Making The Halls Of Ivy Fully Accessible
MayorBob.
Posted to Politics on Wed Jul 26, 2006 at 03:00:19 PM EST. RSS.
Most college campuses don't proactively comply with standards of accessibility required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Usually a blind eye is turned to the issue except in cases where new facilities are being built or official complaints are lodged. But, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) pays attention and they have been pressing a number of colleges to review and agree to meet these standards. The first of these schools, the University of Chicago (UChicago), entered into an out-of-court settlement which may be the first in a series of with schools around the nation.
The agreement is based upon a compliance review of Title III of the ADA. It gives the school four years to accomplish a series of improvements to facilities and provide regular progress reports to the DOJ. Among the tasks required by the agreement are:
Both the DOJ and UChicago officials made it clear that the review was not brought on by any specific complain from any student or member of the school staff. However, according to Cynthia Magnuson from the DOJ civil rights division institutions are chosen for review when "we're aware of certain problems" and that the review process "is not random." Magnuson also indicated that as many as ten other schools were currently under review but that UChicago's review was the first one completed. What will this cost UChicago? School spokesperson William Harms said:Changing elements of facilities -- including doors, restrooms, signage and entrances -- that act as barriers for people with disabilities.
Ensuring that all buildings and facilities in which programs are offered to the public and students meet accessibility standards.
Creating systems for changing facilities or moving events if a person with a disability registers for an event.
Reviewing and possibly changing evacuation procedures and transportation services.
Ensuring that 3 percent of units (and adjoining bathrooms) in dormitories are accessible to people with disabilities and that a "reasonable number" of housing units have first floor common areas and bathrooms that could be used by visitors with disabilities.
"We don't know at this time how much this will cost. The agreement lays out a roadmap, part of which includes surveying campus buildings for deficiencies. That process is ongoing."The DOJ's new interest in compliance with the ADA is something college campuses would do well to pay attention to, according to Sheldon Steinbach from the American Council on Education. He believes this might be a sign the government is going to "more aggressively enforce ADA." He indicated that older schools and those in urban areas are the ones "particularly vulnerable" to facing very high costs to pay for needed changes.
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