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

Printable Version (PDF)

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

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