Blue Tape Spotted on Campus

BY OLIVIA WEBSTER

Photo Credit: Niche

Walking around Stonehill’s campus, people are noticing blue tape lining some building steps, the latest move by the college to accommodate students who have trouble seeing. 

The tape was placed at buildings including Cushing Martin Hall, Duffy Academic Building, and the library to help the student. 

Jill Goddard, director of Communications and Media Relations, explained what the blue tape does. 

“Students may see blue tape on steps of certain buildings designed to create a greater contrast of color for those who may have visual impairments,” Goddard said in an e-mail. 

The tape on the concrete could be beneficial to those with visual impairments and others who may not notice the contrast on the white steps. 

Goddard said the blue tape followed an accommodations request which came through the  Accessibility Services team who worked with the Facilities Department to address it.  

She said this highlights the steps the college takes to help students.  

“The College is deeply committed to providing a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive learning and living environment for all. Students are encouraged to reach out to Accessibility Services if they would like to request accommodations.” 

Alana Clark, the assistant general counsel and civil rights and Title IX coordinator, said this was just one of many things done to make the school as accessible as possible. 

“I know our office worked with facilities to determine the location of the tape where it’s needed,” Clark said. 

She said the college often works with facilities. 

“Facilities are phenomenal in thinking about how to make Stonehill more accessible and responsive,” Clark said. 

Some other accommodations made for students have included air conditioning, being on the first floor of a dorm building/close to certain buildings, and medical parking. 

Students can also get letters of accommodation for schoolwork. Some of these accommodations include extra time on exams, a quiet classroom environment for exams, and being able to have access to all class notes and PowerPoints.  

Stonehill College Accessibility Resources as well as Stonehill Facilities makes it their goal to have every student accommodated on campus, no matter the case,” Clark said. 

“Blue tape is one way to try to make the campus more accessible, like the sidewalks and wheelchair ramps. Stonehill is always improving and thinking about how our campus can be more accessible,” Clark said.