Accessibility

“As an architect, I have to balance needs, costs, aesthetics, and several other factors into my design decisions. Without understanding the needs, it is easy to let other factors dictate the final design. Without additional education, we architects will rely on the ADA guidelines solely and be proud of ourselves…

Even the short exposure of three hours has changed my thinking considerably and helped me to be a better designer… a sincere thank you for taking the time to enlighten us…”           

Ernie Bayles
Architect, Ithaca, NY

Statistics show that over 90% of us will be forced to live with an impairment at some point in our lives. This may be temporary injury or illness, long term impairment, or the result of the natural process of aging.  EbD’s evaluation, educational, and consulting services help clients improve access in a variety of settings:

Home

• Retire and age with dignity in a safer, more accessible home to avoid or delay assisted living or nursing home placement
• Modify your home so you or a loved one can live better with a disability 
• Design and create a new home/space that will allow you to be healthy and productive for a lifetime, regardless of the challenges that injury, disability or aging may present. 

Business

• Exceed ADA requirements for a compliant and inclusive business
• Increase the volume and diversity of customers who can access your information/services/products
• Increase the diversity and productivity of your employees

Campus/Community

We all deserve access to the rich educational, cultural, and entertainment resources for which our region is known. EbD specializes in the evaluation, development of custom seminars, and consulting to take campus and public accessibility beyond ADA compliance toward truly universal and inclusive access.

Client Highlight—The Ithaca College Environmental Access Initiative

The Ithaca College Office of Affirmative Action and EbD have come to share a vision of inclusive design and universal access for all who use the resources of Ithaca College. As a result of extensive collaboration, a progressive plan for achieving this ideal has evolved. The initial implementation phase, The Environmental Access Initiative (EAI), is a unique model designed to empower participants to begin meeting the challenges of enhanced accessibility at Ithaca College.

A consortium of professional college staff representing various departments engaged in semester-long, experiential seminars developed and conducted by EbD. Participants gained knowledge about accessibility issues and each designed, presented, and began implementation of a service-oriented access project enhancing departmental and campus accessibility.  They are now prepared to act as liaisons to IC, offering their expertise to the benefit of the greater community. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to continue their projects and daily work with the support of the EAI consortium and the College.

Participants reported increased awareness and knowledge of access issues, offered  consistently positive feedback about the seminars, and initiated ambitious Access Projects--all prime indicators of an effective and successful EAI experience.

"As a university housing manager, it is critical that I provide inclusive and functional accommodations.  EbD provided the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and understanding of universal design principles and their role in campus housing.  The staff is knowledgeable and provided both theoretical and experiential learning opportunities.  I continue to apply the concepts to better meet the needs of my residential students." 

Dan Gockley
Director of Residence Life, Fairmont State University