Accessibility for disabled high on university's priorities

Several changes are in place to make Ohio University's campus more accessible for those with disabilities.

Upcoming projects include a $250,000 effort to even out the slopes and fix gaps on College Green's walkways, $50,000 for handicapped bathrooms in Peden Stadium, $50,000 for various small projects such as adding automatic doors to buildings and $250,000 to create a ramp entrance for Cutler Hall. University planners are also discussing an elevator for Haning Hall.

It's a matter of how far we can stretch our funds to have the greatest impact on the most people

said Harry Wyatt, associate vice president for Facilities.

Although many buildings on campus were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, they are required to comply with the policy if a renovation over a 12-month period reaches 50 percent or more of the building's value, said Director Of Disability Services Jesse Raney.

The priority for access to buildings is making sure entrances and classrooms can be easily reached, Wyatt said.

The goal here is not about avoiding a citation for compliance. ... It's to make campus accessible one way or another he added.

There are several means for disputing compliance, said Nicolette Dioguardi, associate director of Legal Affairs. A complaint can be filed with the Ohio Department of Education, which would then discuss it with the school. The individual can also sue over discrimination, seeking either money or that the problem be fixed, ask for backing from a civil rights group or discuss it internally.

Yes we want someone to come forward to say

'I can't get into building X. Why not? I want to get into building X

' she said.

The university is currently recreating the president's advisory committee on disability to do more self-assessment on what changes to campus should be made. The group will include members from several different university offices, Raney said.

Everyone who has a vested interest in accessibility wants to see what's best for the university

Raney said.

College Green is being fixed as well because some trip over the deteriorating bricks and feel the path's uneven sloping can be difficult, Wyatt said.

The complaint

which is a matter of interpretation

is that College Green is not internally accessible from the buildings

Wyatt said.

Not all additions are spurred by complaints, Dioguardi said; some are pushed forward by requests for change.

No one said there absolutely has to be a ramp at Cutler Hall

but we determined one of our main buildings was not accessible

she said. Granted