Dear community members,

I am raising awareness of the lack of handicap accessibility at BLVD63. I am in a wheelchair, and I’m a dedicated graduate student at SDSU. I have been living here since August 19, 2021, and have raised issues to Building Management, which they seem unbothered to address, claiming “it isn’t in the budget” or “we’re working on it” but failing to give a reasonable timeline. This is a summary of the issues:

1. Only one of the three shuttles at BLVD63 has a wheelchair lift, resulting in longer wait times, and should that shuttle break down, people who need it would be deprived of service. I’ve provided Building Management with  my class schedule, yet I still have to wait longer for pickup. I also use the shuttle to get to campus to work in my office, attend meetings, study groups, student organization functions; and get my groceries from Trader Joes. BraunAbility wheelchair lifts start at $1500, and 1BR apartments here rent for $1818 a month, so it seems reasonable that BLVD63 could find the money in their budget. People with disabilities should be able to use the amenities too. When pressed, the management says they are adding GPS tracking to the shuttles, but it still doesn’t address that only one is properly equipped. 

2. I cannot do my own laundry. The stacking washer/dryer units aren’t accessible. I currently pay a staff member $20 on Fridays to do it. I have medical issues that are apparent with my laundry, and it is humiliating to rely on someone else to deal with that. I take pride in my independence and my home. It’s true the laundry closets are small, and there may be difficulties there, but I’d prefer to be able to do it myself, and as of writing this, the management has not given me any further options. 

3. There are no lifts to help disabled people in and out of the pools or spa. The railing is also loose. This presents a safety issue for everyone. 

Building Management has addressed some of my needs: they swapped the stove for one I can reach, and adjusted the fittings on my door so it doesn’t slam on me, but as tenants and customers at BLVD63, I believe we deserve more than the absolute minimum, and I’m also calling for more sensitive and timely responses on issues. As of printing this on October 7, no meaningful action on items 1-3 above has been taken. 

Please consider signing my petition to call attention to these issues and ask Building Management for change. Over 1 in 4 Americans (26%) have a disability. Help make our community a place for everyone. Everyone deserves independence and dignity. 

Thank you,

Elizabeth Bushnell (Unit 2217)