Morton East is accessible to all who attend.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there must be wheelchair access in schools.  All classrooms must be wheelchair accessible as well. This includes the installation of an elevator in two or more-story school buildings.  Also, 2 percent of the seating in the school must be able to accommodate a wheelchair by a height clearance of at least 31 inches.  But, accessibility goes beyond wheelchair access.  Recently, on September 2, Governor Pritzker signed the Illinois House Bill 26 which made digital content on third-party curriculum used in K-12 schools fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Morton East implements designs and renovations to the school with their students with special needs in mind, so that they can get around the school with comfort.

We asked one of Morton East’s students with special needs if they had any issues moving around school and this is what he had to say.

“(I do) not really (have much difficulty) except for when I usually leave class a little later (because the halls are more crowded), but other than that, no problems,”  senior Charlie Jenkins said.

When asked about the changes that could be made to make the school more accessible this is what he had to say.

“No, none that I could think of,” Charlie Jenkins said.

We asked Charlie if there were any annoyances when getting around school.

“(It’s frustrating) when there are crowds of students in the halls that don’t move; there have been times where I almost run them over because they don’t move in time,” Charlie Jenkins said.

Here is a teacher’s opinion on Morton’s progress towards accessibility for all.

“On the inside, in the last 20 years, Morton East has become more accessible for people with special needs,” English teacher Mr. Asay said.