Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Overview: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) is a public university known for its commitment to accessibility and inclusive campus design. It has been nationally recognized as wheelchair-friendly and actively works to make academics, housing, transportation, and extracurricular life accessible. The campus includes modern upgrades with historic buildings and provides a supportive environment for students with disabilities, especially through its Office for Access & Accommodations and well-developed community programs.

Physical Navigation: Southern Illinois University Carbondale's campus is mostly flat and easy to get around. Paved paths connect most academic buildings, dorms, and recreation areas, though some older buildings may be harder to access.

Class buildings are grouped around central quads, so most classes are 5-15 minutes apart.
Dorms are spread across the West, East, and Campus Drive areas, all connected by sidewalks.
Outdoor areas like Campus Lake Trail and Saluki Stadium have accessible paths.

Most Buildings Include:

Ramps, elevators, and automatic doors are in newer or updated buildings.
Accessible bathrooms on main floors.
Classrooms and labs usually allow wheelchair access, but older lecture halls may need planning.

Environmental Factors:

Snow and ice in the winter can make rolling harder.
Older buildings may have steps or uneven entrances.
Construction can temporarily block accessible routes.

Accessible Living: Southern Illinois University Carbondale provides accessible housing designed for students with physical or medical needs. The university works through its Office for Access & Accommodations (OAA) to match students with rooms that meet their specific requirements. Early requests are strongly recommended, as availability is limited.

Housing Options:

Residence Halls: Accessible rooms are available in West Campus/Thompson Point, Wall & Grand Apartments, and Evergreen Terrace, including both traditional and suite-style layouts.
Apartment-Style Housing: Selected apartments have roll-in showers, wider doorways, and lowered fixtures to accommodate mobility devices.
Single Rooms & Special Requests: Students with medical needs, mobility issues, or emotional support animals can request single rooms or rooms specifically modified for their needs.

Room Features & Accessibility:

Roll-in or adapted showers and accessible bathrooms.
Wider doorways and maneuvering space for wheelchairs.
Adjustable furniture and beds for mobility needs.

How it Works:

Students must apply for housing online first through the SIU My Housing Portal.
Then they submit a housing accommodation request to OAA with supporting documentation from a medical or qualified professional.
OAA reviews the request and works with University Housing to monitor room selections to match approved accessibility needs.
Decisions are individualized - a diagnosis alone doesn't guarantee specific features; the accommodations must be clearly linked to functional needs.

Campus Transportation: Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers multiple transportation options, including campus buses and local transit, with accessible features built in. Transportation helps fill gaps when distances, weather, or fatigue make getting around harder.

Saluki Express (Campus Bus System):

The main bus system serves the campus and the surrounding Carbondale area.
Buses are wheelchair accessible with lifts/ramps.
Covers key areas such as residence halls, academic buildings, the Student Center, and off-campus housing.
Runs on a set schedule with frequent stops during weekdays.

Paratransit Services:

Available through the Rides Mass Transit District for eligible students.
Offers door-to-door service for those who cannot use fixed bus routes.
Must be approved through the eligibility process (often coordinated with OAA).

Transportation at SIU is accessible and useful, especially the Saluki Express buses, but students may still need to plan for timing, weather, and limited late-night service.

What Makes This Campus Stand Out?

Access Inclusive Recreation

SIU has a dedicated AIR program that provides one-on-one support for students with disabilities in the Rec Center. Instead of just offering access, staff help students learn how to use equipment, modify workouts, and build personalized fitness plans, which many schools don't offer.

Structured Disability Services

The Office for Access & Accommodations offers a wide range of services, including testing, housing, assistive tech, and lab support. The system is very organized and consistent, with clear processes for getting and using accommodations each semester.

Easy to Navigate Campus

Compared to many universities, SIU's campus is mostly flat with short distances between buildings, making daily movement easier for wheelchair users. Key areas, such as classes, housing, and dining, are connected by paved, accessible paths.

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Adaptive Sports

At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, adaptive sports are handled through inclusive recreation rather than formal teams. The focus is on helping students access the Rec Center and participate in activities that are not on running competitive wheelchair athletics programs.

Access Inclusive Recreation (AIR) Program:

SIU's main adaptive program is Access Inclusive Recreation (AIR).
Designed for students who need help using equipment, joining activities, or feeling comfortable in the Rec Center.
Includes one-on-one support from staff and help learning to use adaptive or standard fitness equipment.

