Going to college is a challenging transition for anyone – for most people, it's the first time they're away from home and responsible for everything from making their meals and cleaning their dorms to budgeting their time and money so all of their homework gets done and their bills get paid.

However, for disabled students, many college campuses create added barriers and extra challenges due to a lack of accessible opportunities and spaces. This can make it difficult, if not impossible, for students who use wheelchairs or have other physical disabilities to make it to class and other activities on time.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently made the news because, in addition to a broken elevator and a bus with limited wheelchair space, professors at the school were reportedly unwilling to accommodate students' academic needs. That's why students at this school and others across the country have banded together to create disabled cultural centers, which are “intended to honor and celebrate disability culture” and provide the sense of community so many disabled students lack.

Despite these types of movements toward inclusivity, many college campuses remain woefully behind the times when it comes to supporting, accommodating, and creating safe and accessible spaces for disabled students.

Struggling with ‘Ableism' on College Campuses

As any person with a disability can attest, there are many mental and emotional challenges associated with living in a world that has primarily been designed to accommodate able-bodied people. However, it is important to note that these challenges aren't just frustrating – they may also be illegal. Many institutions that serve the public – including college campuses – are legally required to provide certain services and amenities for disabled individuals. In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees equal opportunity in public accommodations, jobs, transportation, government services, and telecommunications.

Most colleges have a disability services office that is dedicated to ensuring disabled students can access the same opportunities as able-bodied students – but sometimes these services fall short of their goals, and in these cases, it is the students who suffer. If you are a disabled individual and you have encountered inaccessible spaces or experienced discrimination on your college campus, you may have grounds to take legal action to achieve the accessibility and equality that you and other disabled students deserve.

What To Do If You Face Discrimination on Campus

If you have encountered ableism on your college campus, it's time to speak with an experienced attorney-advisor who can help. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm specialize in student defense and student rights, and they are ready and willing to take on your case and help you fight for your rights – just like they've done for hundreds of students across the country. Don't wait to get started – you and other disabled students at your university deserve better. Get in touch with the Lento Law Firm today. Call 888.535.3686 or contact us online to get started.