Designing for Everyone: How Accessibility Elevates All Spaces

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Jul 30

Written By Janelle Decarreau

Insights from the Center for Active Design Experts

From Marginalized to Mainstream

Progress towards equality for those with disabilities has been a steady process. A major milestone came in 1968 with the passage of the Architectural Barriers Act, which required all federally funded construction projects to meet accessibility standards, marking a significant leap in advancing accessibility in the built environment.

This momentum continued with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons in 1975, the American Disabilities Act in 1990, and the international publication of ISO/TR 9527 in 1994 (later updated to ISO 251542 in 2011 and again in 2021). What began as a movement to build equity for a marginalized group has become a standard with benefits for the entire population. Coined the “curb-cut effect” after the movement to increase sidewalk accessibility for wheelchair users, research shows that accommodations for some, typically end up creating benefits for all, far beyond the intended audience group.

In in the last decade, accessibility considerations have advanced beyond physical spaces. In 2010, the United States Congress adopted ADA’s design requirements for newly constructed commercial spaces. By 2019, the EU had passed the European Accessibility Act, now in effect, , setting standards for digital accessibility across products and websites. From closed captioning and shopping mall wayfinding stations to elevators and assisted listening devices, features have become so engrained in our environments that we may not even recall a time where they weren’t an option.

As we continue to learn how to create more inclusive environments, we’re proud that both the Fitwel v3 Standard (launched last year) and the upcoming Active Design Guidelines embody these strategies and continue to push the accessibility movement forward.

Accessibility in Action

Universal Design: Universal design or universal accessibility encompasses features we now think of as common-place in building design, from ramps at building entrances to automatic doors and clear signage with legible font size and color contrast. These basic features not only support those with disabilities, but also can support significant savings for future retrofitting. Universally accessible design is also included as a Fitwel strategy in the v3 Standard.

Bathroom Accessibility: Accessible restrooms have a diverse history as an accessibility and inclusion issue. Design features such as turn radius space in showers and grab bar handles are essential for the physically disabled, diaper changing station availability support parents, and family or gender neutral stall bathrooms support those who don’t identify within the gender binary. Research indicates that restroom maintenance, availability, and accessibility can be a determinant of people’s choice to go out of their home or not, especially for individuals with medical conditions that require frequent toilet use, such as diabetes or prostate conditions. Research shows that a lack of appropriate bathroom accessibility is associated with harmful mental health indicators among transgender and non-binary youth. Another example of the curb-cut effect is a non-gendered, single stall bathroom that can support families, individuals with bladder-related health conditions, as well as transgender and non-binary youth.

“Smarter” buildings: Similarly, the introduction of smart buildings has unlocked enormous potential for accessibility. Automated systems allowing occupants the capacity to easily optimize thermal, acoustic, and lighting comfort in their spaces supports the visually and auditorily impaired populations as well as those with medical conditions like MS or respiratory conditions that require certain temperature thresholds. Emergency response systems can ensure all groups are aware when an alarm sounds. This is one area where we can be sure our capacity to create more equitable and accessible environments is sure to grow.

Enhanced wayfinding: While mentioned above, wayfinding deserves its own call out for the tremendous impact it has across all populations, despite originating as a tool for those with disabilities. Wayfinding supports increased physical activity for all populations, but can be especially supportive for seniors or those with cognitive impairments. Wayfinding can also play a key role in safety and reduce stress and anxiety for individuals when navigating crowded or unfamiliar environments. Wayfinding is a core strategy in the Fitwel Standard for the benefits it has on building occupants and the public at large.
Curb cuts, tactile paving, and enhanced accessibility for active transit: The public sphere, from sidewalks and streets to public buses, have made significant progress in promoting accessibility. Curb cuts, or the on-ramps common at sidewalk intersections, not only benefit wheelchair users but also cyclists, individuals with strollers, delivery personnel, and more. This small change, prompted by the wheelchair community, has had profound positive impacts on society. Similar wide-spread benefits can be seen for the tactile paving at intersections and on stairs and the low floor and wider entrance doors on public buses. Ensuring accessibility reaches beyond individual buildings and spaces and onto the street and into public transit is a key way to creating a more inclusive and connected built environment.

What’s Next?

Technology and advocacy has moved accessibility from a “nice to have” to a codified element of design. What began as ensuring those in wheelchairs could navigate buildings and spaces has expanded to digital, sesnory, and social inclusion.

Already, offices are investing in technology to build sensory inclusive space to support neurodiversity, recognizing the role these strategies play in employee retention and productivity. Similarly, parks and commercial spaces utilize strategies such as sensory-friendly environments, flexible furniture, and biophilic design to support inclusive co-existence. Artificial intelligence also holds promise, with concepts such as environment-adaptive wheelchairs and tools that assist those with memory impairments.

The progress made in the last half century is worth celebration. As accessibility becomes integrated into more mainstream regulations and practice, particularly with recognition in the Fitwel Standard and the Active Design Guidelines, we are only seeing the beginning of the benefits these changes will bring. The next time you walk off a curb cut, experience a family or gender neutral restroom, or even use wayfinding to navigate a new space, it’s important to remember the massive efforts marginalized groups undertook to make these inclusive spaces possible.

As we close out Disability Pride Month, let’s carry that momentum forward, continuing to prioritize equity, inclusion, and health in every space we create.

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Janelle Decarreau

Designing for Everyone: How Accessibility Elevates All Spaces

Insights from the Center for Active Design Experts

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