Built for Access

By Betty Dion

Universal design -- designing to meet the needs of all people to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age, ability or disabilities -- is a fine approach. Design that makes products easier to use by requiring minimal force or dexterity, or able to be used intuitively without first having to read a manual, is long overdue.

The basic principles of universal design are: it is simple and intuitive to use; it offers equitable use; there is flexibility in its use; it has perceptible information; it has tolerance for error; it requires low physical effort; and it incorporates sufficient size and space for approach and use.

Enjoying the use of a public building that has been conceived and constructed with universal design principles in mind is a excellent idea, too. But does it really exist?

A study of "Best Practices in Universal Design" has recently been published that illustrates the best in building designs from Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Nordic countries, Canada and the United States. The study, completed by Betty Dion Enterprises Ltd. in collaboration with the Universal Design Institute, compares practical data and technical specifications in order to identify the most innovative ideas that have been implemented in these countries around the world. The study was undertaken for Agriculture Canada in anticipation of the construction of a new headquarters building in Ottawa.

The search did reveal some interesting ideas. One example was an elevator that could be called by positioning one’s wheelchair next to a large button in the wall and pushing the button with a foot or foot rest. There was also a standard call button provided for others to use. This feature is ideal for people who are not able to activate the regular elevator call button. An added feature of this elevator, which was located in a two-storey building, was that it automatically went to the other floor without a button having to be pushed.

Another interesting building had been constructed by a business that wanted a universally accessible environment for its employees. It installed visual fire alarms and wheelchair accessible washrooms. At one end of the two-storey building it had installed stairs, and, at the other end, an interior ramp. All employees were therefore able to evacuate the building independently in the event of an emergency, without relying on assistance from anyone else. That is a good example of the application of a best practice in universal design.

Pay telephones that are equipped with TTYs (teletypewriters), allowing them to be used by people with hearing or speech disabilities as well as everyone else, are becoming a more common sight, particularly in airports and other transportation terminals and public buildings across the country.

The use of colour and texture to assist people in wayfinding (i.e. making their way through a building) is a good universal design practice that assists everyone. The use of these guiding techniques was found to be much more prevalent in Japan and China than in North America. In fact, Japan, with the fastest-rising aging population (next is Canada), is leading the way in the design of buildings that can be used by older persons.

One problem that the study highlighted is the need to harmonize the use of different building products so that a conflict is not created. A textured surface to provide warning to people with vision disabilities in one building should not be used for another purpose in the building across the street!

Canada has led the way in the design of universally accessible automatic banking machines (ABMs). The CSA (Canadian Standards Association) recently published an accessibility standard for automatic banking machines that is the result of a great deal of work by manufacturers, financial institutions and accessibility specialists. The standard provides the technical specifications that will enable people to operate a banking machine using the screen or an audio format. It also specifies issues such as illumination levels, keypad design and height and reach. The standard is based on research carried out by Betty Dion Enterprises Ltd. and the Canadian Bankers Association and a study published by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Manufacturers now have available machines that meet this standard that can be used by people with or without a disability. Other countries are now looking to the Canadian ABM Accessibility Standard B651.1 as a model.

Design of outdoor spaces was also included in the "Best Practices in Universal Design" study, and featured some simple and some more complex ideas. Benches located along a pedestrian route are appreciated by many people. Including arms and backs on the bench that can support and assist people while using it, and providing adequate level space beside the bench for someone sitting in a wheelchair, is another example of a best practice in universal design. Universal design means designing so that all people can use the area!

A best practice that is a little more sophisticated was found at a street corner in London, England. It incorporated tactile cuing on the sidewalks to allow pedestrians with vision disabilities to locate the appropriate crossing location as they approached. They were then able to cross the street safely following the tactile warning surface.

One of the more interesting differences found between accessibility building code requirements in Australia and New Zealand and North America involved the manoeuvring spaces required in washrooms and in paths of travel to accommodate those who use power wheelchairs and scooters. Turning space varied from 650 x 1100 mm in Japan, to 750 x 1220 mm in the United States, 900 x 1200 mm in the Nordic countries and as high as 750 x 1300 mm if considering the turning space required for power chairs and scooters. Individual or unisex washrooms were required to have a minimum of 1700 x 1700 mm of space in Canada, 1600 x 2000 mm in Australia and 1900 mm x 2300 mm in Fiji, to accommodate power wheelchairs and scooters.

("Best Practices in Universal Design" is available in French, English and alternate formats from Betty Dion Enterprises Ltd., (613) 725-0566 (voice/TTY); e-mail: bdion@magma.ca.)