Disabled UNC Student Gets Stuck In Elevator

Justin Borses
Mar 12, 2022
1 min read

Updated: May 5, 2022

NORTHRIDGE, CA- Saavedra Forero attends the University North Carolina and uses elevators to access the campus. The machine broke downon Tuesday and was left that way for over a week, leaving her stranded inside her dorm for more than 36 hours. She is now pushing for increased accessibility and accountability from the school administration.

Saavedra Forero was awoken by a loud bang at her door. A residential assistant stopped by to let her know the elevator had stopped working. The estimated repair time started at 30 minutes, four hours later she was carried out of the room by Emergency Medical Services.

The elevator itself wasn’t taken care of until the following Tuesday. Forero noted that she hadn’t been given the option for a first-floor room. University personnel said she could live off campus or in a space previously used for isolated Covid positive students.

Saavedra said the whole ordeal left her very “dehumanized.”

The school says that they are committed to assisting people with disabilities, “We continue to work with students and key campus partners to examine processes, policies and procedures.

Students that are dealing with this issue can get help from Carolina Housing. Remote learning is an option via Accessibility Services. Lyft to campus using Point-On-Demand and handicapped vans are provided by the Department of Transportation.

Emergency procedures are available through the University’s Campus Safety/Institutional Integrity and Risk Management website.

Forero is in touch with university authority figures and is working on more permanent changes to help others who use wheelchairs as well.

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