ADA- The Importance of Incorporating Accessibility
The ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, was not around when I was a kid. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the Department of Justice Act was established to ensure access to buildings for people with disabilities.
23 Inches of Snow in One Night!
Remember the Chicago Blizzard of 1967? Striking northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, the storm dumped a record-setting 23 inches – it was the best snow day of my childhood! Until I broke my leg above and below the knee while sliding down a snow hill. For 5 months, I used a wheelchair to get around. My activities were pretty much restricted to home because my school and most buildings at that time were not handicapped accessible. I didn’t realize then how much my short time using a wheelchair would give me a glimpse at understanding the challenges people with mobility restrictions face on a daily basis.
Building Access, Thanks to the ADA
Thankfully, most schools and other commercial and public buildings are handicapped accessible now. Since the enactment of ADA in 1992, building codes have incorporated the guidelines of the Act. Although wheelchair use gets the majority of public attention, access guidelines address other disabilities as well. The guidelines are also designed to provide access for those with sensory, visual, hearing, speech and other physical limitations.
Architects incorporate accessibility concepts into every public and commercial building design. All aspects of buildings, from signage to emergency warning systems to doors are considered. We refer to the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The ADA Standards establishes design requirements for the construction and alteration of facilities subject to the law.
Key ADA Provisions
Here are some of the primary building areas that are impacted by the ADA:
- Parking Lots
Dedicated handicapped accessible parking spaces are close to building entrances. They are wider than other parking spaces and include an aisle for safe egress.
- Building Entrances
As a kid, I remember being especially frustrated that I couldn’t get into buildings. Now building entrances have multiple layers of accessibility. These include accessible doors, ramps, landings, hardware and more.
- Restrooms
If you’ve tried to use a standard public restroom while using a wheelchair or walker, you know how hard that can be. Fortunately, handicapped accessible restrooms provide handicapped-appropriate room sizes, turning radiuses and accessories such as grab bars. Light switches, paper towel dispensers and other wall-mounted items are now at a reachable height.
- Corridors
Narrow corridors are tough to navigate when you’re using a wheelchair. Wider corridors allow users to move easily without bumping into obstacles. Users are now able to turn and change direction.
- Stairs
Since the ADA, stairs are wider and easier to navigate. Consideration is given to signage, tactile surfaces, handrail extensions, etc. Each stair in a public or commercial space also has an “area of refuge” for wheelchair users in case of a fire.
I experienced first-hand how difficult building access can be for those with disabilities. Using a wheelchair as a child was a valuable, if painful, experience – it helped me to understand the importance of incorporating accessibility into all of our building projects. Since the launch of the ADA, those with handicaps are now better able to access and use buildings, thus becoming more integrated into society.
