On Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:59:52 -0700, "CW" wrote:


The computer has been my main
pastime lately. Hopefully, that will change here in a few months. Every
experience is a learning experience if you look at it in the right way. I
now firmly believe that every architect should have to spend a couple of
months in a wheelchair before they can get their degree. Pulled into a
parking lot a while back and found the handicapped parking spaces right in
front of the entrance. Win. Wheelchair ramp on the other side of parking
lot. Fail. I don't use handicapped parking as I feel that there are others
that need them worse than I do but I do notice. Another place. Nice ramp
parallel to building leading to entrance. Win. Entrance door opens out
blocking ramp. Fail. Then we get to the inside. Deep pile carpeting. Like
rolling through mud. Halls so narrow that making a 90 degree turn into a
room is impossible. Many of these things could be taken care of in the
design process and without a great deal, or no, expense. Just a bit of
thought.

Young healthy people never think of those things when designing. Laws
now force them to a point to make access. I'm even surprised at some
hospitals and medical centers that have narrow doorways instead of one
just a few inches wider.

If architects and interior designers had to use crutches and a
wheelchair for a week, you'd see a lot of changes in the future.