Rockwood Increases ADA Access to Playgrounds
Date Posted: February 22, 2024
Posted In: News, Organizations, People,
From West Newsmagazine: Seven playgrounds at elementary schools across Rockwood are getting improvements so students in wheelchairs can have more access to them during recess. The effort began last summer before the school year started when Dr. Cassandra Suggs took over the role as the director of the district’s new Educational Equity and Access department. Suggs reached out and visited every school and asked administrators what they needed in terms of equity and access for all students.
When Suggs visited Fairway Elementary she said the Principal Dr. Lorinda Krey told her about a student named Loralei who uses a wheelchair and how it was a priority of the school building to get her easier access to the equipment on the playground. The school’s PTO had already funded basketball stands, two adapted swings and a gate for the gaga ball pit. But she still had an issue crossing the mulch on the playground in her wheelchair on her own. Suggs said Fairway wasn’t the only elementary school bringing up this issue.
Suggs started a spreadsheet for all of Rockwood’s elementary schools to collect similar access needs. Then, she enlisted the help of Director of Special Education Dr. Carmen Harris, Coordinator of Special Education Dr. Jamie Smith, Director of Facilities Chris Freund and Coordinator of Maintenance and Ground Services Bill Branson to walk the schools with her and collaborate on possible solutions.
“They came up with this interlocking system of soft rubber mats to place over the mulch,” Suggs said. “It should never be that a child can’t enjoy recess with their classmates. One of my main goals (when moving to this position) was to make an immediate impact on children in a positive way.”
The new mats have also been installed on Blevins and Woerther’s playgrounds, with the others to follow soon. In the meantime, Loralei is enjoying her increased access to more areas of the playground at Fairway.
“It feels like I can be a normal kid, go play gaga and hang out with my friends at recess,” Loralei said. “I’ve had so much fun. It’s been amazing.”