2024-11-08T21:12:06-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150095626/what-buildings-can-teach-us-about-accessibility-and-future-cities Katherine Guimapang 2018-11-12T19:53:00-05:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/8c/8c5865c2df244bae26a1d293dd3a6b0e.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/370527/accessibility" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Accessibility</a> looks like different things to different people. When architects design buildings there are parameters that must be met in order to meet standard building codes. With the passing of the <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/618663/american-with-disabilities-act" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Americans with Disability Act</a>, building regulations were placed to ensure that the design process included these "check off items". However, how can individuals with varying <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/347000/disabilities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">disabilities</a>&nbsp;know where spaces are "fit" for them.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/6b/6bce0c17d6464a1df045fc0cdb3241bb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/6b/6bce0c17d6464a1df045fc0cdb3241bb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>McCormick Tribune Campus Center, ITT Image &copy; Simon King </figcaption></figure><p>Accessibility mapping has become a method which helps identify areas that provide access to individuals with disabilities. Groups all over the world from <a href="https://www.mapping-access.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nashville</a> to <a href="https://www.axsmap.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paris</a> take part in "map-a-thons" that allow people to come together in a collective effort to understand where access is available in their city. Whether they themselves are disabled, know of people who are, or concerned citizens who want to become more aware of their surrounds for others accessibility mapping allows for the tracking and documenta...</p>