2008 Woodie Awards
New dorms more accessible to all
By Rachel Seeman
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 11/18/05 Section: News
Accessibility for individuals with disabilities is an issue Slippery Rock University will improve with the new residence halls.
"I'm sure (the current residence halls) are all up to code, but they don't have all the bells and whistles (the new residence halls) do," Paul Lipchak of WTW Architects, who is currently working on the new residence halls, said of the current halls.
In designing the new residence halls, Lipchak said they must comply with two laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal Housing Administration, which set requirements for accessibility.
For example, the ADA requires that for every inch a ramp inclines, it must be 12 inches long and that 2 percent of all parking spaces in a parking lot be accessible.
The International Code Council, International Building Code and American National Standard Index are additional guidelines but are not mandatory, he said.
"Seems like everyone is trying to update their housing as mandated by the state," Lipchak said.
He said he has previously worked on housing projects for Lock Haven University, Clarion University and now Indiana University of Pennsylvania and SRU.
Diana Helt, a therapeutic recreation major at SRU, uses a wheelchair to get around campus.
"It's quite a pain (getting around campus)," Helt said. "I work and take a lot of classes in West Gym. At this point, Founders Hall is the only accessible dorm. Most of the other dorms have stairs. I can't visit my friends in other dorms like mostly everyone else is able to."
The ADA states that if there is a financial, programmatic or administrative burden when making a building accessible, the organization doesn't have to follow all the guidelines.
Colleen Cooke, associate professor of parks and recreation/environment education explained that the improvements do not have to be made if there is not enough money. If programs would be affected or the staff that makes the accommodations cannot be found, they are not required to make the accommodations.
"I'm sure (the current residence halls) are all up to code, but they don't have all the bells and whistles (the new residence halls) do," Paul Lipchak of WTW Architects, who is currently working on the new residence halls, said of the current halls.
In designing the new residence halls, Lipchak said they must comply with two laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal Housing Administration, which set requirements for accessibility.
For example, the ADA requires that for every inch a ramp inclines, it must be 12 inches long and that 2 percent of all parking spaces in a parking lot be accessible.
The International Code Council, International Building Code and American National Standard Index are additional guidelines but are not mandatory, he said.
"Seems like everyone is trying to update their housing as mandated by the state," Lipchak said.
He said he has previously worked on housing projects for Lock Haven University, Clarion University and now Indiana University of Pennsylvania and SRU.
Diana Helt, a therapeutic recreation major at SRU, uses a wheelchair to get around campus.
"It's quite a pain (getting around campus)," Helt said. "I work and take a lot of classes in West Gym. At this point, Founders Hall is the only accessible dorm. Most of the other dorms have stairs. I can't visit my friends in other dorms like mostly everyone else is able to."
The ADA states that if there is a financial, programmatic or administrative burden when making a building accessible, the organization doesn't have to follow all the guidelines.
Colleen Cooke, associate professor of parks and recreation/environment education explained that the improvements do not have to be made if there is not enough money. If programs would be affected or the staff that makes the accommodations cannot be found, they are not required to make the accommodations.
