In the summer of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by then-President George W. Bush. The Act defines disability broadly and requires reasonable accommodations to remove barriers hindering participation. In Chapter 4, the ADA describes ramp requirements, explaining that “ramps and curb ramps are required along accessible routes to span changes in level greater than ½”. Elevators and, under certain specified conditions, platform lifts, can be used as an alternative. Portions of accessible routes with running slopes steeper than 5% also must be treated as ramps” (Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards, Chapter 4, U.S. Access Board). While Chapter 10 discusses miniature golf courses, not ONCE does the ADA reference scooters for the sole purpose of athletic use (public humiliation). 

This omits one of the largest, most important demographics: the athletes who are deluded enough into believing that because they play a Division 1 sport, campus is as large as a typical D1 campus. These vital assets to our community have been shunned and turned away; told they mustn’t ride their scooters indoors, then told they are not permitted even to bring their only form of transportation inside, and then spurned for parking their scooters on the ramps? As if there’s anywhere else to park them?

Whether they’re taking off their shoes in class, distracting you then asking for your notes, or just generally touching on your weird, Davidson scooter-athletes are valuable assets in the classroom. Who else will repeat what you said five minutes ago in class? Who else won’t carry their weight during a group project?

I know many of you see an athlete on a scooter and think low of them, but let me tell you what I see: A Wildcat Warrior, clutching at the reins of their chariot, perhaps galloping forth to battle, but, surely at least, off to defend the good name of Davidson College. So I say: Let them park! Screw accessibility! We should all be in awe of these student celebrities in our midst! When you’re that much more important than your peers, only your accessibility matters.

Please sign my petition on Change.org to install scooter ramps from Baker to Union and Qdoba. Thank you.