UWG News Archive

ADA projects

December 19, 2003

CARROLLTON, GA - Recently the University of West Georgia completed projects totaling a half million dollars for improving campus facilities for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

According to Lynn Agan, director of campus planning and development, the Georgia Building Authority (GBA) visited the campus and identified needed improvements in accordance with the University’s ADA transition plan. Two separate allocations from the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission (GSFIC) funded a majority of the projects.

Improvements included such projects as restroom renovations, hardware for doors, parking, sidewalk and curb renovations, signage, ramps, handrails, drinking fountains, and remodeling of one elevator.

Tim Bromley, state ADA architect, was extremely impressed with West Georgia’s diligence to implement the alterations.

“Lynn Agan and his staff assisted the state in stretching the funding by completing a great deal of the necessary work with campus staff rather than contracting it out,” he said. “This is a testimony to any state agency or University to work in this manner. As one of the larger campuses in the state, they did the work that needed to be done. Now West Georgia has something they can be proud of.”

Completing the projects is not the end of the process, Agan pointed out.

“We work with our Student Development Office and annually determine new needs according to the student population,” Agan noted. “Our operation and maintenance budget is very limited in making accommodations not funded by GBA but we do what we can because it’s just the right thing to do.”

An example of campus funded improvements is the repaving of sidewalks in the quad area of campus. The cracked pavement presents a hazard for students in wheelchairs and for the visually impaired.

Dr. Ann Phillips, counselor in UWG’s Student Development Office, said she and Shannon Nahri, co-coordinator for disabled students, work hand in hand with Facilities for a safe environment for anyone with disabilities.

“Lynn and his whole staff are so responsive to needs, not only for students but for faculty and staff as well,” she pointed out. “We’ve always followed policy but when there are immediate needs, such as temporary construction site crossings, Lynn’s folks go right to work on it.”

Jamie Shirey, construction project superintendent, and Lillie Nixon, office manager, oversee all ADA projects and make certain the University is in compliance with the expenditure of funds. In 1999, UWG received $392,031 and another $109,790 in 2002.

“Without their skills, hard work, dedication and ability to manage the many projects involved in making these critical improvements to our facilities we wouldn’t have been able to complete them in such a timely manner. They have done a fantastic job of making this happen,” said Agan.

Agan noted that currently Tyus Hall is the only residence hall with ADA accommodations. In the new student housing under construction, a total of 38 rooms will be ADA accessible.

UWG student Edwin Powell is blind and gets around campus in a wheelchair with the assistance of his guide dog, Rasta. He lives in Tyus Hall and chose UWG for a purpose.

“I came to West Georgia because the University is so far advanced with the services it provides to support disabled students,” he said.

Agan noted that Facilities personnel worked with Powell to make certain his residence hall room accommodated his needs.

Agan pointed out that the University would continue to request money to make improvements as regulations change and students come to campus with new needs.

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