As a graduation gift from students in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences class of 2010, a washroom at Elborn College was renovated to make it more accessible.
Donations were made by the three students’ councils, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), along with a matching donation made by Physical Plant. Each council contributed $500 ($1,500 total) and the rest was covered by a grant.
“I have to admit I never thought that renovating a whole washroom would be in our budget,” says Amanda Musto, member of the OT students’ council. “Previous gifts have mainly been pieces of artwork that the class collaborated on. I suggested trying to make Elborn more accessible and therefore took on the project.”
Renovations were completed under the Campus Accessibility Review and Enhancement Committee, which provides funding annually from Physical Plant. Renovations were done to the existing men’s and women’s washrooms, as well as the creation of a new gender neutral barrier-free washroom. The three washrooms have new plumbing and lighting fixtures, automatic door openers, appropriate sink heights, and grab-bars in appropriate positions.
Renovations were completed in October after three months.
It is a tradition for students in OT, PT, and CSD to give a graduation gift. Many lecturers, guest speakers and patients who come to Elborn will benefit from it being a more accessible building.
Students from OT completed an exercise which had them experience how accessible Elborn was by using wheelchairs, crutches, scooters, etc. to navigate through different areas of the building. As a result, the students were amazed at how inaccessible the building was, despite it being the rehabilitation science building. This sparked the decision to renovate the washroom.
The group developed a list of improvements to help improve the accessibility of the building, and one idea stood out as realistic enough to complete within their modest budget, says Tess Mayne of CSD.
“This accessible bathroom will make life easier for our patients, professors, classmates, and guests who have disabilities,” adds Denise Dickie of PT.