Taking Accessible design a step further

I recently read an article on the Modus website by Tyler Yearling Hively, regarding universal design and it reminded me of some of the challenges I deal with in my job. As Architects we are supposed to address accessibility in buildings and spaces, and the question sometimes arises as to how far we should take the requirements for access. What if we take the question of accessibility a step further?

Sometimes spaces, elements or buildings that we define as accessible are not truly so.

For example, consider the ramp on a building exterior that leads up to the building entrance. It has all the right elements - the gentle sloping 1:20 grade, the handrails on both sides of the ramp at the right height, and the landings in the right locations. It is a compliant ramp. However, taking it a step further, consider the lack of toe-kick on both sides. A person in a wheelchair could by mistake, push a wheel of their chair over the edge of the ramp that has no toe-kick, hence creating a dangerous condition. As Architects we might want to keep our designs “clean” and “uncluttered” , but we must think about our charge to provide accessible places and spaces for all, and strive to address every scenario and provide the best solution possible. it might mean adding in the extra element to make it safe for all people.

Or what about a emergency call station on a university campus? It is meant to be accessible by all users in the general area that might need it in an emergency. That station is equipped with a push button, and a handset. To use it, push the button and pick up the handset to speak with an emergency responder on the other end. Accessible? Not quite. A person that is hard of hearing cannot hear what the emergency responder might be saying to them, and a person that cannot speak, cannot communicate with the emergency responder. Having a TTY - text telephone or telecommunication device as part of the station could help address this challenge.

The article I read challenged us to approach design with a universal approach. A universal approach would ensure that good design could serve all people. It’s not about checking a box, but about going a step further.

Let’s try that on the next project.