A Round of Applause for Pierce

Valorie Grear never thought she would return to teaching drama after a traffic accident last year left her paralyzed from the waist down. But the Pierce College instructor made it back to the stage this semester--overcoming her own fears and the concerns of her family and friends. While Grear’s courage and determination deserve plenty of applause, the Pierce administration also should take a bow for making her comeback as smooth as possible.

Prior to Grear’s return, in a wheelchair, Pierce administrators walked every inch of the campus theater and looked for ways to make it easier for her to get around. They installed lighter doors that close more slowly, making them easier for Grear to open and less likely to shut on her. A new ramp will give her better access to the stage.

Some of the improvements would have been required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 1990 law that requires building owners to provide equal access to the disabled. Many developers and businesses complain that the costs of complying with the law are too high. Indeed, even simple things like wider doors and renovated restrooms can cost thousands of dollars. Pierce, however, went beyond the letter of the law and embraced its spirit by fixing little things that had suddenly become difficult for Grear. Most notably, campus workers built a special audiovisual cabinet that puts controls within Grear’s reach.

At the same time, Pierce showed how little a price tag such improvements can have, that doing the right thing need not cost a fortune. Total bill: less than $10,000--most of which was used for an electric door at the front of the theater that was needed anyway. Any successful production depends on its backstage crew. Pierce deserves a standing ovation for helping Grear back on the stage.