Accessibility Study For Wrightsville Beach Elementary School Nov. 30, 2007
Bus Drop-Off to Entrance: In the a.m. buses drop off in front of school using paved
circle, approx. 25 ft. from main entrance. Boarding of buses in afternoon is done at the
edge of front lawn. Distance to afternoon bus location is further and there is a paved path
the entire distance, however there is no overhead cover or railing the entire way. The
main entrance for morning and afternoon buses has 2 steps with a railing and is covered.
There is also a paved ramp which does not require traveling any extra distance; however
the ramp is not covered overhead. The Doorway into the building has a lip (approx. 1 ½”)
and does not have any automatic button for handicapped assistance or any type of closing
delay.
Hallways: Main building has 2 hallways which are both wide and smooth.
Water Fountains: 1) Located near the main entrance. 26 ½ ‘’ high with clearance
underneath and a rubber mat located on floor below.
2) Located in long hallway near the library. 32’’ high without any clearance underneath,
does have rubber mat on floor below.
Classrooms: Doorways into all classrooms are sufficiently wide. Desk heights are
adjustable and chairs are not attached to desks.
Bathrooms:
 Girls: Doorway for entrance has lip but otherwise easy entrance and sink area is
very spacious. Sink counter is 30’’ high and 18’’ deep (required to reach faucet).
There is no clearance underneath the sink counter. There are no handicapped
accessible stalls or changing areas. Toilet seats are 15’’ high and stalls are not
spacious enough for assistance with closed door.
 Boys: Doorway has lip to enter, same as girls entrance. Stalls also similar to girls’
room, however urinals have large amount of space and would allow for assistance
or be ok for w/c use.
 Staff: Located in main office. Very hard to access due to narrow spaces between
secretary desks. VERY narrow doorway to enter and VERY small space inside,
could not close door with more than one person inside.
 Nurse: Very hard to access because nurse’s office is very small and cramped.
Doorway is VERY narrow and cannot close door with more than one person
inside. No changing area and not enough room in nurse’s office for one. Nurses
office really only has standing room and could not accommodate assistive
devices.
 Trailers: Trailer bathrooms are also used for storage and do not have any type of
handicap accessibility.
Lunchroom: Doorway to enter has lip but otherwise easy accessibility. Long tables with
round plastic stools attached. Space at ends of tables could be used for w/c or placement
of a different type of chair if stools are not practical. Tables are 26 ½’’ high with
clearance underneath. Lunch line area has tight turn after entrance but is wide enough for
assistive device. Counter for trays and food services is 36’’ high and counter for register
is 32’’ high with a gap between the two. Milk cooler is 23’’ high and requires reaching in
to pick up milk. Ice cream cooler is 30’’ high and also requires reaching in for selection.
There is also a wooden stage located in the cafeteria that appears to be mainly used for
faculty and staff. There are 3 steps leading to the stage and no visible railings or ramps.
Lunchroom also used for art class and possibly music classes.
Library: Doorway to library area does not have automatic button or closing delay. Area
rug on tile floor under tables. Tables are 26 ½’’ high with 22’ clearance underneath.
Librarian counter is 32’’ high. All book stacks are on wheels so although some isles
appear narrow could easily be changed. Computers have narrow access area, however
stacks could be rolled to allow greater isle width. Computer desks have 26 ½’’ height
with good clearance underneath. Resource room is located in back of library and has
narrow entrance area but could be changed because of rolling stacks. Some high shelved
books however would be high for any elementary age child.
Rear Entrance and Trailers: There are two sets of doorways leading to the rear
entrance and both have lips as you pass through them. Neither doorway has an automatic
button or a closing delay. The outside rear entrance is not covered at all, has 2 steps with
a railing, however the railing is not long enough to be useful for the lower step. There is
an aluminum ramp leading to a paved walkway which does not require any extra distance
compared to the stairs. Behind the main school there are smooth paved sidewalks going
to and between all the trailers but there is a 2’’ drop from the edge of the sidewalk to the
surrounding gravel. Each trailer has 2 separate entrances, one with 5 steps and railing
leading to a covered overhang outside a doorway. Another entrance with an aluminum
ramp, which is also connected to a pathway leading to one other trailer, is attached to
each trailer. Ramps do not require a significant amount of increased travel distance. The
ramp entrances are not covered except for an overhang outside the doorway.
Outside: Side entrance without ramp or rail, however 3 steps have brick wall on either
side. Doorway has 1 ½’’ lip to pass through. This doorway leads to sandy swing area
surrounded by grass. There are no paved pathways from any entrances or trailer
sidewalks leading to any of the multiple play areas in the back, however all areas are
surrounded and connected by grassy pathways which are low cut and firm. There is
another set of low swings with woodchips underneath and surrounded by 11’’ barrier
without any cut through. Another play area with a jungle gym and woodchips is also
surrounded by an 11’’ barrier without any cut through. There is another jungle gym in a
sandy area without any barrier around it. There are 2 covered areas, 1 with a single picnic
table underneath and on the same level as the grassy area and another with benches and
picnic tables that has a 3 1/2’’ step up to enter. An outdoor wooden amphitheater is
located looking out over the water and is also surrounded by short firm grass which could
be accessed with assistive device.