Easy Access

Easy Access is the design of buildings, vehicles, etc. so that anybody can use them, regardless of physical constraints, e.g. a physical disability, sensory impairment or need to push a pram.

Examples

Examples of such design features include:

• Ramps or lifts, either instead of steps or available as an alternative.
• Fire alarms hooked up to the lighting system of a building, so that when the alarm sounds, the lights flash to alert deaf people to the situation
• Braille or embossed lettering on signs
• Colour contrasted doors to carter for visually impaired.
• Doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs, with handles low enough to be reached by someone in a wheelchair.

Easy Access facilities are now required by legislation in many countries:

• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (UK)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) (US)
• Disability Discrimination Act (Australia)

While the provision of Easy Access can be painfully difficult and expensive to provide as a retro-fit or afterthought, designing EA facilities at the time of original construction can be quite simple.

List of London stations to get Easy Access

• Finchley Central tube station

• According to Modern Railways of May 2005, £370m has been earmarked for further disability access to the UK rail network.

See also

• Disability Sports, Sports Wheelchairs
• Wheelchair accessible taxi
• Wheelchair accessible van
• MBTA accessibility
• ADAPT - a disability rights organization.

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