"[The University] has been anxious to help with just about anything," Downer says. Downer says that at the beginning of each term he can give a list of courses he is considering taking and the school will move all of them to accessible classrooms.

"I have trouble writing, and the University has been really helpful in giving me extra time for final exams," Downer says. The University also offers free laundry service because most washing machines are located in inaccessible basements.

University officials contend that many of the buildings still not accessible to all students simply cannot be converted. According to Crooks, Harvard Hall would have to be completely gutted in order to make it practically accessible. "Even once you get in, there's stairs in every direction."

Housing

According to both the ABLE report and Crooks, the most severe problems faced by the handicapped involve access to housing. There are 16 freshman dorms with only one accessible to the handicapped. There are 13 upperclass houses, and just two are equipped to house disabled students.

The University has modified two suites in the Yard, both on the ground floor of Canaday B for handicapped use. But with no other accessible dorm in the Yard, handicapped students say their social life is limited. "I can't go to visit any of my friends," said Downer, who lives in Canaday B. "I can't even see anyone upstairs in my own entry."

Although he has found moving around the Yard difficult, Downer is pleased with the tours the University gave him of all the available rooms in the upperclass houses. He says he was allowed to choose the room that best accommodated his need to use a wheelchair. All handicapped freshmen discuss options with College officials prior to the spring lottery to determine their house for the following year.

But most houses and all but two freshman rooms remain unavailable to those severely mobility impaired. Crooks remarks that the reason more houses aren't accessible is that in most cases it would be impossbile.

"Look at Kirkland or Winthrop or any of the Georgian houses. You might be able to ramp it in, but where could you go from there?" Crooks says. Every little hallway and entryway has steps."

Most University officials claim that because of the need for so many bypasses, major renovations to make more rooms accessible is impractible. "Accessibility begins with a ramp, but it doesn't end there," says Quinn. Once inside, sufficiently large elevators with buttons reachable by people in wheelchairs are needed, as well as restrooms and low drinking fountains.

"If someone comes up with a reasonable project, we will follow through with it," says Quinn.

"There's a limit to what you can do realistically."

One proposal drafted by Wallace and Crooks is to make Hurlbut Hall totally accessible. Such a plan would give a handicapped student access to many rooms, not just his room on his floor. Wallace has received estimates that the project would cost about $30,000.

The situation in the houses is almost as bad. Only Leverett, Quincy, and Cabot are even partially accessible. In order to reach the Quincy dining room, disabled students must take a freight elevator in the kitchen. Leverett Towers have elevators but these only go to the even floors. "I have to choose my friends on the even floors only," quipped Wallace, a Leverett resident. "Other people can visit their friends, but you can't."

According to Quinn, the renovations of Cabot House will make that house completely equipped for the handicapped. But no plans are set to modify the other houses, mostly because of the age of the buildings. "They weren't thinking about accessibility 200 years ago when they built buildings like Harvard and University Halls," Quinn says.