Student Recreation Center:

Large 214,000 sq ft facility.
Includes basketball/volleyball courts, an indoor track and pool, and weight rooms.
Equipment areas are spacious enough for mobility devices, and AIR staff can help adapt workouts to accommodate them.
Includes options like hand bikes and resistance equipment.

Intramural Sports:

Run through SIU's Competitive Sports Office in the Rec Center.
Sports change with the seasons, but examples include flag football, kickball, dodgeball, disc golf, cornhole, and spike ball.
played in leagues or short tournaments, not year-round teams.
Registration is through IMLeagues, and students can join as a team or free agent.
No dedicated adaptive leagues.
Staff can sometimes help, but it's not built specifically for wheelchair users.

Student Organizations

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has limited disability-specific student organizations, so most disability community and advocacy happen through campus offices and broader groups, rather than a large number of dedicated clubs.

Disability-Related Spaces & Groups:

SIU has hosted disability awareness events, panels, and advocacy initiatives, often supported by the Office for Access & Accommodations.
These are usually event-based rather than a permanent, active club.

Office for Access & Accommodations (OAA) Community Support:

While not student run, OAA helps connect students with disabilities and may promote peer support, resources, and involvement opportunities.
Students often rely on OAA for community-building and advocacy support.

Intersectionality Project (partially disability related):

Focuses on overlapping identities, including disability.
Provides space for discussion, advocacy, and inclusion, though not disability-only.

Medical Access

Southern Illinois University Carbondale provides on-campus medical services through its Student Health Center, as well as access to full-service hospitals in the Carbondale area.

Student Health Center (SHC):

Primary care visits (illness, injuries, chronic condition check-ins).
Same-day or next-day appointments for urgent issues.
Lab services (bloodwork, in-house testing).
Women's health (birth control, exams).
Vaccinations and physicals.

On-Site Pharmacy:

Students can fill prescriptions immediately after appointments.
Handles common medications and refills.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) in the same system:

Individual counseling, crisis support, and referrals.

Nearby Hospitals:

SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale (5 minutes from campus).
SIH Herrin Hospital (15 minutes from campus).
SIH St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro (10 minutes from campus).

Disability Services (OAA)

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Office for Access & Accommodations (OAA) provides structured, school-wide support to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to academics, housing, and campus life. It is well developed and detailed in how accommodations are set up, but students are expected to manage their services each semester actively.

Academic Accommodations:

Alternative testing (Must be scheduled 1-5 days in advance, depending on exam type).
Peer notetakers or access to lecture capture software.
Flexible attendance & assignment extensions for medical conditions (approved case-by-case).
Alternative format materials (PDF, e-text, screen reader compatible).

Assistive Technology & Academic Support:

Free access to assistive software and tools.
Consolations for choosing and using technology.
Possible equipment loans in some cases.

Physical & Classroom Support:

Lab assistants for students with mobility needs.
Help navigate accessible course materials and classroom setups.
Coordination with professors to adjust course access without changing core requirements.

Housing & Campus Coordination:

OAA works directly with housing.
Accessible dorms and room notifications.
Single rooms or private bathrooms (when medically necessary).
Support for service and emotional support animals.

How the Process Works:

Students must submit documentation and meet with an OAA coordinator.
Use the OAA student portal each semester to send accommodation letters to professors.
Schedule services (like testing) themselves.
Accommodations are not automatic - students must request and manage them.

Contact Information:

Phone: (618) 453 - 5738
Location: Student Health Center 220
Website: OAA

Available Scholarships

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers a large amount of scholarship funding (over $20 million annually), but there are very few scholarships specifically for disabilities. Most students with disabilities receive funding through general merit or donor scholarships, rather than disability-specific awards.

Hope and Opportunity Scholarship Fund:

Open to all students, including those with disabilities.
Specifically mentions "underrepresented populations" and financial need.
Considers academics, involvement on campus, and personal backgrounds or barriers.
Disability is not required, but it can strengthen your application if you discuss it in your essays.

Donor-Funded Scholarships (Through Saluki Scholarship Portal):

SIU offers 600+ donor-funded scholarships through one application system.
Some may indirectly support students with disabilities by considering medical challenges or life obstacles.

How the Saluki Scholarship Portal Works: The Saluki Scholarship Portal uses one application to match you with many SIU scholarships. You submit your academic information, activities and short essays, and the system automatically connects you to opportunities you qualify for, with some requiring extra questions. There's no specific disability category , so you need to include your experiences in your essays. Awards are given in the spring, and you must reapply each year.