The ongoing journey toward accessibility in Athens

Photo via Morgan Miller/The New Political

This article was published as part of The New Political’s 2025 Fall Print.

Neither Ohio University nor the surrounding city of Athens has been known for accessibility. In town and on campus, there are many instances of issues such as holes in the bricks, lack of Americans with Disabilities Act accessible ramps and relocation of accessibility services. 

One abrupt change for students this year was the sudden movement of the Student Accessibility Services. In early September, a new whiteboard-sized sign on the second floor of Alden Library read, "Accessibility and Testing Services has moved to the 1st Floor.” 

The services were moved with almost no notice. In a statement from Kerry Griffin, president of Student Accessibility Services, said the move was enacted to “align with [Ohio U’s] ongoing efforts to centralize student support services in accessible, student-focused spaces on campus.”

Although the library is a student-focused space on campus, the first floor of the library has several accessibility issues. There are no accessible bathrooms, and no women's bathrooms at all. There is also no accessible fire exit, which could be required in an emergency if the elevator were unable to be used. Ohio University Student Senator for Accessibility and Accommodation Rees Morris acknowledged these issues in a statement. 

“I feel as though the move to the basement of a building no one would assume they could get that service in to be symbolic of the university's lack of commitment to an accessible campus. Placing an essential service to many individuals in the corner of a basement floor, which few venture to, does not help the problem of a lack of accessibility on this campus,” Morris said. 

There is ultimately a plan to renovate the first floor of the library to make it more accessible, but there is no exact timeline for this plan. 

“Regarding accessibility, the first floor of Alden Library is currently undergoing improvements to better serve all visitors. While the accessibility of the floor is consistent with other areas of the building, we recognize the need for enhanced restroom facilities, and a renovation project has been approved that will provide two fully accessible, single-user restrooms on the first floor,” Griffin continued in her statement.

Accessibility is an important part of any community, and the City of Athens also has its share of accessibility issues. However, there certainly are people in Athens committed to creating a more accessible Athens, such as the Athens Disabilities Commission.

“One issue is, members of the community don't think that there needs to be a change in, for example, repairing sidewalks so they're more accessible. It's hard when it comes down to priorities for the city,” Secretary of the Disabilities Commission Dr. Allyson Hughes said.  

Holes in the bricks and non-ADA-compliant curb ramps have caused issues for students with mobility issues for years. In 2024, the Athens Disabilities Commission launched the ADA Curb Ramp Project to install and upgrade current ramps around Athens to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Although the project was created over a year ago, it is still in the process of being completed. 

In the past year, the Alexander Inclusive Playground Project, a project to create an accessible playground for all children, has also been completed. Lisa Wigal, co-chair of the project, was awarded the 10th annual Athena Award for her work on the project. 

“We celebrated our 10th Athena Award, which was fantastic because the award also went to someone who spearheaded and collaborated on the accessible playground so that her daughter could have access to a playground locally,” Hughes said. 

Another event to raise awareness in Athens every year is the annual Walk, Talk, and Roll event in the spring, where community members are challenged to make it across the intersection between Court Street and East State Street in a manual wheelchair before the traffic lights change. 

Although accessibility in Athens is not to the standard it should be, people are working to improve it. Community members in Athens attending events like the Walk, Talk, and Roll help raise awareness and work toward a more accessible Athens.