Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusion: Clemson University's Commitment to Students and Employees
Clemson University strives to cultivate a welcoming environment where every member of its community can actively participate and contribute. A core component of this commitment involves providing accessible resources and accommodations that ensure equal access to educational services, programs, and activities, irrespective of disability. This article explores the various services and initiatives in place at Clemson University designed to support students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities.
Comprehensive Support Services
Clemson University offers a range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities. These services are designed to promote inclusivity and remove barriers to participation in campus life.
Office of Access Compliance and Education (ACE)
The Office of Access Compliance and Education (ACE) plays a crucial role in providing accommodations for employees and visitors with both temporary and long-term disabilities. ACE ensures that Clemson University adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant legislation.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is dedicated to supporting students with disabilities. SAS vets all student medical documentation for approval in the use of any of the following services. Appropriate medical documentation related to the mobility impairment or temporary mobility condition needs to be provided. SAS requests 72 hours to process any request.
Parking and Transportation Services
Parking and Transportation Services offers various accessible transportation options, including a paratransit shuttle service for registered students, employees, and patrons engaged in on-campus daily activities.
Read also: A Look at Clemson's Student Body
Digital Accessibility
Clemson is committed to digital accessibility, ensuring that electronic content is designed inclusively. This creates a digital environment where people can perceive, understand, and interact effectively.
Service Animals
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Clemson University permits the use of service animals and approved service animals in training on campus.
Specific Accessibility Services and Resources
Clemson University provides a variety of specific services and resources to address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.
Visual Interpretation Service: Aira
Aira ("eye-ra") is a 24-hour visual interpretation service that connects Clemson University blind and low-vision faculty, staff, students, and visitors with live visual interpreters. This service is accessible through a free app available on iOS and Android devices.
Transportation Accommodations
For short-term transportation needs, individuals can request a short-term parking pass, scooter rental, or point-to-point transportation by completing the Request for Short-Term Transportation Accommodations form. With approval, students, faculty, and staff with temporary mobility impairments can obtain a time-limited disability access parking permit from Parking and Transportation Services. All users must have already purchased or will need to purchase and display a current Clemson University parking permit, along with the temporary disability access parking permit in order to park in accessible parking spaces on campus. Individuals who need accessible parking for longer than four months or who desire to park in off-campus disability accessible spaces must obtain a state permit from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Individuals already using a state issued accessible parking tag, must register the hangtag with Parking and Transportation Services prior to use.
Read also: Clemson Admission GPA
Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters are available for students, faculty, and staff to use to maneuver around campus independently while experiencing temporary and/or permanent mobility impairments. These scooters are rented for a fee of $20 per week from Parking and Transportation Services. NOTE: Mobility scooters may be used in conjunction with other transportation and/or parking accommodations. The scooters are meant to be used inside and outside and can be driven into elevators, classrooms, residence halls, and onto transit buses.
Accessible Campus Transportation
Campus Routes are open to any faculty, staff or student and are equipped with wheelchair lifts. CATbus has accessible buses and multiple routes. Routes and maps are available at www.catbus.com. CATbus routes are free to students, faculty/staff, visitors, and community members. CATbus will need the Reasonable Request for Accommodation Form completed. For individuals with temporary and/or permanent mobility impairments, in which little to no walking is permitted for a given length of time, Tiger Assist is available. After 6 pm, accessible transportation is available using Clemson Nightline, Clemson University's on-demand, shared ride, nighttime safety service. Request a wheelchair lift equipped vehicle by selecting "ADA Accommodation" in the Clemson Nightline app when you request your ride.
Requesting Accommodations
Multiple ADA services are available to employees, prospective employees, and visitors who spend time on campus. If you are an employee, prospective employee, or visitor and have a disability covered under the Americans with Disability Act, please inform your supervisor or the University ADA Coordinator in the Office of Access, Compliance, and Education of your need for accommodation. Office of Access Compliance and Education (ACE) is used to vet all employee medical documentation for approval in the use of any of the following services.
The Importance of Self-Identification
Voluntarily self-identifying is a good thing - it's how things change. Clemson is committed to providing a positive working and learning environment that fosters respect and equitable treatment. Clemson emphasizes using respectful language about disabilities.
Concerns Regarding the Elimination of the Accessibility Commission
Clemson University’s decision to eliminate the Accessibility Commission, centered on people with disabilities, is not just disappointing; it is dangerous. This move strips away the one formal body that made sure students, staff, and faculty with disabilities had a voice. Without it, there is no clear line of accountability, no guarantee that barriers will be addressed, and no protection against being ignored. This is happening when it matters most. One in five college students has a disability. More students with disabilities are enrolling in higher education than ever before. But here’s the reality: they are still far less likely to graduate. Not because they can’t do the work, but because colleges too often fail to provide equal access. They face classrooms they can’t enter, technology they can’t use, and decisions made without them. By ending the Accessibility Commission, Clemson has made those barriers even harder to overcome. And the result will be devastating: more students with disabilities leaving college without a degree, not because they lack ability, but because the university refused to listen. Every student deserves the chance to walk or roll across the stage at graduation. Clemson’s decision risks taking that away. Disability rights are civil rights. They are human rights.
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