RELEASE ON RECEIPT





Breaking Down Barriers
U.VA. MAKES PLAYING FIELDS ACCESSIBLE 
TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

        CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Oct. 1 -- The University of Virginia has 
"leveled" its playing fields for everyone.   Students, faculty members, 
and sports fans with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs, can now 
move around the University's soccer and football fields, tennis courts,
baseball diamonds and swimming pools without hassle.
        The move to tackle what was once a shortcoming for sports enthusiasts 
who are physically challenged makes the University among one of the first in 
the nation to be almost 100 percent in providing for, and thus empowering, 
people who are physically challenged, says Bill Bohn, a project manager with 
facilities management. At some events, fans who are hearing impaired have 
access to listening aid devices that will allow them to tune in to activities 
on the field.
        "We have removed all barriers," says Bohn, adding, "and it is done so 
well, if you are not disabled, you will not notice the changes."
        The kick-off to make U.Va.'s intermural and athletic facilities more 
user friendly began in 1991, soon after passage of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, which requires employers, schools, and 
government agencies to provide not only architectural access to their
premises, but also to provide alternative aids and services for people too 
long excluded from jobs, education and training.
        Rated a Division 1 school by the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association, U.Va. offers about 23 sports programs and hosts scores of 
competitive games throughout the academic year.  Last year alone, for example, 
more than 500,000 sports fans attended home games, and while most
of them where not physically impaired, the fans who were, were not entirely 
"shut out."
        "We didn't realize the number of spectators and fans that were 
excluded until we started making the ramps and facilities more accessible," 
says Pat Lampkin, associate vice president for student affairs, and an ADA 
coordinator. "Now, everyone can participate."
        In addition to the football and soccer fields and basketball courts, 
stadiums were upgraded to include strategically located seatings on every 
level, elevators were installed to accommodate a wheelchair or two, and 
restrooms and bleachers were more clearly marked for the physically
disabled.  Officials are particularly proud of facilities at the North 
Grounds and at the state-of-the art Aquatics and Fitness Center, where the 
swimming pool has wheelchair ramps and the pool is temperature controlled.  
The Park at North Grounds, site of many intermural activities and
community outings, was also built with the disabled in mind.
                               ###
                                                   September 30, 1997
        For more information, call Pat Lampkin, associate vice president 
for student affairs, at (804) 924-7984.  Television reporters should call 
U.Va. TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.