How does architecture provide barriers to social inclusion for people with disabilities?

Answer 1

Oh, Man--you got all night?

Here's some examples:
>a lack of curb cuts blocks people who use wheelchairs
>buildings without ramps, power doors, elevators are barriers
>lack of Braille signs are a problem. Not just on building fronts. Do you have any idea how many times I've almost gone into the women's restroom?
>phones and light switches, elevator buttons are often inaccessible
>stairs without contrasting edge strips are tough for visually impaired persons
>Speaking of restrooms, some still don't have stalls wide enough fora whellchair, and/or lack rails
>reserved parking spaces that don't have loading strips for wheelchair lifts (not to mentionthefact that the law about not parking in those spaces is often ignored)
>even if there are ramps, elevators, etc. there are often no signs to tell someone WHERE they are.
>stores, restaurants, etc with aisles and checkout lanes so narrow wheelchairs can't get through

OK, I'll stop now. But check out the "RERC" websites (Rehabilitation Engineering Research centers--a national network of programs doing research on all phases of access, barrier-free and universal design, and adaptive technology). There's a couple of dozen of them--just google "RERC"

Answer 2

In some office spaces, there is over-crowding, too narrow of passageways for a disabled person to even ride a wheelchair through. In most cases, though, major strides due to action by Congress have made buildings more accessible to disabled individuals.

Answer 3

..chair, counters, water fountains, shelving, check-outs too high for little people 4'10" and under, lack of clear amplification over PA systems for hearing impaired, no visual photo refernce for you to point to when you are ordering from a fast food restaurant. (McD's make a card with all pictures but how do you ask to use it if you can't speak to begin with.) Swimming pools w/o ramps,
narrow doors, bumpy, uneven floors and thresholds which require a "running start" with the wheelchair. Gravel and rock landscaping w/o a sidewalk.....streetlights with mere seconds to cross the street..