217 Today: U of I senior dropped disability studies minor over inaccessible bathrooms

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Alyx Bibbs, a wheelchair user at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, demonstrates how their wheelchair does not fit in the stall in the women’s bathroom in Room 135 in the Henry Administration Building. The “wheelchair-accessible” signage was removed in mid-November, after Bibbs decided to drop their class.
  • Photo: Layli Nazarova for Illinois Student Newsroom

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Today’s headlines:

  • Uniting Pride of Champaign County and the Unitarian Universalist Church held a candlelit vigil to honor the lives lost due to anti-trans violence. 
  • One of Robert Jones’ most tangible legacies has been significantly expanding financial aid for students.
  • Officials with the Danville School District 1-18 say they’ve reached an agreement with Superintendent Alicia Geddis to have her return to working in person. 
  • Illinois legislators are debating how to stop drugs from getting into state prisons.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about some issues at the University of Illinois that continue to create barriers for disabled students.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Adelyn Mui, Emily Hays, Anulika Ochuba, Mawa Iqbal and Layli Nazarova. 

 

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Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.