Schools and Universities: Aynor High School, an Ascension Wheelchair Lift Case Study
Project Summary
- Challenge: Fit easy-to-install, ADA-compliant access into a renovation project for a school auditorium
- Solution: Ascension Virtuoso vertical wheelchair lift with a compression toolkit and battery backup
- Result: Compact access to the stage that didn’t require excavation.
School Overview
Established in 1913, Aynor High School serves approximately 1,000 students in Aynor, South Carolina. The school’s vision is “to be a premier, world-class school in which every student acquires an excellent education.”
Challenge
Aynor High School partnered with Monteith Construction on a major renovation that included the school auditorium. One of the project’s goals was to provide all students with equitable access to the stage using a modern solution that met applicable accessibility requirements. The challenges the team faced were this:
- Minimize the disruption to the renovation
- Avoid excavation for a lift pit or space for an entry ramp
- Integrate the accessibility solution into the auditorium design
Monteith found Ascension online and reached out to the team for more information.
Solution
Aynor High School and Monteith Construction selected an Ascension Virtuoso 5460FG. Its compact footprint allowed the lift to fit into the auditorium without consuming unnecessary space. And its pit-less, ramp-less design provided flush entry and exit without requiring excavation for under-platform machinery.
The school also selected a battery backup and compression tool kit to support reliable operation and maintenance. The lift’s low-profile design helps it integrate with the auditorium rather than detract from the surrounding space.
Results
The Virtuoso is now actively used for school events and performances, providing access to the auditorium stage for students and others who cannot use the stairs. Its compact design maintains the appearance of the renovated auditorium while providing the accessibility the school needed.
By choosing a pit-less solution, Aynor High School and Monteith Construction were able to incorporate stage access into the renovation without the additional excavation that a conventional pit installation would have required. The result is an accessibility solution that supports participation while fitting naturally into the school’s renovated space.