Introduction
Creating an accessible and inclusive environment is essential for supporting individuals with disabilities. Introducing accessibility measures into a building can significantly benefit these individuals and make the building more inclusive. This article lists ten things you can do to make your building accessible, arranged in order of difficulty, with the easiest items first. Solutions range from simple and affordable solutions like installing grab bars and ADA-compliant door hardware to more complex and expensive retrofits such as upgrading elevators.
Whether you’re seeking to make small changes or undergoing a complete accessibility overhaul, this list will help you to improve the accessibility of your building.
#1. Install grab bars
Grab bars are simple yet effective hardware that provides additional support for individuals who need help with balance and stability when using a lavatory. They are typically installed near the toilet and in the shower or bathtub to provide additional support when getting up or sitting down.
Grab bars can be made of various materials, including metal, plastic, fiberglass, and composites. They are available in multiple sizes and styles to suit different needs and preferences. The ADA Standards (ADAS) provide specific lengths and clearances for mounting grab bars to ensure compliance. They can be easily installed by a handyperson or contractor and are a relatively inexpensive way to make a building or facility more accessible.
By installing grab bars, you can provide a safer and more supportive environment for individuals with mobility impairments, reducing the risk of falls and promoting independence.
Difficulty Rating: Low
Installing grab bars is a straightforward process that can be done with minimal disruption to the building and its occupants by a handyperson or a contractor. The only challenge may be determining the right size and type of grab bar for each application, but this is a relatively minor issue that is easily addressed by consulting the ADAS or other applicable accessibility standards.
#2. Upgrade door hardware
Installing compliant lever handles, setting appropriate door pressures, and creating low-threshold doorways will make it easier for individuals with disabilities to enter and exit the building.
Lever handles are easier to use than round knobs and are specified for individuals with limited hand dexterity. Low-threshold doorways reduce the step height at doorways, making it easier for individuals with mobility impairments to enter and exit the building.
In addition to these specific features, it’s crucial to ensure that doorways are well-lit, easy to navigate, and have clear floor space for maneuvering. This includes providing ample space for a turning radius that is not obstructed by furniture or other obstacles.
Upgrading door hardware is important in making a building or facility accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. By providing accessible doorways, you can ensure that individuals with disabilities have safe and convenient access to all areas of the building.
Difficulty Rating: Low
Replacing doorknobs with lever handles and installing low-profile thresholds is usually a straightforward process that can be done with minimal cost and disruption.
#3. Provide assistive technology
Assistive technology in a building can significantly enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Automatic door openers are an effective solution for individuals with mobility impairments who may have difficulty opening doors. They activate by buttons or motion sensors, making it easier for individuals to enter and exit the building. Automatic doors must meet specific requirements, including smooth and continuous operation, adjustable activation force, and appropriate safety sensors.
Audio cues, such as verbal announcements or audible beeps, and enhanced visual cues, such as signage in large type, assist individuals with visual impairments in navigating the building. Tactile cues like braille signage help those with visual impairments. These cues can indicate the location of exits, elevators, and restrooms or provide information on the direction of travel.
Assistive technology can also improve the overall user experience, making the building more accessible, convenient, and user-friendly for all individuals.
Difficulty Rating: Low – Medium
Offering assistive technology, such as automatic door openers and audio/tactile cues, is a relatively straightforward process that may require some minor modifications or the skills of an electrician or qualified installer to complete.
#4. Add ramps to entrances and exits
Ramps provide a smooth, gradual incline that allows individuals using wheelchairs or walkers to easily enter and exit the building.
Ramps can be constructed of various materials, must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, need proper handrails for support, and should be slip-resistant to ensure safety. The ADAS and related accessibility codes specify requirements for ramp slope, width, landings, use of rails, and other features that provide accessibility and compliance.
Installing ramps can be more expensive and time-consuming than the hardware changes discussed previously, but they are crucial in providing accessible facilities for individuals with disabilities. Adding ramps to entrances and exits ensures that everyone can enter and exit the building safely and easily.
Difficulty Rating: Low – Medium
Depending upon the type of ramp and construction method, adding ramps to entrances and exits may require the use of a contractor and involve permits and inspections by local building code officials.
#5. Make doorways accessible
Accessible doorways are an essential aspect of making a building or facility accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. Doorways should be at least 32 inches wide to allow for easy passage of wheelchairs, and there are requirements for clear floor space and hinge- and latch-side clearances to allow for proper maneuvering. Local building codes and unique situations may indicate variations in these dimensions, so it’s important to consult the standards.
In addition to the width of doorways, accessibility considerations include the location of doors, the opening force required, and the door handle hardware. Doors should open easily with a maximum required force of five pounds and have lever-style handles that are easy to operate for persons with limited hand strength or dexterity.
