You’ve seen me around Point Park’s campus in my power wheelchair, with my aide who happens to be my aunt. I’m Marcus Betts, a junior sports communications major at Point Park with cerebral palsy.

The odds have been stacked against me since birth, but that hasn’t stopped me yet.

After a treacherous tour of Point Park’s campus, I was ready to complete my application to Edinboro University. It was clear Point Park had not figured out how to accommodate a student with disabilities.

But it was a conversation with Bernie Ankney, the dean of the School of Communications, that changed my mind. He sold me on the potential of internships with local sports teams, masters degree programs, and broadcasting opportunities Point Park had to offer.

But I felt like the school partially went back on their promise, because there are still ever-present challenges with accessibility on campus.

Point Park has tried to make sure students with disabilities are involved within the academic programs, but that is where the effort stops.

I have quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy — the most severe form. It is characterized by high muscle tone affecting all four limbs, the trunk and sometimes the face. Thank God it spared my face; I am still good looking.

To cater to my disability, I have always had an IEP and customized accommodations.

On move-in day, my room was switched three different times before they finally found one that could accommodate my needs, despite knowing ahead of time what accommodations I would need.

In my dorm, I required additions such as an adjustable showerhead and toilet handrails. Although ADA compliant dorms exist on Point Park’s campus, I wasn’t given access to them.

And I am not the only student with a disability at Point Park.

While living in the dorms I met Grace Cross, a COPA student. Cross also requires a wheelchair to navigate campus.

While watching Cross’s performance ”Slowdown” — an experimental dance piece exploring disability and human relationships — I finally saw my own struggles reflected. Her performance laid bare the constant fear of inadequacy, the hidden self-doubt and the belief that others are disappointed because your body doesn’t work the way theirs does.

In one striking scene, Cross grappled with putting on a simple t-shirt, flipping it repeatedly before admitting they couldn’t see well enough to align it correctly.

I related instantly.

I wear my shirt backwards at least three times a week, whether because of rushing, visual impairment or the fabric catching around my neck.

These small, daily battles are rarely seen, let alone showcased. I admire Cross’s courage in bringing them to the stage.

Point Park is a difficult school to navigate for disabled students because of its vertical design. The inaccessibility of the campus is revealed in jammed doors, cramped elevators, and narrow halls. Not to mention the uneven sidewalks that surround the campus. Street trees, too, make it even harder to navigate around campus.

Every student with a disability should be afforded the same opportunities as their able-bodied peers.

Edinboro University, the school I nearly committed to, displays exemplary inclusivity toward students with disabilities.

Its on-call physical aids are readily available to help students with disabilities, and its campus is designed to be easily navigable for students with disabilities.

Besides that, Edinboro has gone the extra mile for disability inclusion by creating a wheelchair basketball team. Adding similar programs and accessibility features to Point Park would give students like me the opportunity to participate in more than just the academic side of college life.

While Point Park prioritizes helping students with mental disabilities, students with physical disabilities deserve a piece of the pie, too.

It is important to show students and families that they are valued within a university community.

It takes more than proper funding to solve problems like these; it takes an agreement from all sides involved — an agreement that a student’s trust will not be violated and their opinions will be respected and valued.