Within the next few weeks, the Student Association Mass Transit Board will conduct a survey of NIU’s handicapped students to get their input on the state of handicapped transportation on campus.

Two surveys were presented to the transit board at its meeting Monday night, but the board decided to use the longer survey. The longer version includes questions regarding the students’ class hours, class locations and their concerns about present and future handicapped transportation. The survey will be sent to every handicapped student on campus.

Robin Purdy-Lee, transit board graduate assistant, said the survey is “long overdue for handicapped and disabled students. We’re interested in finding out what complications there will be in the winter with (traveling through) the snow, and whether the students would use (wheelchair) pushers during the winter.”

Purdy-Lee said the transit board has the funds to provide a wheelchair push service in inclement weather. “With the large campus that we have, it’s hard for handicapped students to get around during the winter,” she said.

Handicapped transportation is provided on weekdays, but the Illinois Department of Transportation restricts day service to transportation to and from on-and off-campus locations. As a result, handicapped students might have to travel to classes on their own this winter.

Transit board member Susan Haas said “usually if you call in advance (the Voluntary Action Center asks) if it’s a medical appointment. If it’s not, you’d better call from two to three days in advance if you want a ride.”

Haas, a handicapped student, said she is pleased that handicapped students will “finally be able to give their opinions in writing.”

“I don’t know how (handicapped students) are going to get around this winter,” Haas said. “I’m kind of disappointed the board has waited this long (to conduct the survey). It’s getting cold already, and it’s only October.”