Kimble. “They should feel good knowing that where they work or attend school is a place that care for them well.” 

Staff and students frequently use this button. It is convenient when their hands are filled with books. Parents with young children also find this button as an efficient solution to be able to come through the door while they have a child in a stroller.  

Vanguard has provided equal access to those who physically cannot take the stairs or need assistance by having tools such as elevators, ramps, and push buttons available.  

“We want students to value their facilities and ultimately value the people that use them, which includes them,” Kimble said. 

Being able to use these tools is a privilege that students have and abusing these technologies brings about an extra financial cost that need to be taken care of. 

For those who do damage technologies, such as this push button, they are also robbing others of having access to buildings or classrooms, which negatively affects their experience.  

“We need to be more mindful of how we treat our facilities and environment around us because we aren’t just affecting people with disabilities, we’re affecting all people and their ability to access these different technologies,” Kimble said.