Transition Plan
The University of Kansas strives to operate each service or activity so that, when viewed in its entirety, it is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. However, KU aspires to do more than comply with the letter of accessibility laws. Our goal is to endorse a campus climate that will sustain attention to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the spirit in which it was designed and provide the KU campus community a climate of belonging.
To help achieve this goal, KU has developed a transition plan to begin transforming its facilities to provide even greater accessibility for students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities.
Plan Governance
The current transition plan was created in 2013 and updated in June 2017, by the Architectural Accessibility and Inclusion Committee which includes several members with various disabilities and representatives of organizations that advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
Addition and Prioritization of Items
New items are typically added to the transition plan in one of two ways:
- A person alerts the ADA RCEA Office or Facilities Planning and Development of an area on campus that could be improved for accessibility.
- A newly built environment is added to the KU campus.
The Architectural Accessibility and Inclusion Committee votes to prioritize items on the transition plan.
Current Plan
The current plan for academic facilities, created in 2013 and updated in June of 2017, is illustrated in the table below. The Department of Student Housing maintains a separate transition plan (PDF) for student housing facilities. If you have comments, questions, or recommendations for additions to the plan, please contact our office by email at accessibility@Ku.edu or by phone at 785-864-4946.
The charts below may be sorted by clicking on the topic name
KU Transition Plan1 Academic Accessibility Projects2 June 29, 2017
Location: Strong Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Add Handrails to Central Main Entrance
Completion:
2012
Comments:
N/A
Location: Lippincott Hall
Project Number:
008/9023
Project Topic:
New Elevator and Accessible Entrance
Completion:
08/2012
Comments:
N/A
Location: Murphy Hall
Project Number:
076/9550
Project Topic:
Fire Alarm Strobes Installed in Courtyard
Completion:
09/2012
Comments:
N/A
Location: Strong Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Fire Alarm Strobe Upgrades
Completion:
12/2012
Comments:
N/A
Location: Watson Library
Project Number:
022/9241
Project Topic:
Accessible Ramp Replacement
Completion:
08/2012
Comments:
N/A
Location: Sudler Annex
Project Number:
092/3725
Project Topic:
Various Accessibility Improvements
Completion:
04/2012
Comments:
Included accessible ramp to entrance and accessible restroom.
Location: Lippincott Hall
Project Number:
008/9006
Project Topic:
Add Handrails to Interior Stairs
Completion:
02/2013
Comments:
N/A
Location: Murphy Hall
Project Number:
076/10038
Project Topic:
Add Ramp in Crafton-Preyer Theater Lobby
Completion:
06/2013
Comments:
N/A
Location: Carruth-O'Leary Hall
Project Number:
077/9787
Project Topic:
Renovate IOA Office to be Compliant with 2010 ADA
Completion:
06/2013
Comments:
N/A
Location: Murphy Hall
Project Number:
Lz_f2/9969
Project Topic:
Circle Drive at Naismith Drive Entrance
Completion:
09/2013
Comments:
Included new accessible parking stalls. Reworked circle drive to coordinate with Parking Lot 54 reconstruction.
Location: Parking Lot 54
Project Number:
Lz_g2/8997
Project Topic:
Parking Lot Reconstruction
Completion:
09/2013
Comments:
Included accessible parking count increase and relocation as well as new ramp to Naismith Drive. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Hill Engineering
Project Number:
233/9886
Project Topic:
New Building
Completion:
06/2013
Comments:
Fully compliant site work and building. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Jayhawk Boulevard
Project Number:
Lz_u/9780
Project Topic:
Jayhawk Boulevard Reconstruction Phase 1
Completion:
09/2013
Comments:
Included new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Sunnyside Avenue to Jayhawk Boulevard
Project Number:
Lz_u/8715
Project Topic:
Signage for Hawk Route from Sunnyside to Jayhawk Blvd
Completion:
01/2013
Comments:
N/A
Location: Murphy Hall
Project Number:
076/9880
Project Topic:
Add Elevator that Serves Level 2 and 3
Completion:
08/2014
Comments:
N/A
Location: Structural Testing & Student Project Facility
Project Number:
088/8941
Project Topic:
New Building
Completion:
09/2014
Comments:
Fully compliant site work and building. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components. Costs included in LEEP2 below.
