JMU STEM Corps and BGCHR partnership, March 1st, 2024. Photos taken by Ibrahim Azad (Stone Spring Elem., HCPS) and Julia Kelly (Bluestone Elem., HCPS) Boys & Girls Club.

The discussion started with "What does it mean to be safe? What does it mean to be accessible? How are those two things related for people using wheelchairs?"

The challenge was to improve the safety of a 32-inch ramp (foam board) purchased for ten-year old girl Jenny, who lives in Harrisonburg: Adjust the height to meet the ADA-required 1:4 ratio and add handrails, a landing large enough for Jenny to open the door unassisted, a bottom landing for smoother transition, and a safer surface. The height to length requirement was met by making their building no higher than 8" from the base. Standard and non-standard measuring tools were available for our blended age groups.