SUNY Cortland surveys accessibility of buildings and grounds

02/24/2026

How easily can students, faculty and staff get around the SUNY Cortland campus?

To find the answer to that question, the university is conducting a survey to explore accessibility and access challenges in coming weeks.

The voluntary survey among students, faculty and staff will run from Monday, Feb. 23, through Friday, March 13, at the start of spring break. It should take just 10 minutes and submissions are anonymous.

The survey data will help the university set priorities in making physical improvements that enable individuals to fully participate, live independently and enjoy equal opportunity and economic self-sufficiency.

The information that is gathered also will be part of an ongoing campuswide study identifying infrastructure improvements necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

"The assessment includes a site survey by contractors, a survey of all students and employees and interviews with specific campus constituents," said Joseph Westbrook, lead architect in the university's Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Office.

"Although there is an emphasis on physical accessibility, we are also interested in how our spaces are perceived, operated and understood," he said.

His office has teamed up with Disability Resources and Institutional Research and Analysis for the sake of identifying areas for improvement.

"The survey is intended to collect information about everyday user experiences, such as how well people of all abilities can access and use our buildings and grounds independently, safely and with dignity," said Sue Sprague, director disability resources.

Based on the input, the planners envision making improvements to campus routes by adding or renovating ramps and elevators, installing clearer signage and taking other measures.

Questions about the survey can be directed to the Disability Resources office or Institutional Research and Analysis.