When we discuss the accessibility of a venue, the meaning is truly vast. From wheelchair ramps and grab bars to tactile guidance and assistive technology, accessibility refers to functionality for people who are visually impaired, neurodiverse, and chronically ill. 

Whether you’re looking at an office building, a hotel, or a newly-built home, the public is rightfully demanding establishments be accessible to all– and designers are listening. As the changing tide of design continues to prioritize welcoming everyone, businesses must embrace this new frontier of accessibility or suffer the consequences.

The Joy of Travel

Traveling is an incredible opportunity to immerse oneself in another culture. But for people with disabilities, traveling can be rife with obstacles. The hotel industry has made a significant amount of progress in their expansion into accessibility, but much more is necessary.

Hotels have made a lot of important changes since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. However, there’s much more accessibility that is needed. “From stories about beds being too high to limited floor space and roll-in nightmares, there are so many things that the global hospitality industry needs to address,” a column in the Huffington Post explains.  

Many wheelchair users have exceptional ideas that hotel designers should review when exploring the design and renovation of a venue. A column in Travel Weekly notes that this is not only important for people with disabilities, but for the 73 million Baby Boomers who love to travel. The piece points out that 40% of these Baby Boomers, according to the website Health Day, self-identify as having had a disability when they turned 65. If the hotel industry wants to continue to draw in the Baby Boomer demographic, they’ll understand that designing for their accessibility will be an essential component of maintaining their business. 

Travel companies and prominent destinations are also realizing that people with disabilities want the same exciting adventures as others, and are learning to adapt. But as expected, there’s growth that’s needed there too. However, this goes far beyond people in wheelchairs. The travel industry is learning to create unique opportunities for visually impaired and neurodiverse people, as well. 

Civic Institutions and Workplaces

Whether it’s a day at the museum or a typical workday at the office, all sorts of buildings must be designed or adapted with accessibility in mind. Museums are increasingly making accessibility a priority, understanding that meaningful inclusion means all parties can come through those doors and immerse themselves in culture.

“In a museum, accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. Really,” the American Alliance of Museums shared. “Frontline staff need to be prepared to field requests for sensory equipment. IT or digital staff need to ensure the museum website is accessible. Educators need to ensure that every child can participate in a field trip. Evaluators need to meet visitors of all abilities where they are to learn why they are coming to their museum and what they need to be able to engage.”

While a day on the job may not be the most exciting place, it’s also one that needs to be accessible to all. In the workplace, the obstacles people with disabilities face include “physical office environments that lack accommodations to outdated digital tools and workplace technology,” Forbes writes. 

Unfortunately, this lack of accessibility also damages the workforce. Since over a billion people are living with some form of disability globally, “businesses that fail to accommodate accessibility are missing out on a vast pool of skills, perspectives, and innovative thinking.” Clearly, pulling from top talent pools also demonstrates how essential accessible design is. 

Home Design

Home is where the heart is. But when it comes to accessible design, it’s also where certain obstacles exist. Currently, designers are embracing how essential accessibility is in the homes they create. In British Columbia, new homes must be adaptable for disabilities, the Globe and Mail reported back in July. 

One unique story is Matt’s Place and architectural firm Miller Hull, which are creating modular, accessible homes specifically designed for people with ALS, a disease that makes it difficult to speak, eat, move, and breathe. Next, they’ll venture into building a nine-unit apartment building, which will also be equipped with a variety of adaptive technologies, Fast Company reports. 

Many developers are understanding that people with chronic diseases need adaptive technologies. For example, a new apartment building in Scarborough, Maine will allow a man with multiple Sclerosis to simply nod his head to the right in order to turn the light on, since he’s lost the ability to move the muscles from his neck down. 

Similarly, older adults with sensory disabilities dealing with issues ranging from loss of sight to arthritis are also being considered. Since 80% of all people over age 85 will experience noticeable hearing loss, according to a recent study from the JAMA Network, spaces that support acoustics are extremely helpful. Also, furniture that’s comfortable and easy to grasp is particularly beneficial for older adults with diabetes or Parkinson’s. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed in 1990, and a lot of progress has been made in those last 30-plus years. That said, there’s still a long way to go. 

The good news is that establishments, ranging from travel destinations and museums to workplaces and new homes, are embracing this changing tide. However, they’re going to need significant guidance as they create a more accessible world. 

Hopefully, organizations will increasingly understand how essential accessibility is to their livelihood.