Room: D137-138

Audience: Architects

Call to Action: Participants will be sent forth with a call to utilize information shared in this session to closely examine architectural plans for new facilities as well as renovation projects with a watchful eye to recognize and remove barriers inhibiting students with disabilities from gaining access to an equal learning and extracurricular activity experience as the general population.

Abstract: Designing accessible and equitable learning environments that amplify the potential and support the well-being and learning journey of students with disabilities allows them to excel and be productive during their educational years and beyond. Ensuring accessibility for all school children through compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a noble goal, but how is this accomplished when financial resources are limited? What are the priorities? What are the ramifications of non-compliance with state and federal access standards? In this informative session, participants will learn where to spend dollars on ADA facility upgrades when dollars are tight and how to address the needs of all students, including underserved groups, protecting schools from complaints and lawsuits. Beginning with a very brief history of the ADA, the session quickly segues into identifying the key access areas on school campuses. Citing both Department of Justice established priorities and actual campus related complaints/lawsuits, it will become clear where resources should be directed when fulfilling their continual barrier removal obligation. This presentation addresses the disruptive forces of social injustice surrounding physical and attitudinal barriers students with disabilities experience in schools today. Information will be shared that creates an optimistic and more effective future for this population by providing creative design solutions to address access barriers, opening doors that previously were closed to students with disabilities. A question-and-answer session will allow attendees to clarify many of their questions and concerns, both technical and otherwise, with a true expert in the field of accessibility compliance.

Learning Objectives:

1. Apply a more creative approach to accessible design that focuses on exceeding minimum standards.
2. Assess a school facility and identify where greater access in the educational environment is most beneficial and readily achievable.
3. Apply a cost-effective approach to accessible design.
4. Gain an understanding of which state and federal accessibility codes pertain to schools and about Department of Justice established priorities that clarify where resources should be directed when fulfilling continual barrier removal obligations.