Helping disabled students stay safe

By Alan Chase
Staff Writer

Have you ever crossed a street on campus? Have you ever tried to cross a street on campus, but couldn’t see or hear a car approaching?

According to Mary Helen Walker, director of Disability Support Services (DSS), 206 students on the UNCP campus have some type of mobility issue. For example, there are 41 students with hearing impairments, 36 with visual impairments and 128 with a physical disability. In addition, there are 42 other students who also fall under these categories, but they are not the students’ main disability, says Walker.

So what is done on campus to help protect the disabled? Chief David Helton of the UNCP Police says that, until recently, the only person struck by a vehicle was during homecoming five years ago. In that instance, the driver was intoxicated.

On campus, the police will issue citations for failure to yield to pedestrians, speeding and reckless driving, says Helton. The fine for failing to yield for a pedestrian is $50, up from $20 just two years ago, says the chief. In addition, violating the campus speed limit of 20 mph will result in a $50 fine.

In order to deter traffic violations, Helton says the UNCP police use portable radar guns, set up check points and can issue state citations. The chief says there have also been recommendations of installing pedestrian signs on campus. Students are encouraged to use marked crosswalks and all vehicular traffic should yield to pedestrians.

What else can be done to help the disabled on campus? Walker of DSS says that some schools have posted signs that read “hearing impaired persons” or “blind persons” to warn vehicular traffic. Also, installing audible devices at major crosswalks would be helpful to the blind, says Walker.

For example, in Raleigh, N.C., there are buttons at each major intersection that can be activated by a visually impaired person. Once the light cycle is finished, an audible bird chirps to signal it is safe to cross.

So, the next time you see a pedestrian or bicyclist on campus give them the benefit of the doubt and yield to their right of way. You never know if they have a disability.