Forced to Hurlbut

Harvard began stepping up its programs for the handicapped in 1977 after the Congress passed tighter regulations forcing greater access for the handicapped to facilities financed in part by federal funds. The legislation stated that no individual, "solely by reason of his handicap, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of" any activity receiving federal funds.

That law required the University to embark on a three-year transition plan that would bring it into compliance. Following the government order, each building was surveyed by a specially appointed planning committee. Surveyors examined each building with architectural plans in hand, accompanied by a student in a wheelchair.

A bill is being considered by the Massachusetts State Senate, calling for even more stringent regulations. According to the law, newly constructed buildings and those that undergo extensive renovations are required to be accessible to the handicapped. Mather House, to a large extent inaccessible, was built 12 years ago, two years prior to the government ruling. The newly renovated Sever Hall is completely accessible, as is Cabot House, which is now being redesigned.

According to recent estimates, the College has spent $612,000 on access modications in the last four years. This figure includes access projects at the football stadium, the Malkin Athletic Center, the Disabled Student Center in Lamont Library, Sever Hall, Briggs Hall, two suites in Canaday, and one suite in Leverett House.

The following is a partial list of those dormitories and University buildings that have full or partial accessibility to handicapped students.

Fully accessible buildings

(with special elevator and bathrooms)

. Classrooms--Sever, Boylston, Littauer, Pierce, Fairchild Biochem Labs, Coolidge, William James, and Sanders Theatre.

. Memorial Hall;

. Libraries-Lamont, Widener (not stacks), Pusey, Hilles, Gutmann, Langdell, Baker;

Partially accessible buildings

. No bathrooms--Cruft, Carpenter Center, Conant Lab, Converse, Jefferson Labs, and Robinson;

. No elevator--Emerson and Robinson.

Accessible dormitories

. Canaday-B entry and Weld North (ground floors);

. Houses--none completely accessible Quincy, Leverett and Currier, partially accessible. (Cabot will become completely accessible after renovations);

. Dining halls--Freshman Union, Leverett, Mather;

. Laundry Facilities--all freshman and upperclass houses except Currier, Mather, Quincy.