PIERCE COLLEGE : 21 Ramps Completed for Disabled

What had been described as a life-threatening danger was eliminated last week at Pierce College with the completion of 21 ramps to provide students in wheelchairs sidewalk access to the campus.

Norm Crozer, director of special services, said that before curbs were removed and the ramps constructed, students in wheelchairs faced “a real physical danger” because they were forced to go out on busy public streets to enter the campus.

Officials said the removal of curb barriers to sidewalks was long overdue on the Woodland Hills campus.

“I’ve been advocating curb cuts for several years, but I’m not in charge of coming up with the funding,” Crozer said. “When it comes to funding, my hands are tied. I have to rely on the college.”

Construction of the sidewalk access ramps became possible after Don Love, vice president of administration, solicited and received $10,276 left over from a Los Angeles Community College District restroom remodeling project, said David Bush, building and grounds administrator.

The remaining $724 of the $10,500 project was paid for by the college’s general maintenance fund, Bush said.

Curb removal began Feb. 8, but was interrupted by last month’s heavy rains. Work resumed Feb. 17, said Barry Mintz, owner of Mintz Concrete Construction in West Hills, whose company constructed the ramps.

Completion of the project is a step toward compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act enacted by Congress in 1990. That act stemmed from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires colleges to provide readily accessible barrier-free programs to disabled students.

Mintz said he will be working with the college in constructing an additional 33 ramps in the future.

The Pierce campus was surveyed and evaluated last summer by Ron Mincer, specialist in disabled access and building codes, and the architectural firm Blurock. The firm developed transition plans for Pierce and four other district campuses to satisfy the federal requirements.

Pierce’s proposal for removal of additional curbs was submitted to the state for approval Feb. 1. The college can take no more steps toward barrier removal until the state responds, Crozer said.

“Then, the college will proceed to prioritize the project, but I have no idea when the state will respond,” Crozer said.