No, Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway didn't have an accident. The photo in Friday's Journal-World, showing Hemenway in a wheelchair was part of a learning-by-doing exercise.
Hemenway was in the wheelchair only for a day as part of a pre-arranged trading of roles between himself and KU student Jason Schrage, who is in a wheelchair every day as a result of a diving accident. While the student learned more about university administration, the chancellor learned a lot more about what it's like to get around campus in a wheelchair.
The obstacles he encountered -- a long ramp at the library, a broken automatic door opener at Wescoe Hall and other problems -- are something Schrage deals with every day. Some of these are small inconveniences; others are major roadblocks. All of these should be eliminated to allow people in wheelchairs and with other disabilities to fully participate in university classes and activities.
Congratulations to the chancellor for taking the time to get a firsthand look at where changes are needed. Hopefully, his to-do list will be acted on quickly and his own awareness of accessibility issues has been heightened.
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