Designing for Disabilities Means Designing for People
What is Disability Pride Month?
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, establishing civil rights protections for people with disabilities. The legislation laid the foundation for the accessibility standards that now shape building codes, public spaces, transportation, and workplaces across the United States. But the observance has become about more than just inclusivity. It’s also about reframing disability as a natural part of the human experience, not something to hide or "overcome."
The same way the month celebrates much more than passing a law, our firm believes accessible design is about so much more than building codes. According to our Director of Operations & Senior Project Architect Adam Corwin, truly accessible design begins with understanding the people who will use a space, and in turn making their life easier.
Code is Just the Beginning
After nearly two decades in architecture, Adam has watched accessibility requirements continue to evolve. "As technology advances, codes need to catch up," he explains. For example, modern motorized wheelchairs have prompted recent updates to Ohio's accessibility code that expanded required turning radius and clearances to better accommodate today's mobility devices. Even as accessibility standards become more comprehensive, Adam believes no code can anticipate every person's experience.
"’Accessibility Expert’" is a buzzword used in this industry to interpret codes made for accessibility. But everyone is unique,” he says. “Building codes establish a critical baseline, but disabilities vary widely. A design solution that works well for one individual may not address the needs of another.”
“Code isn't one size fits all," Adam notes. "[Our job] is not to defy code… but to go above and beyond to make it easier for specific disabilities." Although Adam has seen accessibility codes become increasingly comprehensive, he believes the profession's greatest responsibility remains the same: designing spaces that work for real people.
Adam believes inclusive design rarely requires sacrificing aesthetics, and in fact creates more opportunities for creative solutions. In his experience, thoughtful accessibility can often be integrated seamlessly into a project.
Accessibility is Anchored in Empathy
For Adam, the most valuable accessibility lessons haven't come from a code book, they've come from conversations. "[Designing for disabled communities] requires a lot of fine tuning after speaking to the disabled community and considering their needs." Those conversations often uncover challenges that aren't immediately obvious during the design process.
In one project, for example, a key card reader was mounted at the height required by code but would be difficult—or impossible—for someone operating a motorized wheelchair who has limited arm mobility. The requirement had technically been met, but the experience still wasn’t fully accessible. Similarly, something as simple as extending the amount of time an automatic door remains open or increasing elevator door dwell times made navigating a building significantly easier for someone using a mobility device. These adjustments often require little or no additional construction cost, but they can have a meaningful impact on everyday usability.
On another project, an automated external defibrillator (AED) extended from the wall into a circulation path. Because it projected beyond the reach of a white cane, someone with a visual impairment could potentially walk directly into it. Rather than relocating the device, the design team developed a protective metal enclosure that extended to the floor, allowing the obstacle to be detected before contact while maintaining access to the life-saving equipment.
A project that particularly resonated with Adam involved adult changing stations at The Ohio State University. Many disabled adults require assistance from caregivers when using public restrooms, yet most facilities are designed only with standard accessible stalls in mind. The code didn’t account for the extra space required for the caregiver to move throughout the space. On this project, the adult changing stations provide the additional space and equipment needed to support both the individual and their caregiver.
The holistic design result came after speaking to the impacted individuals and creating a space to accommodate. Other accessibility features—such as Braille signage, accessible circulation paths, and thoughtful multifamily housing layouts—continue to shape how architects design buildings that serve a broader range of users.
Answers Beyond Architecture
While architecture can remove many barriers, Adam recognizes that design alone can’t solve every accessibility challenge. Sometimes additional accommodations require policy, technology, or direct human support.
He experienced this firsthand while using his 3D-printing hobby to create an automatic pill dispenser for his father, who has Parkinson's Disease. Although the device solved one problem, another remained: his father still couldn't comfortably tilt his head back to swallow the medication, and still needed his wife’s assistance.
Thoughtful design can create greater independence, but it is most effective when paired with listening, empathy, and individualized support. That's why our firm believes in designing alongside the people who will use our spaces—not simply designing to meet code.