In fact, a number of buildings at Harvard are accessible in some sense but not fully accessible in practice.

The FDO itself, for example, is technically accessible. But to get in, Nathans says, students must navigate a tricky ramp and then, once inside have access only to the rooms on the first floor.

Nathans says she is always willing to vacate her first-floor office so disabled students can meet with their assistant dean but acknowledges the situation is not ideal.

Even when buildings are in full compliance with MAAB code, the buildings are not necessarily accessible to all disabled students.

MAAB and ADA code is designed for people in manual wheelchairs with full upper-body strength. But some disabled people use higher-tech, heavier wheelchairs which are electronically controlled or have additional health-related equipment built in.

As a result, FAS has replaced lifts and ramps which do meet MAAB code because--though technically appropriate--these accommodations simply did not meet the needs of the students using them.

This is a particular concern for the Houses--none of which are as accessible as Thayer and Weld, but many of which are partially accessible.

"Adams is accessible to the extent that someone can live in C entryway," says Robert L. Mortimer, associate director for building services in the office of physical resources. "If someone wanted to live in Russell [one Adams building] but wanted to visit someone in Randolph or Westmorly, that would be a challenge."