New Hanover County Schools
Accessibility Study for Murrayville
_______Follow up e mail of form to school administrator
Date of Study: 12-07-2010
School Environment(sidewalks, curbs, ramps, toileting assistance areas, distance
from needed areas to others): Sidewalks lead from all exit doors to necessary areas.
Sidewalks are in good condition with no unevenness or broken areas. Curb cuts are
present in all necessary areas. No excessive sidewalk drop off areas were noted.
Entrance doors have a push bar for exit and a pull handle to enter. Some handles are
fixed in vertical position and some are lever handles. The doors close quickly and are
heavy.
Bus Drop-off to entrance: Bus drop off is at the side of the school. A curb cut is
present and the area over the doorway is covered. There is about a 6’ distance from bus
to door that is not covered.
Parent Drop-Off: Parent drop off is at the front of the school. A curb cut is present.
The drop off area is covered over the door but leaves about 40’ from the drop off point
uncovered.
Front Desk Reception: Desk is as low as 30 ¼”.
Classrooms(desk and table height): Kindergarten classes typically have tables which
are height adjustable and have clearance underneath to allow wheelchair positioning.
Other classrooms typically have individual student desks which are height adjustable but
which would not work with a wheelchair. Most of the classrooms also have tables which
are height adjustable and have clearance underneath for wheelchair positioning.
Hallways: Clear and wide.
Lunchroom (table height): Cafeteria table height is 28”. The ends of the tables could
accommodate wheelchairs but have a 1” lip but another 2” lip further in underneath the
table, so would accommodate a wheelchair student whose highest seated part is 25”.
There is 21” of depth to allow the wheelchair under the table. Exit door has a ramp
leading to parking lot and a sidewalk leading to the playground.
Bathrooms: Gang bathrooms
Not all sinks in various bathrooms are at the same height but in each bathroom they are at
3 different heights. One bathroom measured heights from floor of 29”, 27”, and 26 ½”.
The underage for these sinks is 18 to 21 ½” in height and 10” in depth. Sinks have push
control to turn water on. Paper towels are mounted at 35” height. Handicap stalls are
spacious with grip bars on 2 different walls. There is room to maneuver a wheelchair to
approach toilet from the side.
Kindergarten classes have individual bathrooms which are spacious enough for a
wheelchair. The sink is located inside the bathroom. A grab bar is present beside the
toilet.
Two classrooms have a more spacious individual bathroom: Room 401, which is
currently a K class, has rails at the back and on one side of the toilet. There is a baby
changing station mounted on the 10’10” wall which is too small to be usable (Length 27
½”, height from floor 37”). Also on this wall is the sink and paper towel dispenser. The
end wall is unusable as well for a changing table due to a column sticking out.
Room 201 is currently a room for behaviorally impaired and typically has single students
in it. A baby changing station is mounted on the long wall but is unusable (28” long and
34” from the floor). There is a long wall 11’9”. That wall has the baby station, toilet and
toilet paper holder, with 57” of available space. The end of the room has a 6’ wall which
is open. Opposite the 11’9” wall is an 8’wall with door, sink, paper towel dispenser, light
switch interference.
PE: An inside gym is available. Classes are held inside part of the time and outside part
of the time. The playground area is mainly grassy.
Playground Areas: Shaded canopy areas are present. Playground is of a grassy nature.
Barrier cuts are present to allow wheelchair entry. The ground is covered with padded
hard surface under two different play sets in two different locations. Sidewalks lead right
up to the play sets.
Art: The art room has tables which are adjustable in height and have adequate clearance
underneath.
Music: Music is held in a room with a large open area.
Library: The room is spacious. The tables would allow pull up of a wheelchair
underneath.
Nurse: The cot is 23” in height with no open area underneath. There is a roll in/walk in
shower with a bench seat.
Computer Lab: Computer tables are 26 ¾” high with a 1” lip. The underneath depth is
good and tables are wide.
Outside (including play areas):
Water Fountains: Fountains are mounted at 32” and 38 ½” heights with cut out area to
allow wheelchair approach.
Stage: Stair approach and ramp accessibility on the side.
Quiet room: There is a quiet room located in classroom 201 with padded walls.
Gayle Bell/PT
Physical Therapist
Dr. Duclos
School Administrator