Red Tape Hampers Proposal for Vocational Students to Build Handicapped Ramps at Norwood High-September 3, 1981

An imposing labyrinth of state and federal rules and regulations threatens to derail a proposal to enlist Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry students to construct handicap-accessible wheelchair ramps at Norwood High School. The initiative was raised by the school committee in response to the upcoming enrollment of two wheelchair-bound students for the new academic year.

Blue Hills Superintendent Charles Brennan confirmed receipt of the committee’s request, stating a sincere desire to assist. However, he cautioned that public sector projects of this nature are bound by stringent multi-level regulations. Under federal guidelines, public projects exceeding $2,000 may mandate worker’s compensation coverage for student laborers, while state competitive bidding laws present additional procedural hurdles. Brennan noted that the vocational carpentry department head will confer with Norwood school officials after the start of the term to explore the project’s feasibility.

Meanwhile, Norwood School Superintendent Louis J. Taris informed the committee that even if successful, vocational students could only tackle a fraction of the comprehensive structural modifications required to make the entire facility fully accessible. Although the New England Association of Schools and Colleges has recommended accessibility upgrades, Taris estimated that a total overhaul could cost as much as $800,000. Nevertheless, Taris assured the committee that necessary accommodations are in place to ensure enrolled students confined to wheelchairs can successfully attend classes this year.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger