August 21, 2024
K-State enhancing accessibility, safety across campus
The Division of Facilities has been making improvements over the last several months to ensure our 161-year-old Manhattan campus is both accessible and safe for students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The accessibility enhancements include adding wayfinding signs near accessible building entrances, installing curb cuts around campus and eliminating tripping hazards on campus sidewalks. The work aligns with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, guidelines and supports the university's and the Kansas Board of Regents' initiatives to address ADA or code issues.
The division also has collaborated with the Student Governing Association, or SGA, to identify and prioritize ADA opportunities in Manhattan campus buildings. Currently, more than 85 percent of the buildings on the Manhattan campus have an accessible entrance, many of which are power-assisted. Plans are in place for all buildings to have an accessible entry and restroom in the next few years.
"This work is extremely important because it has a direct and positive impact on the experiences students with disabilities have on our campus," said Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson, director of K-State's Student Access Center. "These changes also positively impact the way all people interact with campus. We'll continue to take steps necessary to advocate for accommodations so that our campus is accessible to all."
In addition to increasing accessible entrances, the Division of Facilities has also completed the following:
- Post signs installed at buildings between Anderson Avenue and Claflin Road to help with wayfinding: 116.
- Curb cuts installed around campus to provide wheelchair access: 67.
An additional 1,500 linear feet of sidewalk improvements during the second round of enhancements is expected to start in May 2025.
"We are committed to making these improvements and making sure our campus is accessible to all our students, faculty and staff," said Casey Lauer, associate vice president of facilities. "The Campus Master Plan also will address accessibility issues, including assigning ratings to our buildings to guide our decisions and investments moving forward related to entrances, restrooms, elevators and interior signage."
Facilities also has been engaged in a number of safety projects that were completed before students and faculty returned to campus on Aug. 19.
Those projects included ensuring the blue light phone boxes and exterior walk lights located across campus are operational, repainting cross walks, installing dedicated pedestrian signals at Bertrand and Old Claflin roads and replacing numerous sidewalks.
"Whether it's maintenance or new installs, this work is fundamental to keeping our campuses safe and accessible for everyone," Lauer said. "It's an ongoing process because we're always looking at ways to improve and enhance the experience of our students, faculty and visitors."