The Park Center at SUNY Cortland is a hub for athletics, fitness, and recreation in Cortland, NY, serving both students and the broader community. Despite being a crucial facility for physical and recreational activities, the center's current accessibility features are inadequate for many users, particularly those with disabilities and mobility challenges. It is imperative that these facilities are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of physical ability.

The Park Center, in particular, presents numerous obstacles. There are not enough push-button door openers throughout the building, making entry difficult for individuals with mobility challenges. The building also has only one elevator, located in the back, which is inconvenient and can severely limit access. Gym doors are too narrow for wheelchair users, and all bathroom doors rely on twist knobs—an inaccessible design for many students. Additionally, there is no wheelchair-accessible viewing area for the pool, preventing equal participation and observation during aquatic activities. Bathroom layouts vary widely from one restroom to another, creating inconsistency and confusion for those who rely on predictable accessible design. The braille signage in the building lists only room numbers rather than professors’ names, making navigation far more difficult for blind or visually impaired students.

These issues are more than inconveniences—they exclude students with disabilities from fully participating in academic, social, and recreational life on campus. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires equal access for all, and SUNY Cortland must take meaningful steps to meet this obligation and support every member of its community.

Several improvements are needed immediately: installing additional push-button door openers, widening gym entrances, replacing twist knobs with accessible hardware, creating a wheelchair-accessible pool viewing area, standardizing bathroom accessibility features, and updating braille signage with full room identifiers. Consulting accessibility experts and gathering direct input from students with disabilities will ensure that renovations meet real, everyday needs.

Improving accessibility is not only a legal requirement—it reflects our commitment to building an inclusive, respectful, and supportive campus environment. When all students can access campus facilities safely and independently, the entire community benefits.

We urge SUNY Cortland’s administration to prioritize these essential renovations and accessibility upgrades. By signing this petition, you are advocating for equality, inclusivity, and meaningful change. Together, we can help ensure that every student at SUNY Cortland feels valued, supported, and fully included. Sign now to make a difference.