UK Leaders Take Accessibility Tour of Campus

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 29, 2013) ― For University of Kentucky students, employees or visitors with permanent or temporary disabilities, especially those using wheelchairs, negotiating the UK campus can be a challenge at times.  In an effort to better understand what they face, a group of UK administrators, student leaders and others participated in an accessibility review of campus Wednesday, March 27.

The group included, among others, UK President Eli Capilouto, Vice President for Facilities Management Bob Wiseman, Vice President of Student Affairs Robert Mock, Dean of Students Victor Hazard, current Student Government President Stephen Bilas, incoming Student Government President Roshan Palli, Staff Senate Chair Mike Adams, University Senate Council Chair Lee Blonder, and Disability Resource Center Director Jake Karnes.  The tour was organized at the recommendation of Andrea Strassburg, patient clerical assistant in UK HealthCare's Department of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Services and a member of the Mayor's Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.

The group toured campus viewing 20 sites considered issues with regard to accessibility.  They ranged from cracked pavement and sidewalks with utility poles blocking access, to buildings with limited wheelchair accessibility.

Vice President for Facilities Mangement Bob Wiseman told the group that some of the utility poles obstructing sidewalks will be removed as new construction will result in underground power lines, especially in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard.  He also said many of the rough pavement areas will be repaired during routine maintenance.

"We do between $200,000 and $300,000 in concrete and asphalt repair each year," Wiseman said. "That work will begin after the cold weather is over."

Two buildings with considerable usage by the public, Memorial Hall and the Singletary Center for the Arts, were seen as especially in need of improvements to make them more accommodating to users with disabilities. 

Although the Singletary Center has an accessible entrance, it is not located at the vehicle drop-off point in front of the building.  Upon entering the center from the drop-off entrance, visitors are required to take stairs to access the Concert or Recital Halls.  Wiseman said a chair lift will soon be installed in that front staircase to assist visitors in wheelchairs.

Used for classes as well as programs open to the public,  Memorial Hall, has accessible entry at the side of the building, but it does not have an elevator.  The side entry provides access to the main theater but not to bathrooms and dressing rooms located on the lower level of the building.  Also, the building is used by groups for graduation and award ceremonies, however the stage is not handicapped accessible.

"Memorial Hall has been evaluated and a plan designed to improve accessibility, including adding an elevator," Wiseman said.  "When funding is available, we will be in a position to move on that project."

As the budget permits, UK works toward making accessibility improvements on campus.  Areas and buildings heavily used by students and the public are given priority when possible.

“Before I arrived, an independent analysis concluded that we have considerable work to improve ADA access across campus,” President Capilouto said. “As we continue our revitalization effort, we will identify the necessary investments to ensure our campus family and community can take full advantage of the resources we offer.”