Snow and Ice Pose Accessibility Challenges for Disabled Ohio State Students

Disabled students faced obstacles getting around campus after a major winter storm hit Columbus.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A major snowstorm in Columbus, Ohio resulted in accessibility issues for disabled students at Ohio State University. Students with disabilities reported difficulties navigating campus due to poorly cleared sidewalks, crosswalks, and parking lots. Some students were forced to miss classes and activities because they couldn't safely get around. The university and city officials acknowledged the need to better prioritize accessibility during winter weather events.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing challenges that disabled students face in accessing public spaces, even at a major university like Ohio State. It raises awareness about the importance of comprehensive snow and ice removal to ensure equal access for all students, regardless of their mobility needs. The story also prompts discussions around disability rights, campus accessibility, and how institutions can better support their most vulnerable community members.

The details

After a weekend snowstorm dumped a foot of snow in Columbus, Ohio State University moved classes online for two days. When in-person classes resumed, disabled students reported significant accessibility issues around campus. Students using canes, walkers, and wheelchairs said cleared paths were often too narrow to navigate, and ramps and crosswalks were left uncleared. This forced some students to miss class and campus activities due to safety concerns. University officials acknowledged the need for improved coordination between different departments responsible for snow removal, but said the continuous snowfall made it difficult to keep up.

  • The snowstorm hit Columbus on the second weekend of the semester.
  • Ohio State moved classes online on January 26-27.
  • In-person classes resumed on January 28.

The players

August Tucker

A third-year earth sciences student and co-president of Buckeyes4Accessibility, a student organization focused on campus accessibility issues.

Code Beschler

A graduate student in the comparative studies program and co-president of Buckeyes4Accessibility, who uses a manual wheelchair.

Mo White

A fourth-year landscape architecture student who is disabled and relies on their car to get around campus.

Dan Hedman

A spokesperson for Ohio State University.

CampusParc

The company responsible for plowing parking lots and garage rooftops on Ohio State's campus.

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What they’re saying

“This big snowstorm is finally impacting abled people. That's when it becomes too much. That's when it's really bad. But every time it snows, it's like this.”

— August Tucker, Co-president of Buckeyes4Accessibility (thelantern.com)

“They've shoveled these sidewalks, but they haven't shoveled the sidewalk that takes you to the accessible entrance.”

— Code Beschler, Co-president of Buckeyes4Accessibility (thelantern.com)

“If you're clearing it just so people can get through, but you're not clearing all the way across the pathway, you are making it inaccessible. You end up losing six to eight inches off of the pathway that would be utilized by people in wheelchairs, by people who are not sighted that need to be able to feel the curbs.”

— Mo White, Fourth-year landscape architecture student (thelantern.com)

What’s next

Ohio State officials said they will review their snow removal protocols to identify areas for improvement in ensuring accessibility during winter weather events.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for institutions to proactively plan for and prioritize accessibility during extreme weather, rather than treating it as an afterthought. Disabled students deserve equal access to all campus resources and activities, and universities must do more to remove physical barriers and accommodate their unique needs.