CAAR does not provide ongoing travel assistance. Upon request, we provide assistance to help you plan and learn accessible routes. Contact the CAAR office in advance if you need assistance. See Route Training.
Most NIU campus buildings are accessible. Check with CAAR for accessible routes, entrances, restrooms and elevators.
There are a few places on campus that are not accessible. If you need to take a class that is held in one of these places, contact the CAAR office as soon as you register and arrangements will be made to move the class. If you need to meet with a faculty/staff member who has an office in an inaccessible area, arrange to meet in an alternate site.
In the event of an emergency situation such as wheelchair or scooter breakdown, contact CAAR for assistance in getting to your classes. The FreedomMobile can help with class-to-class transportation and a CAAR employee will assist you if necessary. If assistance is needed for more than two days, you should seek volunteer assistance from friends, peers in your classes, etc.
The Huskie Bus Line runs throughout campus and some areas of the DeKalb community. The buses are accessible with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs. Preferential front seating is available to persons with severe mobility and/or visual disabilities.
The FreedomMobile is an accessible paratransit system that runs during the same hours as the Huskie buses. The FreedomMobile is an on-call door-to-door service throughout the DeKalb community. A person must meet the following criteria to be eligible to use the FreedomMobile:
Class-to-class transportation is not provided except for persons with severe mobility impairments or persons requiring special transportation due to a severe health condition. Class-to-class transportation is provided only during the period between Thanksgiving and Spring Break. Exceptions will be considered based on medical documentation. "Class-to-class Transportation Request Forms" need to be submitted to the SAMTB by established deadline dates. Eligibility for this service is determined through CAAR.
All eligible riders are given a "FreedomMobile Information and Policies" handbook. You are responsible for knowing and following these procedures. Consistent misuse of the FreedomMobile may result in suspension of service.