Columnist Kathryn Crosata: Designers aware of accessibility concerns

Kathryn Crosata

Monday, June 19, 2000 | 9:25 a.m.

Kathryn Crosato is a registered interior designer for Fielden & Partners, which focuses on space planning and interior design.

I applaud those with disabilities coming forward to express the difficulties they are having in accessing some of our public buildings. Steve Kanigher's May 21 article, "Barriers block path to access," suggested that architects have put no thought into making buildings truly accessible and that budgets often affect the enforcement of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

As a registered interior designer whose firm works very closely with an architectural firm, I feel I must speak on behalf of the design/architecture community. Although our companies did not design the buildings mentioned in this article, it has always been our practice to consider accessibility as equal to design and function.

We do a code and accessibility analysis of the site, the building and all furnishings within the building. This ensures that we are meeting the proper building codes and ADA requirements for wheelchair, site and hearing-impaired accessibility. It is our responsibility to attain the education and experience necessary to design spaces that fulfill the purpose our clients intend, but also to ensure accessibility, ease of function and comfort for all people.

In addressing the difficulties the disabled experienced in the public buildings mentioned in the article, it is difficult to go backwards -- particularly when remodeling buildings designed before the ADA became law. There are roadblocks in laws, funding and the physical structure of the buildings. Despite these difficulties, it has always been our intent to do the very most we can within these constraints. It is always a challenge, but rarely impossible.

Fielden & Partners and RAFI Architects have implemented a fellowship program in which employees can further their knowledge and experience in a particular area of interest through research, education and public service. My concentration is on Universal Design -- creating environments for people with the widest range of abilities in the widest range of situations.

This means designing not only for those in wheelchairs or with sight or hearing impairments, but for people of all ages, sizes and abilities. It is a fact that at some point in our lives each of us will at least be temporarily disabled. It is my goal to pass this knowledge on to other designers, architects, our clients, building officials and the public. Awareness is our first ally. Educating ourselves as designers and architects, we can then share it with the community. As well meaning as we may be when it comes to representing the disabled community, without firsthand experience we really don't know the extent of the struggles a disabled person lives with day to day. Even then, in spite of all our efforts, the needs of some individuals may not be met. It is an ongoing learning process.

That is why it is imperative from the inception of a project to form a design team that includes those with disabilities. They need to be included in testing the accessibility during the design process and also be a part of the post occupancy evaluation, ensuring that the building is as "user friendly" as the design intended.

But, we can do much more than the ADA law requires. That is the intent of Universal Design. So many times it can be something simple that doesn't cost anything and just makes good sense.

For example: On a recent trip I took note of the airport monitors that display flight arrivals and departures. The monitors are set very high and placed at a 90-degree angle making them difficult to read. By simply tilting the monitors downward they could be read more easily by those in wheelchairs, by tall or short people and children. Another example is to make airport restroom stalls slightly deeper. This allows easier access for a person with luggage, a parent with children, someone on crutches, or larger people. These are simple, low-cost solutions that will make traveling more comfortable for everyone. It is a new way of thinking.

As architects and designers it is our unending desire to incorporate accessibility into each of our design projects. But, more so it is our moral and professional obligation and simply the right thing to do. It is a matter of putting ourselves into other people's shoes.

We are listening.