Physical Access on Campus

Ball State is committed to providing services and programs that are readily accessible to individuals with disabilities. The following information is provided to help ensure and enhance physical accessibility on campus and academic access in the classroom.

Mobility Orientation: Proper orientation and mobility training for students with visual impairments is very important. In addition to the large print and tactile maps, many students find it useful to "work" the campus for a day or two before classes begin with the aid of a professional orientation and mobility instructor. Arrangements are made through your Vocational Rehabilitation Office.

Housing and Residence Life: Accommodation needs related to disability should be discussed with housing personnel as early as possible and your requests should be made in writing when submitting a housing contract.  Various residence halls throughout campus have been modified for students with disabilities. Additionally, residence hall personnel will work with you on individual room modifications as feasible. University Apartment Housing has modified units and may be an option for older students with disabilities.

Bus Shuttle Bus Service: BSU Campus Shuttle Bus operates daily during the academic school year (August - May) from 7:15 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, from 7:15 a.m. - 7:00 p.m on Friday, and 3:00-11:30 p.m. on Sundays. It is available free of charge to students, faculty, staff and visitors. The current plan provides transit availability every 6 to 10 minutes along McKinley Avenue. The Shuttle bus stops only at designated points.

Accessible Shuttle for Students with Disabilities: A lift-equipped campus shuttle runs Monday through Thursday 7:15 a.m. to 12:00 midnight and Friday 7:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the regular academic year for those with mobility impairments. ON Sundays the shuttle runs from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  Call the Transportation Office (285-9045) to request a pick-up and to designate a location. The shuttle does not go off campus. Please call at least one hour prior to the desired pick-up time and please be patient, particularly in times of heavy use and inclement weather. This service is also very useful, particularly in bad weather, for students who are blind or have visual impairments. The DSD Office establishes the eligibility list for this service.

Large Print/Braille Maps: These are available for people with visual impairments to familiarize them with the campus. The tactile maps show features such as sidewalks, intersections, etc. as well as the names of buildings and streets.

Campus TTY's: Some key administrative offices on campus have TTY's. Additionally, there is a TTY located at one of the entrances to each residence hall complex on campus. A list of TTY phone numbers can be found here: Campus TTY Numbers.  Or, call the DSD TTY number (765) 285-2206 to request a list of TTY phone numbers.

Snow Removal: During the winter months, routes used by students with disabilities are given first priority for snow removal. If you find inaccessible areas, report them to the Office of Disabled Student Development (285-5293) or Work Control (285-5081) for immediate attention.

Building and Elevator Keys: Many buildings on campus have key-controlled elevators. If your disability requires access to these elevators in academic buildings, you may get keys and maps of the buildings from the Disabled Student Development office. Keys for elevators in residence halls are acquired from the residence hall director of the particular hall in question.

Key Modification: Rings may be soldered onto your elevator or room key(s) for ease in handling for those with dexterity difficulties. Contact the Disabled Student Development office.

Push Sticks for Elevators: Elevator button-control sticks are available in the Disabled Student Development Office for those with hand or arm dexterity problems.

Adjusted Height Tables in Classrooms: These tables are provided for those who cannot use the conventional seating in a classroom because of a wheelchair or other mobility impairment. Arrangements to have these tables put in the classroom should be made as soon as the schedule is completed. Contact the Disabled Student Development office with a list of classrooms for which you will need tables and the height (in inches from the floor) to which you would like the table adjusted.

Service Animals: Ball State recognizes the value and need of service animals to assist some students with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as "... any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders or sound, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items."

The university reserves the right to ask for verification of the training that has been provided as well as the nature of the services being performed. These services must be more than providing emotional well being. Ball State reserves the right to ask that the animal undergo additional training or be removed if it does not fit this description or if it has become disruptive. For example, a properly trained service animal will remain at its owner's feet. It does not run freely around, bark or growl repeatedly at other persons or animals, bite or jump on people, or urinate or defecate inside buildings. An animal that engages in such disruptive behavior shows that it has not been successfully trained to function as a service animal in public settings.

The good health of the animal is the responsibility of the owner. If the animal is in ill health (bowel/bladder control problems, fleas, etc.), the owner may be asked to remove it from the university.

Wheelchair Repair: While every effort should be made to do preventative maintenance while at home on break, minor repairs such as fixing a flat tire or changing batteries and/or belts can be done through the Physical Plant by calling 285- 5815. No structural welding or repair of electronic systems will be done. Brand Sheet Metal of Muncie (284-5594) will do welding. They will also pick up and deliver the wheelchair. Grainger Industrial Supply of Muncie (741-8100) sells battery chargers. For major repairs, contact one of the following:

-- Adaptive Mobility, Inc.
Indianapolis, 800-969-1154

-- Dela-Lift
Muncie, 760-4437

-- McCrocklin Ford & Mobility
Middletown, 765-354-2261
*In addition to wheelchair repairs,
McCrocklin Ford also sells and rents accessible vans.

-- Saint John's Medical Supplies
Anderson, 646-8366

-- The Scooter Shop
Anderson, 641-9818

-- VitalMed
Muncie, 288-8119

*Also, Batteries Plus has a good supply of medical related batteries and the ability to deliver the batteries during normal business hours. If you mention Disabled Student Development you will be offered a discount on batteries for wheelchairs and hearing aids. Batteries Plus is located at 4101 North Wheeling. The phone number is 282-2288. If your repairs are being paid for by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), prior arrangements will need to be made with your VR counselor.

Loaner Wheelchairs: Manual wheelchairs are available for loan on a short term basis. Contact the Disabled Student Development office for more information.

Clubs and Organizations: In addition to an organization for students with disabilities (Disabled Students in Action - DSIA), Ball State encourages participation in extracurricular activity for all students. If you have need of an accommodation related to disability in order to more fully enjoy or participate in an organization, club, activity, or event, please contact the organization or sponsoring department.