pedestrian bridge hard to push chair

[novanoin]

I went for a incoming student tour of campus housing of Indiana University - South Bend. The campus housing is located across a 600 foot span pedestrian bridge from the campus. I have a quickie Q7 rigid manual chair and two people had to help me get up the slope of the bridge. This bridge was the steepest thing I have ever tried. It crosses the St. Joseph river. I'm not a weakling but I was embarrassed that I needed help. I am going to live on campus because Voc Rehab said I had to. Any ideas for anyone on what to do. I don't want a power chair.

[gjnl]

What is your level of injury? Depending, you may be trying to take on more than your abilities allow if the bridge is within ADA compliance. You may find that a power chair gives you a lot of flexibility and conservation of energy on a vast campus, let alone getting over the bridge.

I don't have any answers for you, I am just wondering when the bridge was built, i.e., within the past 22 years since the ADA, or possibly Title 24, much earlier than ADA requirements. If if was built post 1990 then it is not in compliance with the law. Putting up that fight is not going to help you much, since you would probably be graduated before you could make a difference.

I would suggest contacting the school's students with disabilities center and ask how students in wheelchairs have been negotiating that bridge.

All the best,
GJ

[EAK]

Is this the bridge you are talking about?
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/52424194
Seems really long.

Maybe instead of a power chair you should consider e-motion wheels.

[novanoin]

Originally Posted by EAK

Is this the bridge you are talking about?
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/52424194
Seems really long.

Maybe instead of a power chair you should consider e-motion wheels.

That is the bridge I am talking about. They said it is 600 feet long. It connects the athletic field and the housing to the rest of campus. It was really steep. It is steeper on the other side that goes over the river.

I'm not sure if the Q7 is compatible with e-motion wheels. I think someone mentioned that the Q7's frame was cracking when power adapted wheels were used.

[novanoin]

Originally Posted by gjnl

What is your level of injury? Depending, you may be trying to take on more than your abilities allow if the bridge is within ADA compliance. You may find that a power chair gives you a lot of flexibility and conservation of energy on a vast campus, let alone getting over the bridge.

I don't have any answers for you, I am just wondering when the bridge was built, i.e., within the past 22 years since the ADA, or possibly Title 24, much earlier than ADA requirements. If if was built post 1990 then it is not in compliance with the law. Putting up that fight is not going to help you much, since you would probably be graduated before you could make a difference.

I would suggest contacting the school's students with disabilities center and ask how students in wheelchairs have been negotiating that bridge.

All the best,
GJ

I am a L1-L3 incomplete para.

I looked up the bridge and it was built in 2006.

[chick]

Originally Posted by novanoin

I am a L1-L3 incomplete para.

You definitely don't need to use a powerchair, or even a power-assist.

If the bridge is ONLY to access the housing area, and if VR is requiring you to be on campus and is paying for it but you can't or have difficulty accessing it, then see if Voc will support other housing options (eg. off-but-near campus).

Find out if the University offers alternative housing for students with dis.
If they don't, see how they will accommodate your needs. Be direct, state your needs.

If the bridge inhibits access to classes, that's usually simply addressed by moving class location.

If you do end up resolving the housing situation, but still need to get across the bridge occasionally, work with the students w/disabilities office/liaison/dean of students/ombudsperson etc., to arrange something, like an assist from campus security you can call when needed. You may actually find yourself getting across that bridge with no problem once you've done it a few times, but you might need to consider weather conditions, like rain/sleet/snow/ice, that'll make it hard on anyone, so always have a backup ready or on call (eg. campus security)

[novanoin]

on weather... south bend gets lake effect weather (lots of snow) from the great lakes. I live like five minutes from michigan. Any ideas on tires with lots of snow? I've been wanting to go to the beach and I've never tried sand so that is going to be an interesting adventure.

[iburkhart13]

What about campus para transit shuttles? Do they offer any?

[brian]

I don't know anything about you or the specifics of your injury so take this with a grain of salt:

Or you could take it as a challenge and get some exercise. If you have to cross that bridge every day I'll be that by the end of your first semester you'll be stronger and healthier as a result. It may suck at first, but take your time and rest as often as you need to. You'll be able to measure your progress pretty easily that way: "Wow - I used to have to stop four times, but now I only have to rest once." Believe me, the day you're able to get up that bridge without a rest you'll feel like you're king of the world.
Whenever people ask if need help getting up a hill - which, by the way, is almost never anymore because I fly up them - I always say, "No thanks, this is my workout for today."




Don't give in to the obstacle; overcome it.





EDIT: This is the hill I grew up on. It made a man out of me.

[ben.]

Start begging quickie to release Pat's ZX-1 before the fall semester starts. That's what im hoping for.