You Fail At Accessibility

[synecdochic]

Have you ever been in an 'accessible' hotel room that had an half-inch-high curb at the threshhold? Ever been caught in a 22" wide wheelchair facing down a 20" door? Ever been assured that the allegedly-accessible route has 'just' one step?

Take a picture. Then post it to the community, with where you were, what you noticed, and why that place fails at accessibility. (Filing ADA violation reports can be a community bonding activity!)

Pictures aren't necessary, and whether or not you have a picture, describe the situation as completely as you can. (That way those with visual-based disabilities can share in the mocking of the fail as well.) And if you come across someplace that does it right, please also feel free to post accessibility wins.

(All kinds of accessibility fail welcome: mobility-based, visual-based, physical-world, online-world, anything at all.)

Comments

[xenakis]

As an architectural intern, I have to deal with issues of accessibility and universal design all the time. That means to be concerned not only with the minimum dimensions required by the building code (yeah, how'd you guys like them 1:12 ramps? pff!) but to think about the wider issues of common entrances/ease of location/legibility of signage etc. It's pretty hard and frustrating sometimes, but I try to see the ADA regulations as opportunities for innovative design. One pretty wicked example of this is the stair/ramp designed by Arthur Erikson in Robson Square, Vancouver: http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Robson_Square.html/cid_1820069.html

And yeah, I know this isn't an example of fail... I'll tell you all about the Montreal Metro system another time, to make up for it ;)

[synecdochic]

You totally need to post that image as a top-level entry as an accessibility win! That's beautiful and functional.

[xenakis]

I'd love to, but I can't seem to! The little "post to community" icon on the profile page doesn't seem to work for me. muh?

[synecdochic]

Sigh -- that's a bug that'll be fixed with tonight's code push. In the meantime, I've fixed your posting access.

[xenakis]

Thanks! I've just posted it!

As an aside, can I just say THANK YOU TIMES A MILLION FOR DREAMWIDTH!!! You guys ended my ten years old lurking habit with you talk of fandom and community and I love it, I love it!

[sarah]

I love how this is more accessible for everyone, unlike the usual tacked-on ramp. Such an incredibly elegant design.

[xenakis]

Isn't it? I loooove that project.