By providing wide, accessible doorways, you can ensure that individuals with mobility impairments have safe and easy access to all areas of the building.
Difficulty Rating: Low – Medium
Making sure doorways are accessible is relatively straightforward, but if doorways must be widened or relocated to meet requirements, some demolition and construction may be needed.
#6. Provide clear and well-lit paths of travel
Clear and well-lit travel paths are needed to ensure that individuals with visual impairments can navigate a building or facility safely and easily. Pathways must be sufficiently wide and free of obstacles, with adequate lighting to allow for easy navigation. Accessibility codes specify the minimum width for paths of travel in various situations and indicate acceptable slopes and level changes to ensure persons with disabilities can navigate them safely.
As mentioned earlier, braille signage and audio cues to assist individuals with visual impairments should be provided on paths of travel. Braille signage should be placed near elevators, restrooms, and other key areas and should include the room number and the type of room. Audio cues can consist of spoken announcements, beep tones, or sound-emitting devices activated by pressing a button.
By making these accommodations, you can ensure that everyone can navigate through the building or facility safely and easily.
Difficulty Rating: Low – Medium
Providing clear and well-lit paths of travel, including braille signage and audio cues, requires careful planning and attention to detail but is relatively straightforward to implement. Challenges in implementation may include:
Widening paths.
Fixing degraded or damaged areas.
Addressing incidents of excessive slope or abrupt level change.
#7. Create accessible parking
Accessible parking includes reserved parking stalls close to the building, accessible paths to the building entrance, and appropriate signage and markings.
Accessible parking spaces have specific requirements for the parking stall and access aisle width and location. Clear markings are required, and obstructions must be avoided.
In addition to accessible parking spaces, you’ll need appropriate compliant signage with the International Symbol of Accessibility mounted at specific locations.
By providing accessible parking, you can ensure that individuals with mobility impairments have safe and convenient access to the building.
Difficulty Rating: Medium
Providing accessible parking spaces may require reconfiguring your parking area. Depending upon your existing building configuration, you may also need curb cuts or ramps to make the parking completely accessible. You’ll likely be working with an asphalt or concrete contractor to complete this work. However, it’s still a manageable task that can be done with the right planning and resources.
#8. Build accessible restrooms
Accessible toilet stalls, accessible sink and toilet fixtures, appropriate counter and basin heights, knee and toe clearances, grab bars, shower seats, and roll-in showers are among the features that make a restroom accessible.
In addition to these specific features, it’s vital to ensure that restrooms are well-lit, easy to navigate, and have clear space for maneuvering, which means providing ample space for a turning radius and compliant ingress and egress.
By providing accessible restrooms, you can ensure that individuals with disabilities have safe and convenient access to these essential facilities.
Difficulty Rating: Medium – High
In some cases, an existing restroom can be retrofitted to make it accessible. Otherwise, providing accessible restrooms that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities may require significant demolition and construction.
#9. Install an accessible elevator or lift
For buildings with multiple levels, an accessible elevator or lift is crucial to making the facility accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. Accessible elevators must meet specific dimensions and include certain features to meet accessibility standards.
Installing an elevator or lift can be more expensive and time-consuming than other accessibility modifications, but it may be the only practical way of making a multi-story building or facility accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. An accessible elevator will observe the required clear floor space for maneuvering, include braille controls, and feature emergency communication systems.
By installing an accessible elevator or lift, you can provide safe and accessible access to upper floors for individuals with mobility impairments, promoting independence and ensuring equal access to all building areas.
Difficulty Rating: Medium – High
Installing new elevators or upgrading elevators to make them accessible will likely require significant renovation and construction at considerable expense.
#10. Complete remodel
Remodeling an existing building with a fully accessible design may be the most comprehensive approach to making it accessible for individuals with impairments. This approach involves an end-to-end reimagining of the architecture from an inclusive perspective. In all likelihood, the existing structure would be at least partially gutted, then rebuilt with modern universal design principles to serve everyone equally. The exterior grounds would be likewise reconfigured.
Difficulty Rating: High
Remodeling an entire building to provide accessible features throughout is a major undertaking requiring substantial investment, but it may be essential for full accessibility. This degree of construction and renovation may be more challenging or impossible if the building has limited space or is a historic landmark.
Conclusion
Creating an accessible building is a crucial step towards inclusiveness and can benefit individuals with disabilities and enhance the overall user experience for everyone. The preceding list of 10 things you can do to make your building accessible provides an overview of the steps to create a facility that is more accessible and welcoming. From simple and affordable solutions to more complex and expensive retrofits, various options exist to meet different needs.
Whether making minor improvements or undergoing a complete retrofit, taking steps toward accessibility is an important and worthwhile investment for any building.