Location: LEEP2
Project Number:
088/9841
Project Topic:
New Building
Completion:
06/2015
Comments:
Fully compliant site work and building. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Pearson Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
071/10080
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
08/2014
Comments:
Cost listed includes total project cost. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Sellards Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
072/10081
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
08/2014
Comments:
Cost listed includes total project cost. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Stephenson Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
070/10082
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
08/2014
Comments:
Cost listed includes total project cost. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Parking Lot 8
Project Number:
Lz_h/10252
Project Topic:
Relocate Accessible Stall and Curb Cut
Completion:
08/2014
Comments:
N/A
Location: Parking Lot 129
Project Number:
Lz_g1/10269
Project Topic:
Add Accessible Parking Stall
Completion:
08/2014
Comments:
N/A
Location: Jayhawk Boulevard
Project Number:
Lz_u/9781
Project Topic:
Jayhawk Boulevard Reconstruction Phase 2
Completion:
09/2014
Comments:
Included new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Twente Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Add Automatic Door Operator and Curb Cut2
Completion:
Spring 2014
Comments:
N/A
Location: DeBruce Center
Project Number:
240/9808
Project Topic:
New Building
Completion:
04/2016
Comments:
Fully compliant site work and building. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Capitol Federal Hall
Project Number:
234/8585
Project Topic:
New Building
Completion:
04/2016
Comments:
Fully compliant site work and building. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Self & Oswald Residence Halls; Daisy Hill Commons
Project Number:
235/8245
Project Topic:
New Building
Completion:
07/2015
Comments:
Fully compliant site work and building. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Jayhawk Boulevard
Project Number:
Lz_u/9782
Project Topic:
Jayhawk Boulevard Reconstruction Phase 3
Completion:
09/2015
Comments:
Included new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Douthart Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
08/2015
Comments:
Cost includes ADA modifications to meet Path of Travel requirements.
Location: Strong Hall
Project Number:
037/5638
Project Topic:
Add Accessible Ramp to Front of Building
Completion:
04/2015
Comments:
N/A
Location: Green Hall
Project Number:
150/11179
Project Topic:
Add Automatic Door Operators to North Entrance and Restrooms
Completion:
09/2016
Comments:
N/A
Location: Miller Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
08/2016
Comments:
Cost includes ADA modifications to meet Path of Travel requirements.
Location: Watkins Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
Cost includes ADA modifications to meet Path of Travel requirements.
Location: Memorial Drive
Project Number:
Lz_u/10715
Project Topic:
Memorial Drive Reconstruction Phase 1
Completion:
08/2016
Comments:
Included new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Also relocated accessible parking closer to Snow as well as increasing number of accessible stalls.
Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Malott Hall
Project Number:
Lz_e2/11220
Project Topic:
Replace Ramp & Stair at NW Corner to be ADA Compliant
Completion:
Summer 2017
Comments:
N/A
Location: Grace Pearson Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
Summer 2017
Comments:
Cost includes ADA modifications to meet Path of Travel requirements.
Location: Memorial Drive
Project Number:
Lz_u/10716
Project Topic:
Memorial Drive Reconstruction Phase 2
Completion:
Summer 2017
Comments:
Will include new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Watson Library
Project Number:
022/11310
Project Topic:
Modify Restrooms on Levels 3, 4 & 5 to be 2010 ADA Compliant
Completion:
Summer 2017
Comments:
Adds 2 single-occupant accessible restrooms on level 3. Modifies restrooms on levels 4 and 5 to be 2010 ADA compliant.
Location: Corbin Residence Hall
Project Number:
001/10417
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
Summer 2018
Comments:
Cost includes ADA modifications to meet Path of Travel requirements.
Location: Battenfeld Scholarship Hall
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Major Renovation
Completion:
Summer 2018
Comments:
Cost includes ADA modifications to meet Path of Travel requirements.
Location: Jayhawk Boulevard
Project Number:
Lz_u/9783
Project Topic:
Jayhawk Boulevard Reconstruction Phase 4
Completion:
Summer 2018
Comments:
Will include new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Location: Memorial Drive
Project Number:
Lz_u/10717
Project Topic:
Memorial Drive Reconstruction Phase 3
Completion:
Summer 2018
Comments:
Will include new sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. This will complete an accessible path from Mississippi St. to West Campus Road. Not all costs are attributable to accessibility components.
Future Projects3 (Funding Needed, Project Dates Estimated)
Project Number:
021/10345
Project Topic:
Add Elevator
Completion:
2018
Priority:
2
Comments:
AAIC remains committed to the installation of an elevator in Smith Hall as soon as funding permits. By majority vote, AAIC determined it appropriate and necessary to submit a recommendation to the Provost that additional non-R&R funding be explored for installation of Smith Hall elevator in 2018 fiscal cycle.
Project design is underway.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Accessibility Upgrades: Ramp to main entrance, accessible path to Upper
Panorama, accessible restrooms, single-occupant restrooms
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
11
Comments:
Items are being included as part of what will likely be a 2-phase renovation project.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Repair Elevators B and C
Completion:
2018
Priority:
1
Comments:
By majority vote on 1/10/2018, AAIC amended the priority of future projects. Smith Hall redesignated from priority number one to priority two. AAIC designated the repair of Elevators B/C in Haworth Hall as the top priority for future projects. The Committee based its decision upon the large number of students, staff, faculty served by the building and the elevators necessity for full access to the Hawk Route.4 AAIC also factored into this decision, the possibility of relocation of orientation services from Smith Hall until the elevator installation occurs.
