1990

WEEK OF

WHEELCHAIR LIFT PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO CLASSROOMS FOR MORTON PARAPLEGIC · Liberal arts major Dennis Stuart of Morton prepares to "board" awheelchai r lift recently Installed In Newton Hall at East Central Community College In Decatur. An additional lift Is provided at the Vocational-Technical Center. Stuart, 32, a paraplegic for 12 years, has set a goal of becoming a biochemist-engineer. (EC Photo) Wheelchair lift provides easy access wheelchair passenger from floor to floor by foUowing an existing stair– way. Without the use ofan automatic lift, those confined to wheelchairs would have to depend on individuals to carry them up and down stairways.

up and down stairs to auend classes are now "a piece of cake" for the 32-year-old liberal arts major. East Central, in accordance with federal and state quidelines, recently installed wheelchair lifts at the Vocational-Technical Center and in the Newton Hall classroom building. Other measures are also being imple– mented and planned to assist hand– icapped students at the Decatur campus. The lifts are designed Lo carry a

With his mind now set on bccom– mg a chemical engineer, Dennis Stuan of Morton has decided to let nothmg stand in his way of becom– ing a successful and productive citizen. To achieve his goals, Stuart, a paraplegic who has been confined to a wheelchair for 12 years, obviously has to overcome obstacles not faced by many students. But thanks to East Central Community College, once impossible tasks like maneuvering

"I'm really appreciative of East Central for installing the chair lifts," Stuart said, who, like all lift users, is provided a key to operate the equip- ment When the key is inserted, a "door bell" like sound is made which signals the lift is about to be in use. Stuart, who broke his spine during a one-car accident on Jackson's Air– port Road in August, 1978, was a member of the Air Force at the time of his a cidenL A former security

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SCOTT COU\TY T HIES U~IOX APPEAL

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\VIKSTO~ COUNTY JOURNAL MERIDIAN STAR

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