Accessibility is the quality that makes an experience open to all. It represents a professional discipline aimed at achieving the qualities that make an experience open to all, especially for all persons with disabilities.

Human-centered design is a problem-solving approach used in the design of the built environment, ensuring that the human perspective is integral in all stages of the process. This methodology begins by engaging the individuals for whom and with whom the design is intended, culminating in a thoughtful and innovative solution that prioritizes the needs of people first when creating built environments.

Human-centered design considers how individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives will interact with the built environment. It considers how they feel, keeping in mind that not everyone moves, experiences, or communicates in the same way.

The term “barrier-free” is a defined term within the building code. In the context of a building and its facilities, it signifies that the building and its facilities are designed to be accessible, allowing individuals with physical or sensory disabilities to approach, enter, and utilize them. The building code outlines objectives for barrier-free design which include the following:

• Accessibility: To limit the probability that, because of the design or construction of a building, a person with a physical or sensory disability will be unacceptably impeded from accessing or using the building or its facilities.
• Accessibility – Barrier-Free Path of Travel: To limit the probability that, because of the design or construction of a building, a person with a physical or sensory disability will be unacceptably impeded from accessing the building or circulating within it.
• Accessibility – Barrier-Free Facilities: To limit the probability that, because of the design or construction of a building, a person with a physical or sensory disability will be unacceptably impeded from using the building’s facilities.

Areas requiring barrier-free paths of travel often refer to compliance with minimum requirements, however it is important to consider that there may be areas that are not required to have a barrier-free path of travel, and exceptions where extensive renovation is proposed.

Universal design is the design of an environment so that it might be accessed and used in the widest possible range of situations without need for adaptation. Universal design aims to achieve a “one-size-fits-all” approach. The seven principles of universal design include:

• Equitable use
• Flexibility in use
• Simple and intuitive use
• Perceptible information
• Tolerance for error
• Low physical effort
• Size and space for approach and use

The eight goals of universal design include:

• Body fit
• Comfort
• Awareness
• Understanding
• Wellness
• Social integration
• Personalization
• Cultural appropriateness

Inclusive design is a methodology that enables and draws on the complete spectrum of human diversity. Crucially, this entails involving and learning from individuals with a wide array of perspectives. Inclusive design aims to achieve a “one-size-fits-one” approach. The three principles of inclusive design include:

1. Recognizing exclusion
2. Learning from diversity
3. Solving for one, extending to many.

Accessibility is an inherent attribute, while universal design emphasizes the end solution. Inclusive design represents a holistic approach that encompasses both processes and outcomes. It is essential to acknowledge that accessibility serves as the foundation for both universal and inclusive design.

Accessibility, universal design, and inclusive design provide unique benefits to design. They should ideally collaborate to create spaces for all that align with accessibility standards, promote equity, wellbeing, and participation in the built environment.

Accessibility, initially rooted in policies and legislation, was developed to ensure barrier-free design for specific disability communities. Access for persons using mobility devices in architecture, and access to information and communication, especially technology, became prominent across North America. Accessibility should consider human diversity, beauty, delight, respect for dignity, individualization, or full participation.

Universal design, originating from the built environment, especially in architecture and environmental design, may not include and learn from individuals with a range of diverse perspectives.

Inclusive design, stemming from user experience and testing of digital technologies, may not always lead to a universally applicable design.

While universal design aims to achieve a “one-size-fits-all” approach, inclusive design strives for a “one-size-fits-one” solution, acknowledging the unique needs and experiences of individuals.

Accessibility fits into the practice through our service offerings including:

• Building audits and feasibility;
• Certification and benchmarking;
• Consulting;
• Guidelines and standards development;
• Research; and
• Training.

The benefits of designing for accessibility include:

• Saving on design and construction costs by future-proofing the site and building and minimizing the need to retrofit existing buildings in the future as our population ages and our laws evolve.
• The “curb cut effect”. Accessibility features designed to include and accommodate persons with disabilities ultimately benefit everyone. For example, a sidewalk curb that slopes to become level with the street at a crosswalk is an accessibility feature for persons using mobility devices, but individuals using strollers, carts, bikes, etc. also benefit from it.
• Improving business:
  • Identifying, preventing, and removing barriers for individuals with disabilities creates a world that is built for everyone - whether you are pushing a stroller, making a delivery, or using a walker or a wheelchair.
  • Individuals with disabilities will choose a business where they feel welcomed, and where they can easily get the products and services they want.
  • Individuals with disabilities and older adults are a large and growing group of consumers.
  • There are 1.3 billion people worldwide with disabilities; 703 million of this population are over the age of 65. As the population ages, this number will grow.
  • Businesses can attract more customers and employees by removing as many barriers to access as possible by creating spaces that are open to all.
  • Bringing the purchasing power of people with disabilities as well as that of their networks.
• Improving access to housing; goods, services, and facilities; information and communication; public transportation; public spaces; and customer service.

You should hire an accessibility specialist (consultant) if you are seeking individuals with subject matter expertise of accessibility in the built environment. Accessibility specialists:

• Have knowledge and understanding of historical, social, and political contexts that impact accessibility.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the social model of disability, the rights of persons with disabilities, and accessibility standards including minimum requirements and better practices.
• Will use design thinking to help problem solve, identify, remove, and prevent barriers between individuals and the built environment.
• Understand how to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, community partners, interested parties, accessibility advisory committees, and the public including persons with lived or living experience with disability.
• Will provide guidance on coordinating, integrating, and implementing project specific and innovative accessibility strategies to create spaces for all.
• Will integrate expertise in the areas of inclusion and wellness.