Accessibility refers to the ability of people of all ages and abilities to comfortably navigate public and private spaces. Formalized by the federal government as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accessibility principles underpin regulations that call for accessible elements such as wheelchair ramps, curb cuts, buttons, and more. Accessibility planning centers the experience of people with disabilities in designing public spaces, buildings, and transit facilities.
All Accessibility Courses
Getting There
Getting There was produced by planners in New Hampshire to inform other planners of the concepts and benefits of universal design. The big idea illustrated by the film is that a built environment designed with the needs of the visually impaired in mind would be universally accessible for every single member of the community.
The Human Scale
The Human Scale juxtaposes the urban experiences of cities across the World to raise questions about the costs of modernity and to argue in favor of city planning that reclaims the public realm for social life. This new approach to planning is measured by walking distances, social interactions, and social inclusion, rather than vehicle speeds and parking spaces.