The Pratt Accessibility Task Force was convened in 2015 and recommended hiring a consultant to evaluate campus accessibility. In 2016 United Spinal Associates was hired to conduct a facilities accessibility study. The Task Force reconvened, bringing together campus administrators to address the findings of the evaluation. In 2017 the Task Force was officially charged and later renamed the Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2018.
The Accessibility Advisory Committee is responsible for:
- Using the accessibility assessment conducted by the American Spinal Association to develop a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the physical environment including priorities for implementation;
- Recommending actions, policies, and practices needed to improve access to campus facilities and programs, and advising the appropriate individuals responsible for the implementation of those improvements.
- Making recommendations to ensure all of Pratt’s electronic and information technologies are accessible to all individuals who wish to access them, and that accessibility is addressed in connection with the implementation and ongoing maintenance of all existing and new electronic and information technology acquisitions.
- When appropriate, engaging consultants with specific subject matter expertise to assist with the implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
- Communicating new and revised policies related to accessibility to the Pratt community;
- Communication and engagement with the campus community regarding the committee’s work.
ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
- Chair – Elisabeth Sullivan, Director of Learning/Access Center and 504 Coordinator
- Russ Abell, Director of Libraries
- Elizabeth Berg, Associate Director for Access Services, Library
- Rod Bowman, Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety & Preparedness
- Darelle Daniels, Access Coordinator, Learning/Access Center
- Chris Gavlick, Chief Facilities Officer
- Lenus George, Director of Technology Support Services
- Renae Govinda, Program Manager, The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
- Jim Kempster, Vice President, Communications and Marketing
- Delmy M. Lendof, Vice President for Student Affairs
- Jazmin A. Peralta, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Charlotte Savidge, Director, Communications
- Dan Simonette, Senior Employee and Labor Relations Specialist, HR
- Zach Slanger, Instructional Designer, Inclusivity and Academic Success
- Jolene Travis, Assistant Vice President for Communications
- Tuan Vu, Director of Housing
AD HOC MEMBERS:
- Nicole Barnes, Project Manager, Communications
- Thomas Greene, Director of Legal Affairs
- Luke Phillips, Registrar
ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE ADVISORY GROUP LIAISONS:
- Sarah Burry, Grad History of Art and Design, Information Science
ADVISORY GROUP
Faculty Representation:
- Ciclón, Instructor, Social Science & Cultural Studies
- Nicholas Dease, Digital Learning Librarian, Visiting Assistant Professor, Library, School of Information
- Rose M Kampert, Adjunct Professor – CCE, Fashion Design
- Rachel Levitsky, Professor, Writing
- Elæ Moss, Adjunct Professor, Humanities & Media Studies
- Pamela Pavliscak, Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Information
- Julia Steinmetz, Assistant Professor, Humanities & Media Studies
- Yutaka Takiura, Visiting Associate Professor, Design Management
Student Representation:
- Sara Almai, Graduate Library and Information Science
- Eugene Brukhman, Undergraduate Industrial Design
- M.J. Fischer, Undergraduate Writing
- Jayden Fosburg, Undergraduate Game Arts, Foundation Fine Arts
- Merlin Sabal, Graduate Integrated Practices, Painting/Drawing
- Emma Vall, Undergraduate Film, Foundation Fine Arts
- Vishal Vanka, Undergraduate Industrial Design, Foundation Fine Arts
Staff Representation:
- Caroline Kasnakian, Director of Counseling Center
- Jason LeConey, Associate Director for Housing Operations
- P Aurora Robinson, Higher Education Opportunities Program Counselor, Tutor, HEOP
- Deborah Yanagisawa, Associate Director of Career Development and Engagement
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Improved wheelchair access to the Engineering Building, Chapel Hall, and Main Building by installing code-compliant ramps for both buildings
- Making the classrooms, offices, studios, galleries, workshops, the chapel, the radio station, and campus ministries accessible
- Temporary ramp installed in Willoughby Hall to provide access to Residential Life Office, Health Services, and No Name Cafe programming space
- Relocated Counseling to an accessible space in the ISC Building
- Repairs completed to worst trip hazards, as identified by American Spinal Associates
- Relocated the Learning/Access Center to an accessible space
- Made the bathroom on the first floor of the ISC accessible
- Created a new campus map that identifies accessible routes on campus
- Engaged signage consultants to create accessible route signage
- Renovations to the Student Union make it almost fully accessible (one conference room and the control room are not accessible)
- Installed elevator/lift in ARC to make 2nd floor accessible, including the weight room and adjacent yoga studio and all fitness classes
- Created nine accessible single rooms in the new first-year student residence hall
- Creating wheelchair-accessible seating in Memorial Hall Auditorium
- In accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) standards, Interactive Services identified and addressed the majority of accessibility issues on www.pratt.edu that were discovered during two accessibility audits. Minor outstanding issues reference design choices that are necessary to adhere to Pratt’s branding and identity. However, all content is accessible through acceptable alternatives.
- Ensured information regarding accessibility is readily available:
- The Pratt website includes information on the accessibility of various programs and campus spaces.
- The room reservation process now includes information regarding the accessibility of spaces.
- All public events provide information about the accessibility of the program.
- A process to review all events and activities to ensure accessibility has been implemented.
- Made Pratt store items available in accessible space in the cafeteria
- Dekalb Gallery had a ramp installed to make it fully accessible
- Items in Progress:
- Willoughby Lobby is being redesigned to make all of Willoughby Hall accessible
- Pratt House is being evaluated for how to make it accessible