Parking Lot "O" is Southwestern College's most visible as it opens out onto Otay Lakes Road. It is, however, SWC's least accessible for students with disabilities.
Lot "O" does not have ramp access for students in wheelchairs. Disabled students who try to go to the top level of the school may find difficulties. That may soon change.
John Wilson, director of Business and Operations at SWC, said his team is in the process of developing a reasonable access to the campus. He pointed out though, that the campus now has more disabled parking on its main elevation.
"Students should be able to have access to any place in school," said Joe Chavez, president of the ABLE Club.
SWC has made a great deal of progress improving accessibility, Chavez said, but glitches remain.
The Higher Education Center in San Ysidro's facility was built without an electric front door to let in wheelchairs.
Disabled Compliance personnel from the State Architect reviewed HEC San Ysidro. Even though it meets the American with Disabilities Act standards, it should have an automatic door.
Wilson asked his staff to get bids for an electric door.
"I think the school needs to work on these type of issues, this cannot be happening," said Chavez.
Helen Elias, director of Disability Support Services at SWC, said she has not received any complaints from students about Parking Lot "O." Neither has Wilson.
"Parking Lot O is so far (away), that it didn't make good sense to try to put a disabled person that far away, so we made the decision to put more disabled parking in Parking Lot A," said Wilson.
The future plans for the main campus are to develop the corner lot, and from there, look for ways to transport pedestrians from Parking Lot "O" up to the campus elevation.
"We want to build a ramp or probably an elevator, within the next three years," said Wilson.
While this happens disabled students are being encouraged to park in other designated areas close to the center of the campus.
SWC did a great job with the new automatic doors at the library, but they need to keep up the good work in order to provide everyone with equal opportunities.
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