Ride, Don't Walk

 This blog post demonstrates an important issue regarding designing any building; wheelchair accessibility. Through a real life simulation of myself doing daily tasks in a wheelchair, I now have a new perspective of the importance of designing spaces to accommodate people in wheelchairs.
Here are some pictures, observations, and sketches of some of the tasks I completed.

Reaching for a magazine on the 3rd shelf.

Frontal view sitting in the wheelchair.

The only closed stall in the restroom was very difficult to enter. The stall was so close to the wall I had to maneuver my way in. Once I was in the stall, there was no way I was able to close the door, let alone turn around.

Washing my hands in a public bathroom. The sink height allowed me to roll under the sink ad gain access.

About to roll up the ramp, arms are very fatigued at this point.

Using the automatic door opener. All the buttons I had access to were easily reachable at arms length.

Sketch of me pressing the automatic door opener button.

A strenuous stretch to try and pick up my coffee order at the stand.

Brief sketch of myself ordering from the coffee stand, sketch shows comparison of the counter height to me in the wheelchair.

Looking straight on at the coffee stand. The top was a good foot and a half above my head.

After I completed this demonstration, I realize how easy it is to take granted the daily tasks in life, and for people in wheelchairs, these daily tasks are a challenge. As a designer, I believe everyone should have equal opportunity and access to all spaces. Universal design has evolved into a necessity in any design as the population in our society is very diverse. Designers need to evaluate the challenges that people with disabilities face everyday, and from there create a design that best accommodates those needs. Every single person in our society are equal, and the designed environment should be accessible by all, regardless of cost. With the technologies the world has come up with should make buildings easily usable by all.