Kane Hall Architectural Accessibility SurveyLaw, Societies and Justice 332May 22, 2007

Group Two April MonastrialCarolyn ThayerCorrina EmerickJames MaloneLeisl BaumanMegan Hanse

Kane Hall OverviewKane Hall is a classroom-auditorium buildingKane Hall was built in 1971Kane Hall has the largest lecture halls on the UW campus; some rooms can seat more than 720 peopleIn addition to classrooms, Kane Hall also houses the Walker-Ames Reception Room for large gatherings Kane Hall also houses a number of departments:Classroom Support Services (CSS)UWTV

Kane Overview, Cont.Kane Hall is intended for large classes, lectures, gatherings and receptionsMany entry-level undergraduate courses are held in Kane HallKane Hall houses both UW and non-UW activities, such as SAT testing and outside conferences

Kane Hall LocationKane Hall is located in the North Central areaKane Hall sits at the northeast end of Red SquareKane Hall is above the Central Plaza parking garage and is relatively close to 15th avenue

Kane Hall Classroom OverviewThe following table shows the size of each classroom in Kane Hall. This does not include the Walker-Ames room or any other rooms.

LevelRoomSeats111023011204401130720221024522202402235125223420

Kane Hall Accessibility SurveyOur survey of Kane Hall is founded on the Facility Checklist worksheetSurvey took place on May 1, 2007Survey was conducted during normal building hours between 14:00-16:00Questions on ADA building practices were addressed by referencing a professional interior designer and an ADA text

Kane Hall Accessibility OverviewKane Hall meets most though not all ADA requirementsMost requirements are met at minimum levelFor such a large and central building, Kane is not nearly accessible enoughRemodeling projects in Kane have failed to rectify many major problemsMany problems are not necessarily specific to Kane Hall

Cultural Construction of Disability through Kane HallKane Hall is created with able-bodies individuals in mind; persons with disabilities have been retrofitted into the building as neededAs Mutua observes, accessibility and spontaneity are almost inversely related; in Kane Hall one must follow a very rigid and set pathTherefore, we must question why Kane is constructed in such a way - surely it seems not to be out of consideration for individuals with disabilitiesMost accessible areas are in the basement of Kane Hall; this puts individuals with disabilities outside of the public sphere into a less visited placeAccessibility features and devices are often camouflaged which makes them harder to see as distinct from the environmentIf disability is culturally constructed, what can we say about only doing the bare minimum as required by law?

Approach and Entrance to Kane Hall

Route of travelNOT stable, firm and slip-resistant

RampsToo long, poorly designed

Kane Hall SignsSign for Kane Hall is poorly placed and designed

CurbsCuts are poorly placed

Parking and Drop-OffUnclear, possibly dangerous

Parking and Drop-Off, Cont.Van-accessible spots not marked well, confusing signs

Parking and Drop-Off, Cont.Loading dock a possibility; poorly marked, shady

EntranceSome inaccessible doors have no signs

Entrance, Cont.Some entrances are poorly designed and lit

Accessibility SignLacks needed information, flat print text only

Entry DoorsMost entry doors, when open, are 31 wide; poor signs; likely take more than 5lb/f to open

Emergency EgressSome alarms do not have light indicators; very poor switch placement

Emergency SignsSigns are poorly designed; no raised text

Access to Programs/Services in Kane Hall

Doors to roomsDoor pulls likely require > 9lb/f and are hard to open with closed fist

Obstacles in Route of TravelSome objects protrude into the route of travel; hard to find with cane

SignsPoor design and placement

Signs, Cont.Poor design and placement

SeatingWheelchair seating at front and back only

Seating, Cont.Wheelchair spaces are filled with other chairs

ElevatorsFreight elevator, usably by public, does not have tones or braille controls

Elevators, Cont. All elevators do not have speech-independent emergency intercoms installed; poor signs

Usability of Restrooms in Kane Hall

Bathroom SignsNot tactile; poor placement

Entry Into BathroomAwkward configuration and poor placement frustrate

Path to FixturesVery poor door placement; it is only 34.5 wide

Fixture PlacementPoor design complicates sink use

LavatoriesRim too high, not enough clear space to floors(not pictured - people were becoming cross)

Additional Access in Kane Hall

Drinking FountainsSpout too high at 43 & poor choice (in remodeled area)

TelephonesVery poor spacing; too high (57); no signs for phones

Trash ReceptaclesPoor placement in many areas

Fire Suppression EquipmentMissing; hope you do not need it

Questions