the The Rubicon student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 50, Issue 7 - Apr. 22, 2025
Who has
access?
Where we have been and where we are going. IN DEPTH
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ACCESSIBILITY ADVANCEMENT. Distraction-free color palettes, simplified digital layouts, voice-activated doors, touchless light fixtures, sensory-friendly spaces with noise dampening and adjustable lighting are a few examples of ways technology has become more accessible for differently-abled people after years of advocacy efforts.
Access denied: the fight for inclusive design GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON
A wheelchair ramp in the choir room. Elevators located throughout the school. A ramp in Redleaf to get to the main first floor. These are instances of naturally integrated accessibility. This ensures that when a student is on crutches and can’t go up the flights of stairs, they can take the elevator. With accessible design, every person has equal
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access to all parts of the building. But accessible design was not and is not always a guarantee. In fact, it has a history of slow but steady change as people of all abilities fought to create environments that were inclusive and accessible for all. This history dates back to ancient times, with many well-documented instances over the last few centuries. According to a brief history by the
BOYCOTT? YES / NO Corporate boycotts because of DEI rollbacks send a message, but are they huring more than the bottom line? Read more in OPINIONS.
“
ELEVATORS ... ARE ... GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES.
senior Veronica Dixon
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University of Massachusetts, Formal schools were created for Dead and Deaf-Blind children in the 1800s. These schools prioritized those student’s needs in the classroom. In 1937, the bendy straw was invented by Joseph Friedman, who initially marketed it toward hospitals to help bedridden patients sit up more easily. The Architectural Barriers Act was signed into
SNEAKER STORIES
College Counseling Assistant Carey Otto joined the ranks of rookie collectors with a pair of Air Jordan 1s. Now? He’s a pro. Read more in FEATURE.
IN THIS ISSUE:
law in 1968. The law was created in an attempt to level the playing field for people of all physical abilities by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Johnson’s administration took the first dive into tackling accessibility on a federal scale. In 1982, the Access Board published minimum guidelines for accessible design, serving as the first set of in-depth guidelines and criteria for removing barriers in de-
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sign for differently abled people. Then in 1990, the system changed when the American Disabilities Act was passed. This banned discrimination beyond public jurisdiction and ensured access to all services, transportation and buildings for differently abled people. Story continued on pg. 8
VIEWING GIRLHOOD
Whether politics, education, health or fashion, museum-goers can choose their own adventure at the Minnesota History Center exhibit. Read more in A&E.
2-3 - News • 4-6 - Opinions • 7 - Good Question • 8-9 - In Depth
• 10-11 - Feature • 12-13 - Sports • 14-15 - A&E • 16 - Mixed Media