Concordia College, Moorhead, is its most dangerous in the winter. Ice goes everywhere it doesn’t belong; on roadways heading to Fargo, on sidewalks students use for classes, and on-ramps that can be potentially dangerous for wheelchair users.   

Student Abigail Vogeler is a cofounder of the club, Sonder. Sonder is a club for disability and mental health advocacy. Vogeler believes that there is a big need for accessibility everywhere. “Oftentimes, accessibility and accommodations are an afterthought,” she said. More students are talking about the issues this winter. 

Winters with heavy snowfall are common in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and those can be isolating for everyone at the college. Before the snow falls every year, disabilities services staff sends out a request that students who are affected by snow, mark down their routes to give direction to the snow removal team.  

The disability office serves as a place for counseling, advising and advocacy. Students are asked to address any issues that come up regarding their ability to move around campus and complete their assignments. But for people with disabilities and those who don’t drive, that practice can be limiting. 

One year-round issue the office is working is placement of elevators.  Elevators are in every academic building. however, there is only one elevator in any of the campus housing options. Although this is one of their big concerns, office staff and student activists would like elevators added in the dormitories when other improvements are made. 

(Source: The Concordian, Moorhead)