In an effort to make off-campus housing more accessible to students with disabilities, UVA’s Office of Off-Grounds Housing, Wade Apartments, Woodard Properties, and GrandMarc at the Corner have come together to help students pay for necessary apartment modifications.
According to UVA Today, each party contributed $500 towards a fund that will aid disabled students in purchasing devices like bed shakers, flashing door lights, bathroom rails and modified door frames.
In the past, students have resorted to paying for their own modifications, said Vickie Hawes, director of the Office of Off-Grounds Housing.
Hawes also noted that Student Council’s Diversity Initiatives Committee has been the driving force behind establishing this program. The Council revealed the program at its meeting on Tuesday, amidst the University’s Disabilities Awareness Week.
The Office of Off-Grounds Housing and Student Council committee anticipate other local landlords contributing to this fund in the future.