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In 1977, Nathan Forrest Stout came to campus with a simple question about whether there was a place for a wheelchair user in geology. The answer was yes — but access at the time depended on support from his peers rather than an accessible built environment. 

“There was no field trip Nate had to miss,” professor Dave Weide wrote in a geoscience newsletter. “His fellow students and I saw to that, by carrying Nate wherever he needed to go!” Including between the floors of the Lilly Fong Geoscience building. 

That workaround was not sustainable — Weide got a hernia — and eventually an elevator was added to the geoscience building. 

After graduation, Stout went on to serve the geoscience department for 14 years and passed away in 2005. The elevator is now named the Nate Stout Memorial Elevator, a testament to perseverance and community as well as the need for accessible infrastructure.

His story shows how accessibility at ���ӽ紫ý has evolved, shaped by decades of work that responds to changing standards and community needs. Recent projects reflect a consistent focus on improving infrastructure, including better routes, building access, and circulation in physical spaces, as well as new standards for digital access.

PAC Stairs and Ramps Project (2025-26)

Construction is underway on a new ramp connecting the Performing Arts Center (PAC) plaza to the Academic Mall, addressing a long-standing gap in accessible circulation through the campus core.

The old route relied on stairs and steep grade changes. Now a gently sloped, ADA-compliant pathway will improve access between two heavily used areas of campus. The project includes new seating, lighting, landscaping, and signage.

Work on the PAC stairs and ramps project began in July and is expected to be completed this week. Once finished, the ramp will provide an accessible path for everyone, including individuals using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. 

Read more about the PAC stairs project.

Pathway Maintenance to Reduce Fall Risk (2025)

Accessibility improvements also occur through routine maintenance projects.

In April 2025, ���ӽ紫ý Facilities Management completed pathway maintenance near the William D. Carlson Education Building and surrounding pedestrian areas. The work involved removing and replacing sections of uneven concrete to reduce fall risk and improve walking conditions as well as wheelchair access.

“A lot of the concrete around campus is 30 to 50 years old,” says Edward Dechirico, a facilities supervisor with Facilities Management. “Over time they crack, lift from tree roots growing under them, heavy machinery driving over them, et cetera. We are being proactive and fixing these hazards to make sure people are safe and to avoid potential liability in the future. 

He estimates that Facilities Management has replaced about 25,000 square feet of concrete in the past three years and plans to complete another 5,000 by year's end. 

“I like to see positive results, and knowing the work we're doing is making the campus a little safer makes me proud of my team.”

Advanced Engineering Building Built with Accessibility in Mind (2022-24)

All campus buildings are built to ADA accessibility standards at the time they are constructed. The Advanced Engineering Building (AEB)’s design reflects current standards and additional accessible features beyond basic requirements. 

“Managing this project allowed me to think intentionally about how accessibility shapes everyday campus experiences,” says Patrick Castellano, the university’s director of design and associate university architect. “A key priority for me was ensuring that accessibility was treated as an integral part of the building, not an afterthought.”

This three-story facility includes elevator access to all floors, wide interior corridors, and clearly defined circulation paths connecting classrooms, labs, makerspaces, and collaborative areas. The building is also connected to the Thomas T. Beam Engineering Complex via a second-floor skybridge, allowing users to move between facilities without navigating exterior grade changes.

Thomas & Mack Center Modernization (2015-16)

Earlier accessibility improvements at ���ӽ紫ý occurred in large-scale renovation projects like the modernization of the Thomas & Mack Center in 2015 and 2016. 

As part of this major renovation, the venue was upgraded with two new elevators and three new escalators. The project also expanded ADA-compliant seating and updated concourse layouts to better accommodate accessible routes.

These upgrades improved access for large public events, including athletic competitions, commencements, and concerts, bringing the facility into alignment with current ADA standards years after its original construction.

Growing a Culture and Infrastructure of Accessibility

These construction projects represent part of a broader evolution in how ���ӽ紫ý approaches accessibility — both physically and digitally.

��������’s Office of Accessibility Resources plays a central role in advancing access across campus by advising on inclusive design, ensuring accessible digital content, and supporting faculty, staff, and administrators in meeting accessibility standards. The office oversees a multi-phase accessibility plan aligned with policy and best practices for serving individuals with disabilities.

As part of this plan, ���ӽ紫ý maintains inclusive facilities campuswide:

• Accessible restrooms and family restrooms in academic and administrative buildings, many of which also include baby changing stations and all-gender designations.
• Automatic door openers, ramps, and elevators in major academic and library buildings, granting individuals of all mobility levels access to resources and study spaces on every floor.

These accessibility efforts placed ���ӽ紫ý among the Top 20 Wheelchair-Friendly Campuses in the United States, with a spotlight on relatively flat terrain, accessible doors, and inclusive outdoor spaces.

Digital Accessibility and Campus Policy

Accessibility extends beyond physical infrastructure into information and communication technologies. The university’s ICT Accessibility Policy requires that digital tools, learning materials, websites, and instructional platforms meet accessibility standards, enabling equitable access for students and employees who use assistive technologies.

That commitment is also reflected in programs that support accessibility awareness and implementation across campus. Through the Business Affairs Accessibility Ambassador Academy, employees can receive training on accessibility principles as they relate to digital content. The program builds internal expertise, helping staff identify potential barriers, apply accessibility standards in their daily work, and serve as informed points of contact within their units. 

Accessibility as Ongoing Campus Infrastructure

��������’s approach to accessibility has evolved: access is not an afterthought, but a foundational design principle in both physical and virtual environments. It is proactive, built into planning, construction, maintenance, and digital infrastructure from the beginning. This culture of accessibility improves life for everyone, so no one at ���ӽ紫ý has to ask, “Is there a place for me here?”

The answer is always: yes.