Photo Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anasqtiesh/3950147867/
In the not so distant past, the words “handicapped accessible” brought to mind unpleasant images of waist high hand railing and utilitarian Formica flooring. Historically portrayed as graceless and lacking in style, these features that appear to be simple conveniences for persons without disabilities are often essential to anyone who has a temporary or permanent impairment, and the loss of these amenities presents a significant barrier to continued independent living.
Happily, urban designers have been gradually introducing barrier-free concepts to the public at large, and in so doing have ushered in ways to blend aesthetics with accessibility. These design features may appear to be simple conveniences for people who do not currently have reasons to view them in the context of recognized disabilities but it represents a new freedom for many who have abilities that are hampered by illness, age, or birth defects. Accessibility modifications to conventional urban environments have become common in recent decades.