Forest Finally Made Handicapped Accessible, Accomodates ADA Offices

Author: Ian Fleishman

The office for the American Disabilities Act (ADA) will move to Forest Hall this summer. It will move from its current location in Hathaway House, which will be taken by the Financial Aid office. This change is one of numerous other office relocations set to take place at the College before the beginning of the next school year.
According to Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson, the decision to move the ADA office "is based on some recommendations that were made a few years ago by a diversity committee that was working with Associate Provost Roman Graf." The relocation will place the office with the rest of the Student Affairs Division.
Going along with this change, Forest Hall will become more handicapped accessible. Hanson continued, "Forest Hall basement is currently accessible. The first floor will also be made accessible to accommodate this change. This means that students confined to a wheel chair will also be able to have access to the Registrar's office and the Dean of Student Affairs Office." Middlebury College is in compliance with the American Disabilities Act, but Associate Dean of Student Affairs Marichal Gentry said that the College is "always trying to do things to improve the campus" and make it more accessible. The building projects currently taking place around campus are proceeding with the American Disabilities Act in mind.
The relocation of the ADA office technically occurs on July 1, but according to Gentry, who will be working with the office during the change, it is important that the office be accessible during the summer language programs. Therefore the change may not be complete until the end of the summer language schools.
Also not finalized are the plans to make the first floor of Forest more accessible. A ramp for wheelchairs will be built, most likely near the Adirondack House, to allow access to Forest West. Certain doors may need to be widened as well.
The ADA deals with both physical disabilities and learning disabilities and the services are confidential. Confidentiality will be guaranteed in the new space as well, assured Gentry.
Gentry emphasized that the ADA office provides a very important student service and that "it just makes sense" to have it located near the rest of Student Affairs.