David Stoner

Beginning Reporting

3/19/2015

Article 3

The Student Life Center at University of South Florida –St. Petersburg (USFSP) will undergo a retrofit and remodeling, including the addition of new automatic doors, widening bathroom facilities, and the construction of a new handicap ramp. The Student Life Center is located on Sixth Avenue South across the street from the school’s University Student Center. The Student Life Center was constructed more than two decades ago. Accessibility problems include difficult access to the automatic door, which is at the side entrance. The door-opening button is located too far to the right of the entrance. Given its location, it is difficult to find and to use from the front of the building.

The objective of the renovation is two-fold: To bring the building into compliance with American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, and to make it easier for students and faculty with disabilities to have full access to campus facilities. Moreover, these renovations will move handicap entrances to more adjacent positions relative to the regular entrance.

Plans for this retrofit were started by the Physical Accessibility Workgroup (PAW), which was formed in 2013 amid increasing pressure to comply with standards set by the ADA. Barry McDowell, the University’s Assistant Director of Disability Services, states “The PAW committee is charged with developing a plan identifying barriers to equal access and recommends action steps and priorities for the removal of the barriers. These barriers can be physical or even electronic.” McDowell also adds that “The entrances will make life easier not just for those with disabilities, but for the general population as well. It’s useful for the whole population, not just people with disabilities.”

The renovations are scheduled to start summer of 2015 and are expected to be completed in time for the fall semester. ���6Ԓw