They say when one door closes, another opens, but that isn’t always the case when it comes to accessibility on campus. At the University of Utah, senior Ada Popham is taking an innovative approach to ensuring that doors — both literal and figurative — are open for everyone.
Popham, a fine arts major with an emphasis in book arts, has dedicated her time to advocating for improved accessibility on campus. Her dedication to accessibility became even more personal when her older brother became an amputee after an accident. “Accessibility has always been a concern of mine,” Popham said. “Since it was already one of those things I cared about, I could see it firsthand and care for it even more.”
Popham has amassed a portfolio of projects documenting inaccessible doors on campus using photography to highlight barriers and promote inclusivity. What started as a personal observation has transformed into a movement, inspiring fellow students to take action. “Seeing students get excited and proactive about finding solutions has been really rewarding,” she said.
She actively shares her work with the Center for Disability and Access, hoping to drive meaningful change. “I hope to help future students on campus,” she said. “Even if I don’t get to see it I’d love to hopefully have it happen.”
Through her projects and advocacy, Popham continues to highlight specific doorhandle inaccessibility on campus in hopes of raising awareness of an issue she believes is simple to fix and could create welcoming spaces and remove barriers.
More articles like this in ‘Student Innovation @ the U!’
Find this article and a lot more in the 2025 “Student Innovation @ the U” report. The publication is presented by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute to celebrate student innovators, change-makers, and entrepreneurs.
