The millions of dollars donated to the recent renovations of Sun Devil stadium will not only boost the student section and offer more concession stands, but it will greatly enhance disability accommodations for an improved game-day experience for all Sun Devils.
Read More: Saturday's game against Cal Poly debuts new student section
After renovations, there will be wheelchair ramps into all stands and wheel chair accessible restrooms at the completion of all the renovations, Maggie Emmons, Corporate Communications Specialist for Sun Devil Athletics, wrote in an email.
"Sun Devil Athletics is bringing Sun Devil Stadium up to ADA compliance and beyond," Emmons wrote. "Sun Devil Athletics has worked each year to retrofit the building, but now with reinvention we can recreate the stadium to make a better experience for all fans."
At the end of the three phases, fans will be able to maneuver through the stadium without the use of ramps, she wrote. Emmons wrote that Sun Devil Athletics listened to limited mobility employees and will incorporate their suggestions into the renovation plans.
"Sun Devil Athletics is still early in the reinvention process so it’s not in its finalized and we are asking our fan base to be patient with us,” she wrote.
Education graduate student Ashley Heimbach, who is paraplegic, wrote in an email that she is pleased to hear about a portion of the renovations being dedicated to improved accessibility, as her football experience after her time as an undergraduate has been less than enjoyable.
“As a student, I was treated with respect and honestly catered to when it was game day," she wrote. "I used to be able to sit on the field and not have to worry about those awful ramps or finding a seat where I could actually view the game. As an alumni, I'm completely away from anyone and can barely see the field with the overhang from the above level.”
Even though there are improved physical accommodations, the process by which students can claim tickets is not accessible by all. Heimbach added that waiting in a ticket line for hours is not realistic for her to get better seats.
“While my needs are not as significant as others with disabilities, I do have higher expectations as an alumni (and a current graduate student) to a university's athletic program,” she wrote.
Cory Hahn, a former ASU baseball player who became quadriplegic after a tragic accident in the third game of his college career, wrote in an email he also has mixed feelings about the current accommodations. He is looking forward to the renovations making for an easier experience within the stadium.
“As for the stadium itself, the tough part is all the hills and slopes leading to my seats. It made it impossible for me to ever go to a game alone. Also, the bathrooms were not always up to par accessibility-wise,” Hahn wrote. “Other than those things, I usually never had a problem with the accessibility of my tickets or viewing the actual game itself.”
Isaac Miller, president of Tempe Undergraduate Student Government, wrote in an email that he feels it is important for ASU and all aspects of University activities to be inclusive of everyone.
“I think that the experience of ASU athletics is definitely expanding to more than just football games,” Miller wrote. “And improvement in access for students with disabilities, I think, means more support for every student, and it means that we're not just compliant with regulations to include everyone. We're committed to them.”
Related Links:
Regents approve Sun Devil Stadium renovation project, discuss financial aid
ASU athletics releases revised look at Sun Devil Stadium renovation project
Reach the reporter at jmbradf1@asu.edu or follow @jmbradford on Twitter.
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