Provost Memo to Students with Disabilities

To: Students with Disabilities at Ohio State 
From: Dr. Edward J. Ray, Executive Vice President & Provost 
Date: January 29, 1999 
I would like to summarize the main points of our discussion and 
highlight the actions to be taken. 
You have brought several important matters to my attention 
involving the equality of services for students with 
disabilities, particularly transportation services. The COTA 
referendum vote begins a contract negotiation process between the 
University and COTA to define the nature and scope of 
transportation services for the next five years for all of our 
students. You have asked for consideration of the needs of 
students with disabilities. The main avenue for input in the 
contract process is through the Ohio State/COTA Advisory 
Committee. Pat Hall, acting ADA coordinator, is committed to 
assuring that you have appropriate input to that committee. You 
have asked us to express to COTA the need for accessible 
materials, a straight-forward and efficient Mainstream 
application process similar to Ohio State's process, and 
scheduling improvements supportive of student's academic and non-
academic needs. Most immediately, we will bring these issues to 
COTA's attention. For the long-term, we are committed to pursuing 
for students with disabilities the same travel capabilities 
within the same timeframe through some combination of COTA and 
OSU-provided services. 
The attached document details current Ohio State transportation 
services as well as proposed service enhancements. You have 
agreed to work with us in publicizing the additional services. 
Immediate and continuing communication efforts will include 
flyers in Handivans, Lantern advertisements, web-page 
modifications, new service brochures, and other publicity 
efforts. 
Your expressed concern about access to the Administration was, I 
hope, answered by the presence of Pat Hall at our meeting. Pat 
will continue to be available to you and will respond to your 
concerns. Sarah Blouch, director of Transportation & Parking 
Services, has agreed to meet with you to ensure that 
transportation concerns on campus as well as off campus are 
addressed. Pat will report directly to the Provost's Office as we 
work through the immediate transportation issues and broader 
disability concerns. Pat Hall will work with Ann Yurcisin and the 
Office of Disability Services to assure timely and effective 
communication of needed information to students. 
Today's dialogue was positive and productive. You have my 
commitment to be available and responsive to these and other very 
important concerns.