Are you Handicapped or Handicapped?

1. Are you Handicapped or Handicapped? Miami University Hamilton Presented by Casey Hatton Student

2. Introduction to the Problem At Miami Hamilton we currently have 12 designated handicap parking spots. That number is at or below .5% of the total enrollment We have over 50 students and/or faculty that currently posses a certification allowing them to park in designated handicap spots. We currently have two students who are confined to a wheelchair. That requires them to have more room surrounding their car and preferably to park as close as possible to the buildings for many reasons including adverse weather conditions.

3. Problem Continued.. • Reasons the students need handicap parking: • Physical Injury • Physical disability • Mental disability • Temperary injury, physical and/or mental • Above the age of 55 • There are two problems that we have at Miami concerning the handicap parking. • The number of handicap spots are less than or equal to .5% of the university’s enrollment. • The handicap spots that are available are being filled by people that are not incapable of walking; therefore leaving no spots for the students who are not capable of walking.

4. Proposal I propose that Miami should: Create more handicap spots within our parking lots Designate at least two spots in each lot to those students who are truly incapable of walking.

5. Plan of Action • I believe the best part of my proposal is that it does not require Miami to build additional parking space, but simply to make some of the already available space handicap. • In addition to the 4 spots located to the right of the Mosler and Rentschler buildings and the 8 spots located in front of the Rentschler building Miami needs to add 4 spots in each section of the parking lot located directly across the street from the university. (4 spots in the older portion of the lot and 4 spots in the recently added portion of the parking lot.

6. Plan of Action Continued.. • Miami needs to designate 2 of the 8 spots located in front of the Rentschler building as “wheelchair only” handicap spots. • The parking lot located to the right of Wilks Conference Center and Phelps Hall should have at least 12 handicap spots with 2 spots designated as “wheelchair only” handicap spots. • The parking lot that is located at the University Hall building should have 4 handicap spots with 1 designated as a “wheelchair only” handicap spot. • Supplies required: • Handicap signs for each spot that was not already handicap. • Additional small sign for each “wheelchair only” handicap spot. • Handicap symbol painted in each spot that was not already handicapped • Some additional white lines painted that divide the larger space of a handicap spot.

7. Supplies Needed • Supplies required: • Handicap signs for each spot that was not already handicap. • Additional small sign for each “wheelchair only” handicap spot. • Handicap symbol painted in each spot that was not already handicapped • Some additional white lines painted that divide the larger space of a handicap spot.

8. Cost • 10 handicap signs: $10 each/ $100 • 5 signs for “wheelchair only”: $10 each/ $50 • One gallon of blue paint per two signs painted: • 12 additional spots to be painted • 6 gallons of paint: $10 each/ $60 • One gallon of white paint per 6 signs painted: • 12 additional spots to be painted • 2 gallons of paint: $10 each/ $20 • One gallon of paint per 2 sets of white lines painted: • 6 sets of white lines painted • 3 gallons of paint: $10 each/ $30 • $10 per man hour used: • Estimated 30 man hours: $300 • Total: $560

9. Why Should Miami Do This? As a university Miami strives to be the best it can be. Miami wants to be the best it can be for its faculty as well as its students. This project will better serve or students and faculty who are in need of the services that this project will provide. There will be no more students with disabilities being late to classes because they had to park farther away or wait for a handicap spot to become available. The students or faculty who are in need of wheelchair assistance will always have a parking spot they can utilize.

10. Thank You Thank you all for taking time out of your busy day to listen to my proposal. I hope I did my job of making you aware of this issue and have made an impression on what needs to happen to resolve it. I believe this project will be very beneficial to the students and faculty of Miami. Any additional questions after we have adjorned can be answered by either calling me at (123) 456-7890 or emailing me at hattonmc@email.com Have a wonderful rest of your day.