More campus access needed for the physically disabled

Peninsula High School is known for its welcoming attitude. Unfortunately, the concrete stairs do not mirror that intention. Second floor classrooms can be an obstacle for any person with a physical limitation.

According to the United States Census in 2010, 5.2 percent of school-aged children, between the ages of 5 and 17, were reported to have a disability. With about 53.9 million students in the U.S., that means that about 2.8 million of them are considered disabled. This is a significant number throughout the country and at Peninsula High School.

Elevators can be accessed with a key from the nurse’s office. Yet, they aren’t always functional, even though they are maintained by the district and must pass inspection in order to receive an operating permit.

When Sophomore Abbie Gallegos injured her ankle, she struggled to get to her second-floor classrooms. The campus supervisors had to help her get around the school.

Even temporarily injured students on crutches suffer from the campus’s layout.

Worse, in an emergency, all students need to be able to safely evacuate any buildings. Currently, the emergency plan includes most physically disabled students by having them evacuate the same route as the other students. Unless the disabled student has a full time aide, no required assistance will be given to them. More ramps are needed to ensure safety and easy accessibility.

Student safety and conveniences should be Peninsula’s number one concern.