A rainbow connection for campus access

Friday, 17 February 2006

The University of Adelaide this week officially opens its visually stunning, rainbow-coloured external lift, providing a 24-hour, universally accessible and highly visible route through different levels of the campus.

The central campus access lift will be opened by the Hon. Jay Weatherill, Minister for Disability, at a celebration on Friday, 17 February.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha said: "We are particularly proud of this lift for its magnificent architecture and the way it successfully connects the old with the new; modernity building on history which characterises many aspects of our University.

"But, much more than that, this lift shows the University of Adelaide's genuine commitment to providing equity of access to all its students, staff and visitors."

The University's North Terrace campus is built on the escarpment of the River Torrens and has three distinct levels. The previous route for physically disabled people was circuitous and even more difficult after hours.

The new lift is part of the University's Disability Action Plan, which provides an ongoing framework for the University to achieve practical and equitable solutions for disability access issues. As well as opening up the main north/ south route - allowing people to cut through the campus from North Adelaide to the city - it assists access across the campus.

The University is embarking on a significant program of works over the next few years and disability and universal access issues will be an integral part of the planning process.

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