<p>Since move-in day is approaching quickly I thought I would throw out a guide for the physically disabled.</p>
<p>If you went to the NSO you will have learned that UD is a challenge for the physically disabled.</p>
<p>First, it is an old campus, and Newark is an old town. UD does a much better job with accessibility than the town of Newark. Both love brick sidewalks..UD actually keeps their well maintained; Newark not so much. UD actually tries, and they don't do a horrible job at it. And they seem to improve every year. Newark does not.</p>
<p>The primary challenge with the campus is that the handicap access to buildings is obscured, or will require going around to the other side of a building. No signs to really help you with this and the walkways don't always allow this from the intuitive front of the building. </p>
<p>You cannot get to The Green from main st. you actually have to take a detour around the block. Are the steps really that nice that we can't put in ramps?</p>
<p>Avoid the dorms, not just on move-in day, but overall. The older dorms have virtually no access for the disabled, which should be enough of a reason to follow through with the yearly promise to tear them down. And the newer dorms, well the rooms themselves are tiny, overall not a fun experience if you are navigating.</p>
<p>Here are the most accessible places; more important the handicap restrooms.
1. Perkins ( out of the way, but alot of events are here. )
2. The new campus bookstore on mainstreet ( not alot of seating, but perfect location ).
3. Chipolte ( the only real accessible restroom off-campus on main street, hopefully some day Panera will step up and fix their issues ).
4. Trabant ( lots of seating ).</p>
<p>Events</p>
<p>When the events are at Perkins, it is great, and a large percentage are held there. </p>
<p>UD will give a phone number on event announcements for handicap. The biggest problem I have had is that for events, the information given by phone is not accurate or not helpful. When they tell you, "no need for special arraingements", that is usually not entirely accurate. People who run the events seem to not have any authority to make handicap arraingements at the event. </p>
<p>So if you believed the "no need", you will sometimes find yourself not being able to really attend the event. Things like the building designated as handicap restrooms is locked, or if a family is using the handicap seating area, not a single person can ask them to move.
So do your own planning. </p>
<p>Newark itself, and main street are a nightmare. </p>
<p>The north side of the street is usually not passable on busy weekends. A few of the resturants put tables on the sidewalk and a hostess podium. The Panera and Chipolte are both easy to navigate and the space between tables allow for navigation. Most of the other eateries are very cramped inside on busy weekends, but you can try your luck. </p>
<p>Newark has alot of stores with steps; alot!</p>
<p>Delaware has an excellent paratransit system so it is worthwhile to get setup with them. They will pickup and deliver
anywhere. and they have access to places nobody else can seem to drive. </p>