Accessibility is a major consideration that impacts so many aspects of everyday life. In addition to general physical spaces, accessibility is a key factor in the design of websites, digital publications, and gaming. And why not? When designing a new space for any purpose, making it accessible means more people will be able to use it. Accessibility is about fostering inclusivity and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate in society.
However, it can be challenging for people who don’t have accessibility issues to adequately incorporate accessibility considerations in design. If you are creating or are responsible for creating spaces of any kind, rise to the challenge. Here are four things to consider as you design accessible spaces for people of all abilities.
1. Include Adequate Space to Maneuver
Putting accessible fixtures into a design is only half the battle when it comes to making spaces accessible. What it takes someone to get to those fixtures comprises the other half. After all, if someone can’t physically get to a feature, it’s of no use to them.
For example, if you’re overseeing the design of a park or playground, the type of playground equipment installed should be easy to use and get to. You may have thought through including inclusive swing sets designed with wider seats and sturdy backrests and incorporating transfer platforms alongside the swings. However, you also have to ensure the pathways leading to the playground equipment are wide and smoothly paved for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Universal design requires building in adequate room to maneuver. Make sure you incorporate it. Keep in mind that accommodating space to maneuver will undoubtedly increase the square footage you need to work with. Consider consulting with accessibility experts or individuals with disabilities during the design process to gain valuable insights and feedback on how to optimize the space for inclusivity and ease of use.
As a designer, you might consider using a wheelchair at a playground to experience firsthand the challenges and limitations individuals with mobility impairments face. You might not think anything of a border around the playground, until you gain a new perspective. Better understanding the specific needs and requirements of others can help you create truly accessible and inclusive spaces.
2. Consider Effort and Error
One destination that is all about accessibility is an airport, since they’re built to accommodate many passengers with diverse needs. Moreover, airports are prime examples of design that takes effort and error into account. Those basic principles can be incorporated into any space aimed at being accessible.
Design spaces should feature tools that will reduce the amount of effort people are required to make. If there is a distance from point A to point B, consider offering moving sidewalks and automatic doors. Even well-placed benches can help make traversing a space easier for those who may tire easily.
In addition, reduce the opportunity for errors that could lead to serious consequences. Remove impediments and tripping hazards for the visually impaired or those who lack physical control over their movements. Although there’s no minimum safety standard for aisle widths, keep them wide and clear.
Design with keeping fatigue at a bare minimum to keep a space accessible. And help users avoid negative consequences if limitations make them more susceptible to navigation and control errors. The safer you make spaces for those with accessibility issues, the safer those spaces are for everyone.
3. Create a Map
Most people take for granted how easy it is to access information in a space. But for some, visual clues are unseen and audio unheard. There are multiple media tools available, so use them all to cover all bases.
Wayfinding information is crucial for visitors to access in order to navigate a space effectively. There are four types to consider, including directional, informational, identification, and regulatory. If these aren’t fully accessible to everyone, people will get lost.
Information should be at a height where it can be seen or felt by everyone, from a seated child to a tall adult. Employ the pedestrian crosswalk technology, where buttons are large, bright, and in braille. Ensure lights are prominent and use universal signal colors. Sound should be incorporated to indicate the light cycle if a pedestrian cannot see.
The more senses you can involve in signage and other wayfinding information, the more people can access it. While some people might complain about the additional elements cluttering the environment or being unnecessary, just remember these extra details don’t hurt visitors who don’t have accessibility issues. Not having them may put those with impairments at risk.
4. Ease and Flexibility
There is an established metric that writing something a sixth-grader can understand is comprehensible to everyone. It makes language easy. Plus, it’s inherently flexible.
When designing accessible spaces, they should be easy enough for someone with the least ability to use. At the same time, they should not present any barriers or inconveniences for those with no limitations. In other words, the space should accommodate those who need simplicity as well as those who don’t.
Take informational video in a space for example. It can have captioning for the hearing impaired as well as audio for the hearing. Seating can be low enough for those who need it that way, yet adjustable for those who don’t. Ramps can be used by those in wheelchairs as well as those on foot.
Truly accessible spaces should make using them as easy as possible for everyone. If the greatest ease for some will create problems for others, the space should flex. All things being equal, everyone should benefit.
Deal With the Details
The devil of an access-friendly space is, indeed, in the details. Designing any space involves a multitude of details. Designing one that will accommodate people of all types of abilities requires attention to even more of them. Whether you’re ensuring pathways are wide and unobstructed, incorporating accessible seating options, or providing alternative formats for information dissemination, these details truly matter. When thoughtfully considered, they contribute to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.