For most of the walking, seeing and hearing majority, the concept of accessibility is a politically correct one, but in reality there is often no true vested interest. For example, we all peripherally notice wheelchair access ramps, but, when it doesn’t affect you, it’s easy to stop noticing what obstacles may exist upon entering a building. A bistro may have the obligatory wheelchair ramp, however, if all the seating inside is on bar stools with chest high bistro tables, has the concept of ADA compliance truly been embraced?
People dealing with blindness are probably the least accommodated. We live in an extremely visual world. We can all probably agree that to have this sensory input removed would be extremely challenging, and yet even the most cursory of observations would indicate that many businesses pay, at best, only superficial attention to their accessibility obligations. Braille signage is often limited and elevators may lack an audible announcement of floor levels to name just a couple.
As a civil rights advocate and first Deafblind graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is uniquely positioned to champion and empower persons with disabilities. Speaking recently at Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s conference (WWDC), Ms. Girma noted that “rather than “overcoming disability,” accessible design should focus on removing barriers imposed by society.”
Ms. Girma’s statements are compelling. No one should suffer indignities or lack of options due to a disability; limitations should be of someone’s own making or choice, not imposed on them. Society, as a whole, has an obligation to provide equal access to opportunities for persons living with, and without, disabilities; to do otherwise is to suppress them. Accomplishing this requires not only that more attention to detail be put forth, but also a desire to implement those details. Businesses may not have true malicious intent by lacking accessibility, but may consider it easier and far less expensive to not make inclusive changes if they are not being challenged.
Regardless, all businesses and recreational areas are required by law to be accessible. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) came into effect in 1990 to ensure that “people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.” Title III of the ADA not only specifically outlines minimum standards for accessibility in new or renovated public access buildings, but also “requires public accommodations to remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense”. Instead of meeting only the minimum requirements and turning a blind eye to what could be, business owners, architects and building contractors should strive to have a vision that goes the extra mile.
It’s important that people understand that their rights are protected by law. Since its inception, Access Advocates (contact us) has been working tirelessly to establish itself as a leader in ADA building compliance. If any person with a disability feels that they have been excluded due to inaccessibility, they are strongly encouraged to reach out to them. Access Advocates is readily available to offer a forum of public support to bring about change, and help open the general public’s eyes to the discrimination that so many people struggle with daily.