Source: Dan Richardson, 913-541-1220, dcrichar@k-state.edu,
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/drichardsonbio.html
Website: http://olathe.k-state.edu
Photos available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/may11/527richardson.jpg and
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/may11/527k-stateolathe.jpg
News release prepared by: Mary Lou Peter, 913-307-7314, mlpeter@k-state.edu

Friday, May 27, 2011

DESIGN EXCELLENCE: K-STATE OLATHE, DESIGN-BUILD PARTNERS EARN CIVIC RECOGNITION FOR ACCESSIBLE DESIGN OF NEW CAMPUS BUILDING

OLATHE -- Kansas State University Olathe's Chief Executive Officer Dan Richardson and K-State Olathe's design-build partners are being honored for the accessible design of the first building on the campus, the International Animal Health and Food Safety Institute.

K-State Olathe, DesignSense Inc., 360 Architects and Weitz Construction were given the Community Accessibility Award for public, private or civic entities by the city of Olathe's Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board. The award was one of several presented at the eighth Annual Community Awards Program, May 26, in the Council Chamber at Olathe City Hall.

"We worked with the Olathe Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board to go beyond ADA compliance," Richardson said. "Because of that process, this is a more accessible and welcoming building for all. We're honored to receive this award recognizing those efforts."

Some features of the K-State Olathe building include podiums that are universally designed to allow wheelchair access, wider doorways, contrasting colors between floors, walls and furniture to aid those that are visually challenged, and family restrooms.

K-State Olathe celebrated the grand opening of the building April 26.