As many of you may have noticed, there has been a temporary metal ramp outside of Eastlake, and you might have wondered what it was for. Eastlake’s previous ramp was found to be a few degrees out of ADA code, which meant it was not accessible for many students and visitors who rely on it. After this issue was identified, DSU raised the issue to the school board, advocating for a solution that would better support accessibility on campus. DSU’s goal was to ensure everyone at and around Eastlake can safely and comfortably access our building.
This summer, Eastlake will begin constructing the ramp, which is expected to be finished before the upcoming school year begins. The new concrete ramp will be built in the same location as the last one, but will have several important improvements. It will be wider allowing for 2 ways of traffic, making it easier for multiple people to be able to use it at once. In addition to this, the slope will be less steep, which will make it safer and more manageable to use it for wheelchair users, people will mobility aids, or anyone who needs a more gradual of an incline to walk up.
The new ramp will now meet ADA standards and will be fully accessible to disabled and non-disabled students, staff and visitors. This step shows a change toward making our school more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for everyone around Eastlake. Improvements like this help ensure that all students have equal access to their education and school spaces.
