Facilities Management began repairs on once-dilapidated walkway indicators to aid in leading the way for the visually impaired on campus.

The once yellow, detectable warning tiles extending along the walkways from Mariposa Hall to Eureka Hall are being replaced in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) codes.

The ADA not only upholds the rights of disabled Americans, but the Act appropriates walkway and restroom standards in which public agencies must comply. According to ADA, the Sacramento State campus pedestrian walkways should be lined with the appropriate markers to indicate the edge of the walkways.

“The goal is to find all of the damaged areas and make it ADA compliant,” said Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Mathew Altier.

The first phase of this project is underway, Altier said. The project was selected for the Thanksgiving week to ensure minimal conflict with pedestrian traffic.

The raised texture of the tiles gives a visually impaired individual the ability to locate a major walkway without question, as well as ample notification to others passing through.

The tiles function much like guardrails on the freeway and it prevents what English major Eve Woods Maitland refers to as “veering off into oblivion.”

Maitland is grateful for the upgrade, but expressed concern over the adhesive used to hold down the previous set of tiles.

“The adhesive used before tends to expand and contract in hot and cold weather,” said Maitland. “With the elements of weather constantly wearing down these tiles, I hope that an alternate solution arises.”

Biondi Paving, who has been contracted for the project, will not use adhesives. Instead, the tiles will be formed directly with the concrete. This tactic will increase the longevity of the tiles and decrease the likelihood of constant replacement.

Funding for ADA-related issues falls under a specific category of funding.

According to Altier, a percentage of the construction money allocated to Facilities Management by the university is used specifically toward ADA compliance upgrades under the Minor Capital Outlay Fund.

Unable to disclose exact figures, Altier said the walkway project accounts for 20 percent of the Minor Capital Outlay Fund of Facilities Management.

Examples of ADA compliance can be seen all around campus. Earlier in the semester, the University Union renovated both first and second floor restrooms with ADA compliance at the top of the list for the projects.

The walkways are the vital arteries of this campus and demand the attention they are receiving. Plans to line the entire campus walkways with tiles will be considered once all of the damaged sections are repaired.