The Image of Accessibility

By Susan Ruptash

Will the beginning of the 21st century mark a new era in our embracing of universal design? We are entering a new period in the evolution of attitude toward the acceptance and integration of accessibility in our built environment.

Many years ago, the prime focus of accessibility was on functional and tangible aspects: elimination of, or alternatives to, steps (ramps, lifts, elevators); provision of adequate clearances (door and corridor widths, wheelchair turning space, size of washroom cubicles); and physical assistance devices (lever hardware, grab bars). The majority of the solutions were targeted towards people with mobility limitations. More specifically, most solutions assumed a person used a wheelchair and had full upper body strength and full range of motion.

In recent years, it has become apparent that the general population encompasses a far broader and more diverse range of disabilities including mobility, agility, visual, hearing, speech and cognitive disabilities. There has also been an increased focus on people with environmental or chemical sensitivities. And the increased use of alternate forms of mobility assistance such as electrically powered scooters and stair climbers have further diversified the needs that must be considered and accommodated.

Although the provision of the functional aspects of accessibility continues to meet resistance from some people, others have moved forward to consider the more advanced concerns of how to integrate accessible features in the overall fabric in such a manner as to enhance our built world. Architects, interior designers and product manufacturers have offered glimmers of hope through innovative design that makes accessible features a bonus rather than a burden.

The evolution of our attitude has been accompanied by changes in our language. The words "accessible" and "barrier free" describe positive conditions of the environment rather than focusing on people’s disabilities. The term "universal design" goes further, in that it implies a general attitude towards considering and including open and free access from the conceptual design phase rather than reacting later to physical barriers created through an exclusionary attitude.

Diversification has also been acknowledged in the symbols of accessibility. The internationally accepted symbol for accessibility has long been the wheelchair. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has adopted the use of a series of four symbols that better represent the range of people with disabilities.

Another interesting aspect of our changing views involves moving people’s focus away from regulatory control toward a positive embracing of accessibility. The current regulations in Canada are not particularly onerous or restrictive. In reaction to this, some provinces, municipalities and private corporations have enacted their own, more prescriptive, standards and policies.

In 1992, the "Americans with Disabilities Act" (ADA) became law in the United States, imposing very broad and far-reaching requirements. Of particular note is that the ADA requires compliance of both new and existing facilities. In the past, most legislation has allowed partial or total exemption for existing facilities. Also, the ADA requires not just that people with disabilities be accommodated, but that their access be fully integrated, therefore requiring access to be provided in the same manner in which it is provided to all people.

The introduction of the ADA was followed by reactions from property owners and managers, the design community and the general public. Much of early discussion focused on applicability and enforcement rather than on the positive aspects of the ADA. Many people expressed concern that this focus would channel already limited funding toward fighting the requirements rather than improving access. Some clients expressed the usual concerns of extra costs and restraints, while at the same time arguing that their particular user base did not require access -- not acknowledging the marketing opportunities they may have overlooked. Luckily, others realized the good business sense of satisfying people who make up a significant portion of the customer base. And some designers welcomed the challenge as an opportunity to show how designing for special needs could enhance rather than undermine good design.

In Canada, the regulatory enforcement of accessibility is less defined. The "Canadian Human Rights Act" spells out, in very broad terms, that individuals shall not be discriminated against due to a disability. Each province has an associated act that deals with provincial and private issues. The problem of this regulation, however, both for property owners and for users, is that it is very general in its requirements and therefore open to much interpretation. Property owners are unclear what is required of them; users are unsure what can be expected. In addition, rather than lay out a series of definitive requirements, the act provides a vehicle for the filing of complaints. Provincial building codes go a step further by prescribing specific physical parameters that must be adhered to. However, these codes generally apply only to new buildings or those undergoing major renovations, not to existing buildings. And these codes address very few accessibility needs. Although some provincial codes include requirements related to visual and hearing disabilities, most address only mobility issues.

The most comprehensive standard in Canada, the "Canadian Standards Association CAN/CSA B651-M90 Barrier Free Design," is not currently a requirement in any jurisdiction. Some municipalities and corporations have chosen to adopt it as their minimum requirements.

Building product manufacturers were among the first to pursue aggressively the design of not just functional but attractive accessible products. Lever-design hardware has been the standard in Europe for many years; in the past, the most attractive and durable examples were from Europe, prohibiting cost and availability. Years ago, North American hardware suppliers offered only a few lever designs at premium prices and, while functional, they were not of particularly attractive design. But as the demand grew, manufacturers responded with more choice, competitive pricing and more attention to design. As a result, lever hardware is now commonly used in many applications, not just those where there is an obvious special need.

Sinks and faucets provide another example of this evolution. For many years, each manufacturer offered a single design for accessibility, often a design that originally had been created for institutional or hospital use. As a result, designers and users were reluctant to use accessible products unless they were specifically required. But recent designs of sinks and faucets have incorporated functional requirements in such a manner as to create graceful and attractive products that are being installed by choice of design, not necessarily for their functional aspects.

Architects and designers can take cues from the forward thinking of these product designers. The provision of accessibility need not be a burden on design but can be embraced as an opportunity to enhance the built environment for all users. There are thousands of publications and books addressing the functional and ergonomic aspects of barrier-free design. However, there are very few that deal with the imagery and aesthetic of accessibility. A recent book, "Beautiful Barrier Free: A Visual Guide to Accessibility," by Cynthia Liebrock (Van Nostrand Rienhold), provides a visually stunning review of accessible products and designs in a wide range of uses.

Some designers are now using the requirements of universal design facilities as opportunities to showcase the way seamless integration of accessible features can improve an overall project. For example, Quadrangle Architects routinely specifies a lavatory sink that was originally offered as a barrier-free product. We found that the elegant design of the sink and sensibility of the elongated single-lever handle faucet had benefits beyond the barrier-free requirements. We also specify lever-handle hardware in many projects, both commercial and residential, due to the ease of use and improved appearance.

The changing image of barrier-free design is important in that it will help lead to the inclusion of more accessible features in the design of our built environment, above and beyond any forthcoming changes in regulations. All people, regardless of ability or special needs, will benefit from the impacts of universal design.

(Susan Ruptash, B. Arch., OAA, AIA, is an Associate and Project Architect at Quadrangle Architects Ltd. She can be reached in Toronto at (416) 598-1240.)