(Image 4: Above. International symbol for wheelchair accessibility)
UNDERSTANDING ADA: The primary goal of ADA design is to eliminate discrimination and exclusion based on physical disability. According to the Center for Universal Design: “(t)he intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communication, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost.” This creed is what the ADA design standards have been based on, resulting in low cost solutions designed around an average body type. With this goal in mind, the U.S. Department of Justice has released a series of informational books, which detail out the most up-to-date set of guidelines. According to ADA guidelines any new building project is required to adhere to the most recent set of state and federal ADA guidelines. Additionally, for any “alteration to a business building or facility begun after January 26, 1992, the areas of elements that are altered must be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design to the maximum extent feasible.”
For more information visit: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAStandards.pdf
(Image 3: Left. Russian Museum of Art done in the Neoclassical architectural style with a retrofitted metallic ADA ramp)