Franklin High School students with disabilities have an easier time getting around now that the school has a dedicated vehicle to get them from class to class in a timely manner.
Franklin High’s campus is spread out over a large tract of land with multiple changes in elevation and plenty of stairs and other obstacles to deal with. While many students may not consider this challenging, those with mobility issues have quite a gauntlet to navigate during each day’s class changes. Someone who depends on a walker, cane or wheelchair might spend 20 minutes multiple times a day getting from point A to point B.
“For a lot of our students, by the time they get to PE, getting there is their PE,” teacher Sherri Houston said.
To remedy this issue, the school system’s exceptional children’s department purchased a modified Polaris 6x6 all-terrain vehicle. They were also able to set up a garage for the vehicle thanks to donations from Countryside Chevrolet and KL Metals and some assembly work from the school’s metal shop students. The mobility quad is large enough to seat four people at once with additional space for wheelchairs and it comes with wheelchair accessible safety features like ramps and extra seatbelts.
“It’s exactly like what they would have on a school bus for a wheelchair,” said Cristy Passmore, exceptional children program specialist.
The quad is an indispensable source of help for students with long-term mobility issues, but they’re not the only ones who can use the quad. It can also make a difference for students with short-term problems, like student athletes coming off injuries. Teacher Rodney Vanhook says that foot and leg injuries have been prevalent for much of the school year and that those kids are more likely to get to class on time with this option.
“We’ve been seeing more and more kids with foot and leg issues lately,” Vanhook said. “We’re pretty spread out here, so this makes a difference.”
Whatever their reason for taking a ride on the quad, it’s turned one of the most stressful parts of the day for many at Franklin High School into one of the most enjoyable.
“It’s fun,” said Jonathon Collier, a student who regularly rides the quad. “It relaxes you.”