UVA is known for its commitment to excellence, from strict admittance qualifications to an extensive network of alumni to its dedicated maintenance of its beautiful and historic campus. The school is even ranked the fourth-best public university in America, according to U.S. News. This is why, when USA Today announced a ranking of the “10 Most Challenging Wheelchair Obstacle Courses in America”, it was no surprise that UVA was on the podium, ranking third nationally.
“Oh, yeah, it’s horrid,” Sophie Dunn, sophomore and wheelchair user, responded to the announcement, “I’m honestly disappointed we didn’t rank higher.”
The school’s historic nature gives it a leg up on the competition. In the name of conservation, many buildings and structures can legally remain inaccessible long past the infrastructure at more modern institutions. It was due to such valiant conservation efforts that The Lawn was able to go without permanent wheelchair ramps until 2019.
Abel Isterling, one of the evaluators for the category, explains some of the factors going into the college’s rating.
“One of the most important things we look for in a course is universal design,” Isterling said, “By universal design, we mean how universally inaccessible the pathways are. Steep, winding ramps may be difficult for manual chair users, but for those with power chairs, we need other ways to challenge participants.”
Some of these methods include: creating narrow walkways, mislabeling “accessible” pathways, and making paths extraordinarily long and unintuitive. By varying the types and difficulties of the challenges, participants of all abilities can find themselves enjoying the course.
“We love to see variation,” Isterling explained, “That’s what really made UVA stand out. Some pathways combined out-of-order elevators, narrow ramps, winding underground passageways, and undermaintained outdoor segments. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
Some routes, with time and practice, might become boring to participants. This is why UVA implemented DART, an “on-demand” paratransit service for UVA students and employees. Students have described it as “Evil Uber”. With little employee vetting, abysmal salaries, and a janky, time-consuming reservation system, DART integrates a degree of luck into a participant’s route, ensuring a uniquely challenging experience every time. Some examples include drivers heckling students for tips, sudden ride cancellations, and rides completely ignoring students and driving past.
“You know, I’m grateful for this opportunity,” said Jan Kowalski, grad student and wheelchair user, “I feel I’m not challenged enough in my everyday life by inaccessibility and ableism. It’s refreshing, really. Having to put aside hours to commute less than a mile daily really forces you to slow down and smell the flowers. That, and they haven’t cut the hedges behind New Cabell in a year, so you really don’t have a choice.”