Project Number:
104/10310
Project Topic:
Modify Restrooms on Level 3 Stewart Wing to be 2010 ADA Compliant
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
10
Comments:
N/A
Project Number:
042/9844
Project Topic:
Add Automatic Door Operator to West Basement Entrance
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
12
Comments:
FP&D will investigate adding this work to the current EEEC construction project.
Project Number:
076/10195
Project Topic:
Modify Restrooms on Level 3 West Wing to be 2010 ADA Compliant
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
4
Comments:
Single-occupant restroom study recommended adding 2 single- occupant restrooms to the former "lounge" outside the women's restroom adjacent to the theater lobby.
Project Number:
Lz_c2/10337
Project Topic:
Analysis of Accessibility
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
5
Comments:
This may or may not be an accessibility issue. Phase 4 of Jayhawk Blvd Reconstruction will reexamine the issue.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Add Accessible Aisle from Parking Stalls Across Drive to Dole Center
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
6
Comments:
Estimated cost includes 6' wide striped aisle behind all parked cars, striped aisle to entrance, removing 6' of existing planter and patch of sidewalk at removed planter.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Add Accessible Route from Sunnyside Avenue to Parking Lot 90 and
Ambler Student Recreation Center
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
8
Comments:
Includes minor modifications to replace non-compliant sidewalks along with a short ramp near the NW corner of Robinson Center.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Correct Non-Compliant Exterior Ramp
Completion:
N/A
Priority:
9
Comments:
Ramp on average is compliant. Portions slope more than 1:12. Portions slope less than 1:12.
Assessments5
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Directional Signage for Restrooms
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
Goal is to add directional signage at all non-accessible restrooms to the accessible restrooms within the same building.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
N/A
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
N/A
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Add Automatic Door Operators to Level 1 Restrooms
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
Dole Institute staff has reported this has not been an issue. AAIC voted to remove on from Transition Plan on 7/25/2017 and to conduct a formal assessment.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Widen sidewalk and add site lighting
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
Dole Institute staff has reported numerous complaints about the sidewalk width when multiple wheelchair users visit for events and a lack of adequate lighting from the accessible parking spaces to the building.
Project Number:
Lz_u/9716
Project Topic:
Accessible Route from Engel Road to Jayhawk Boulevard
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
Estimated cost includes new 5' walk along full route and curb ramps at each driveway. No regrading, landscaping, utilities, etc. are included. The future progress of this project is dependent on support from the City of Lawrence.
Project Number:
046/5874
Project Topic:
Add Elevator
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
AAIC review determined further assessment needed for proper evaluation of building. Initial assessment is that vertical integration may not be possible and would not meet State and Federal Standards. Concern raised that installation of elevator would likely only serve Levels 1 and 2. The basement level has constraints that limit the accessibility improvements that are possible such that an elevator extending down to this level would serve little purpose.
AAIC determined the following steps are necessary: 1) Complete a detailed assessment of building to identify accessibility and compliance elements; 2) Final determination from leaders on feasibility of relocation and demo of current building; 3) Relocate Military Science public programs and events to other accessible buildings.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Accessible Seating Numbers in Crafton-Preyer Theater
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
11 accessible spaces are required when counting total amount of seating in the theater. When counting seating on only the Orchestra level, 6 accessible spaces would be required. Theatre currently has 5 accessible spaces. Future plan for Theatre includes possibility of decreasing the number of seats on the Orchestra level and removing the balcony seating entirely. Will reassess seating requirements as part of that project.
Project Number:
Lz_u/9717
Project Topic:
Accessible Route from North and East to Jayhawk Boulevard
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
Due to changes in elevation from eastern-most scholarship halls, this work would be prohibitively expensive and would require construction of ramp runs of unacceptable length along with potentially an elevator tower building. AAIC voted to remove from Transition Plan on 7/25/2017 and to conduct a formal assessment.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Provide Additional Pool Lift
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
The movable lift can serve both pools. AAIC voted to remove from the Transition Plan on 7/25/2017 and to conduct a formal assessment.
Project Number:
N/A
Project Topic:
Add Accessible Path from Robinson Center to Price Computing Center
Completion:
N/A
Comments:
This would extend the sidewalk that currently runs between the tennis and volleyball courts to complete the accessible path.
Doing so would take the sidewalk through a heavily used activity field. AAIC voted to remove from Transition Plan on 7/25/2017 and to conduct a formal assessment.
Contact our office with any questions at accessibility@ku.edu