Bedford High School - Epic Yearbook (Bedford, OH)

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Complying With federal laws results in new ramps at Bedford TESTING. Immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. October 16. Brent Bradley (in his electric wheel chair) tot lows Kim Knorr for his first official ride down the Berwyn entrance ramp SUPPORT. To form the appropriate incline and give added support, a ramp builder sets the cross piece into the subTlooring. CUTTING. At the top of the South Wing ramp, which is finally ready for use. Mr Wat lace Murray uses the ceremonial scissors while Kim Knorr simultaneously cuts the rit bon with a smaller pair According to Kim. watching herself on TV “was very exciting By Installing three new ramps for persons confined to wheelchairs, Bedford High School has com- piled with a Federal law which states that all pub- lic buildings must be acceslble to handicapped per sons. Other students took advantage of these new facilities, as well as Kim Knorr and Brent Bradley, the two wheelchair students. According to Ann Hamilton, Communications Coordinator, The Bedford Board thought of first Install- ing elevators or chairlifts, but decided that the ramps would be more economical. Being economical was not the only reason for choosing the ramps over the chairlifts. She added. If we built chairlifts there would be times when they would break down, and we would have to keep paying out money to have them fixed. With the ramps, you wouldn’t have to pay much to have them fixed. The cost of building the ramps was “It was very uncomfortable for me, because after every class, someone had to help me down the stairs . . a total of $81,400, of which two thousand was given by the government, and $79,400 was provided by the school system. All the advertising for the construction of the ramps was handled by Donald Wellamyer. The architect hired to design the ramps was Richard Edberg, and Dunlop and Johnson Inc., were the contractors who built them. Actual construction of the ramps began in August 1980, and was completed in the final weeks of Sep- tember. Wallace Murray, Executive Director of Pupil Ser vices stated that the contractors had a few problems. He commented. The builders had to tear out the floor in the area by the Home Ec rooms completely, and make a new foundation for reinforcement. After the new ramps were installed. Kim Knorr com- mented, Before they were built. I had to use the stair ways. she continued. It was very uncomfortable for me, because after every class, someone had to help me down the stairs. Besides, It took too much time for me to take the stairway. 20 Ramps for Handicapped

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■ EXHAUSTED. Taking an afternoon break in the 100 weather Bedford High Junior John Adams relaxes by rolling window putty ASP helped the Gibbons, who had to move back to the hill because their house in Illinois burnt down. according to Rich Hines Sacrificing The Comforts of Home for a Construction Job in Frogtown We go to our brothers and WE ACCEPT THEM, RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE. AND JUST THE WAY THEY ARE is the basis for the Appalachian Service Project. Twenty youth and adults from the Bed ford First United Methodist Church helped repair the homes of poverty-stricken people in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. LuAnn Morrison thought participating In ASP was worthwhile because It helps people who can’t help themselves. Some friends thought I was strange for doing it with- out getting paid. remarked Roberta Davis. Instead, the youth group spent one year raising the necessary $2000 before leaving on July 12, 1980. The money— used for room and board, transportation and sup- plies—was acquired via a rockothon, slave days, church dinners and donations. said Paula Kibelbek. Earning money was not the only preparation needed “We practiced by helping with construction in the church, such as drywalling the bathroom . . . before heading south. We had sessions that helped us learn about the people, how they felt about us. and the work we would be doing. remarked Roberta Da vis. Morrison, a third-year ASP veteran, continued. We practiced by helping with construction in the church, such as drywalling and ‘mudding’ the bathroom. Even though each person paid $45.00 to stay in Plppa Passes for a week, the group was quartered in a condemned high school. Rats would have a hard time living there! exclaimed Ben Jarvis, who got mono because of the damp and wet conditions. The girls’ room, although far from damp, also left much to be desired. Paula Kibelbek recalled. We got suffocat ed with dust if we hit the mattresses, and there were only two showers for about six million girls. Before we started working on the new house, the family felt apprehensive, commented Rev. Jim Foster, a leader of one of Bedford’s three groups. Lisa Toth added, The families got to know that someone cares about them. Appalachian Service Project 19

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Ramps for Handicapped