In a response to the findings issued by the U.S. Department of Education regarding Michigan Stadium, the University detailed both its longstanding commitment to providing access for patrons who are disabled and to existing plans to more than triple the number and location of accessible seats.
In addition, U-M’s response outlined the University’s consistent adherence to the federal standards of accessibility, corrected what officials called misinformation presented in the Department of Education letter and reiterated the University’s hope to continue discussions and work toward a resolution with the department.
“Our desire is not, and never has been, to limit opportunities for the disabled,” Interim Vice President and General Counsel Gloria Hage wrote in the letter to the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. “Rather, it is to continue to work with the federal government to achieve readily available strategies that can be employed to meet everyone’s interests.”
The University also included a reference to an earlier offer it made to the Department of Education. In May, U-M offered to add 281 wheelchair accessible seats to the bowl through the use of portable platforms. The platforms would be added based on demand.
“This is about access for the disabled in a very old stadium with structural limitations,” Hage says. “We are committed to providing and exceeding the demand for accessible seating.”
For complete text of the letter to U.S. Department of Education go to www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=6161.
