Students urge board to fix long‑standing wheelchair lift, add ramps and ADA doors

Students and staff urged the Birmingham Community Charter High District board to prioritize repairs after an accessibility walk documented obstacles that limit participation for students who use wheelchairs.

Stephanie, an education specialist and case manager, said students sent emails and met with Mr. Bennett before presenting to the board. “PA wheelchair lift, which has been out of service for many years, preventing students from participating in choir, theater, and events,” she said, and asked the board to install ramps to classrooms (she identified rooms 2011 and 2012 as creating detours), add ADA push‑button doors for the main office and hallways, and update emergency procedures.

Student speakers described firsthand effects. Jay Wood said he spent weeks in a wheelchair after fracturing an ankle and struggled with long detours, heavy doors and missed classes: “It was really hard for me trying to get around…It was hard for me to open doors by myself because I didn't have anybody pushing me around,” he said. Another senior, Mace, urged teacher accessibility training and said seeing broken equipment and repeated detours “breaks my heart” when classmates cannot access programs.

Board members and staff did not take immediate votes on the requests during public comment. Administrators acknowledged the items and said they have been collecting cost estimates and will provide members with the students’ written recommendations. The board also received copies of the students’ report and a request that these repairs be prioritized so campus access aligns with the school’s inclusion commitments.

Next steps: staff said they will return with cost information and proposed timelines for repairs at a future meeting.