Commuting to campus in harsh winter weather can be quite a challenge, especially for Iowa State’s physically handicapped students and staff.

While snow and ice conditions cost most people extra time and energy, those who live with a disability pay even more.

Joyce Packwood, coordinator of Disability Resources at ISU, is quadriplegic and must use a wheelchair for transportation. At times, bad weather turns getting around campus into a real struggle, she said.

“It’s a fact of life, [but] it’s still a difficult thing,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t go out because it’s too dangerous. We all learn by doing.”

Packwood said sidewalks and ramps to campus buildings can be a problem when snow collects and becomes packed down. When grounds crews don’t keep these areas cleared, she said, it becomes frustrating.

“The more you pack it down, the worse the traction,” she said. “There’s no traction; your wheels spin.”

Jan Dreesman, a graduate student in adult education, experiences similar troubles. A custom-designed cart helps transport her around campus, and she finds that sometimes even handicapped doors make it difficult to enter buildings. To get inside The Maintenance Shop in the Memorial Union, for example, Dreesman said she must first go outside then around the building to reach the nearest available door.

“They’re accessible,” she said, “but how accessible is it if it’s raining or snowing, and I have to go outside?”

In addition, Dreesman said battling fire doors in building corridors often leaves her with back pain.

“Corridor doors are very heavy. It’s hard to try to manipulate them,” she said.

“When you fight the elements, it wears the body down faster, physically. When I get home at night, I’m too tired to study.”

Aside from such inconveniences, however, the university works to accommodate the needs of disabled people by providing a set of options for travel. Included are the Help Van, Cy-Ride, handicapped parking and Dial-a-Ride. Dreesman and Packwood acknowledge these systems as a success.

“The bus system here is really good. The bus drivers are very helpful,” said Dreesman, a frequent user of Dial-a-Ride.

“Usually a minivan picks me up and takes me anywhere I need to go.”

Packwood said the dependability of the transportation systems is a comfort in case emergency situations arise.

“It’s nice to know that the Help Van will come and help you if you get stuck. Usually passersby will help,” she said.

Dreesman agreed. “This campus seems to be so friendly, so helpful,” she said. “People are so generous. I’ve been really impressed.”

Still, both Packwood and Dreesman would like to see more money go toward handicap accessibility.

In particular, Dreesman said she would like to see the installation of more automatic doors and, due to the location of her classes, the expansion of eating establishments on campus.

“It takes a long time to get from building to building,” she said. “When I have all my classes in Lagomarcino or Kildee, [it becomes] pretty difficult to get to the Memorial Union to get a meal.”

Packwood said the state should provide more funding for disability services.

“I’d like to see the legislature give more funds,” she said. “It won’t happen overnight.”

“We’re as much a part of the campus as everyone else. I think it needs to be recognized just as much as anything else,” Dreesman said.