Access/No Access: Ramps or Steps... Or Both?
This is the first in my new series of posts taking a look at bad solutions for accessibility, and hopefully the odd good one, as well. There are a couple of places in my extended neighbourhood that have created access using both a ramp and steps. One is at a local grocery store The other is the relatively new design at Harbourfront where access to the walkway close to the water is provided using alternating steps and ramps I’m a big fan of the theory of universal accessibility . This philosophy looks at design for the built environment with a view towards making it accessible for as many people as possible, without needing to adapt or create specialized design for people with disabilities. Terrific idea, right? It looks at that the people using the design as one group, rather than a number of specialized groups, some of which may not be included. One way in which many interpret universal accessibility is to eliminate stairs, instead using gentle