Michigan Tech Athletic Staff Praised For Making Facilities More Accessible

Michigan Tech Athletics and Recreation was honored with Accessibility Awards last week at the inaugural Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit.

Aquatics Manager Ann Bengry received an individual award for her work in the SDC Pool. In her time, Tech has been able to add accessible steps into the lap pool and has started an adaptive swimming group. Since arriving to Tech in 2020, Bengry has been able to make the locker rooms and pool deck accessible for all members of the student body and community.

The staff within the Student Development Complex was honored for the progress made in recent years to make the SDC a great place for everyone. Trails Operation Coordinator Brian Isaksson was recognized for adjusting the plowing and grooming at the Tech Trails to make it easier for adaptive sit skis to get on the trails. Custodian Derek Butkovich received acknowledgment for his early morning work in the winter, making sure the parking lot and entrance to the SDC are free of snow to make the building accessible to all. Senior Associate Athletic Director Joel Isaacson was honored for his leadership around accessibility at the SDC, providing space for adaptive sports activities like the community sled hockey event and the Upper Peninsula Invitational.

UPAS Accessibility Awards pay tribute and recognize businesses, organizations, local units of government, projects, and individuals in our community who have made the Copper Country more accessible. These contributions have made a lasting impact on our area.

The inaugural Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit took place at the Rozsa Center on Sept. 26-27. It was put on by the Accessible Keweenaw Initiative, a coalition of community organizations and subject matter experts. The summit included panels with disabled people about their lived experiences, building standards, universal design, or living with autism. Friday, attendees heard about accessible travel and life in the Upper Peninsula as a disabled person. Friday’s keynote speaker was Robin Jones, director of the Great Lakes Americans with Disabilities Act Center in Chicago.