Accessibility Challenges at Ringling College: Students Face Barriers Despite Efforts to Improve
By Anthony Brownstead
SARASOTA, FL – At Ringling College of Art and Design, students push creative boundaries every day, but for those with disabilities, navigating campus presents challenges that hinder their college experience. Despite efforts to improve accessibility, students with mobility impairments still face difficulties with certain buildings, pathways, and infrastructure.
Students Struggle with Campus Accessibility
For Finn, a freshman Entertainment Design student who has mobility issues due to arthritis, daily movement can be painful and exhausting.
“My biggest accessibility challenges personally are the elevators and doorways. It can be difficult to open doors for me, partially because I am very weak and they can be heavy, and when using my cane it is hard to open them with just one hand. If I happen to be carrying something with my other hand, it is near impossible. The elevators at Ringling frequently break down, are very slow, and take a while to be fixed. This can mean that I am forced to take the stairs, which increases my fatigue and worsens my arthritis.”
Finn also described issues with uneven walkways and long ramps.
"Not too long ago, I was using my cane and tripped after it was caught on a bump in the pavement. I slid across it and totally messed my legs and hands up. Besides that, the stairs are tiring to use, but because the ramps are so long, I tend to avoid them."
(unfortunately Finn did not feel comfortable with showing their face for others to see)
Another student, Renee, a senior in Photography and Imaging shared her frustrations with accessibility on campus, particularly the challenges she faces as someone who relies on a crutch for mobility.
“Yes, I’ve definitely had issues on campus because of my disability. Since I have to use a crutch for the rest of my life and walk slower than others, getting around can be difficult. For a while, I relied on Public Safety for assistance, but after some time in freshman year of 2021, they stopped helping me without explanation. That was really upsetting because I depended on that support. Eventually, I just had to adjust—I started arriving at class much earlier to make up for the extra time it takes to get around, and I live an hour away from campus too and sometimes traffic can happen. Now if I was late, then that was just something I had to deal with.”
Beyond mobility challenges, Renee also pointed out concerns with accessible parking on campus.
“There aren’t enough accessible parking spots, and even the ones we do have are often blocked or too far from certain buildings, like the Photography building. It makes things even harder for students like me who already struggle with getting around. So I do believe this campus needs more parking in general but as well as spots for disabled people. Even though I’m leaving soon, I still think this should change so the future students don't have to worry about the same thing I experienced.
Renee, Senior in Photography and Imaging
What the College is Doing to Improve Accessibility
The Director of Student Accessibility Services at Ringling, acknowledges that while the college has made progress, there is still work to be done.
“We’ve installed ramps in several key areas, and we’re working on updating older buildings,”the director said . “We also provide academic accommodations, such as priority seating and digital class materials for students who need them.”
The college has received feedback from students and is in discussions about implementing additional upgrades, including more automatic door openers and better signage for accessible routes. However, funding and logistics remain significant hurdles.
A facilities representative also noted that some of the older campus buildings pose challenges due to their original design, and renovations take time to implement.
Why This Issue Matters Now
Accessibility concerns at Ringling have been ongoing, but recently, a student-led initiative has been gathering testimonies and signatures to present to the administration. The push for change has grown louder, with students advocating for quicker responses to accessibility issues and increased transparency about ongoing improvements.
“We want to make sure all students have equal access to education and campus life,” said a member of Ringling’s Student Government Association, who asked to remain anonymous. “By raising awareness, we hope the college will prioritize these changes.”
Comparing Accessibility to Other Schools
While accessibility is an issue at many colleges, some institutions have taken more proactive approaches. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), for instance, has incorporated universal design principles into newer buildings and created an interactive accessibility map for students.
“It would be great to have a clear map of accessible pathways and doors,” said [Student Name Placeholder]. “Right now, I have to figure it out myself, which can be stressful.”
A Call for Inclusion
Accessibility is not just about compliance—it’s about ensuring that every student at Ringling College can fully participate in their education without unnecessary barriers. While the college has taken steps toward improvement, students like Finn hope that more substantial changes are on the horizon.
For now, students continue to navigate the challenges, pushing for a more inclusive campus where creativity and accessibility go hand in hand.
[Photo Caption: The Arland and Sally Christ-Janer Center at Ringling College, where students with mobility impairments struggle due to the lack of an accessible entrance]
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[Photo Caption: Ringling college and their Elevator issues]
We are always having issues on Ringling campus where the elevators constantly break down and don't get fixed for days/weeks at a time. This is an issue for the students who rely on the elevators but as well with them down students have to walk up to 5 flights of stairs or more a day during the year or even move in/out day. This is always an issue no matter how much it happens and it gets fixed.
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[Photo Caption: two parking spots for disability next to the student health center]
So these two spots are next to the student health center, but the issue with these two spots is either someone who isn't handicap parking here or it's always blocked by a campus dumpster which isn't good as these spots are needed by some of the students who need it on campus. Like Renee for example would always go to class complaining cause these two spots near the photo building was blocked by a dumpster.
Now let's get all these issues FIXED!
