As an architect, I often wonder: what if we designed our spaces prioritizing the needs and comfort of ‘differently-abled’ individuals? What if we, the 2.21% of ‘abled’ people, lived in a city where the majority of the population were differently-abled? With this in mind, imagine the following scenario:
An alarm beeps at 7:00 a.m., followed by a soothing voice wishing you good morning, accompanied by soft music. The automated curtains gently open, and as you turn over, the warmth of the sunlight greets you. You look outside and see your neighbor, who is visually impaired, offering his morning prayers to the sun. “Good morning, neighbor,” you hear him say through a speaker, and you respond with a cheerful greeting. Thanks to the voice-activated mic and speaker system installed near your window, you can also hear his wife, who is blind, wishing you a wonderful day as she prepares breakfast in the kitchen. What a beautiful start to the day for all three of you, right?
The house itself reflects the needs of its previous occupant, who had low vision since birth. The white walls are complemented by contrasting, minimalist furniture and a continuous highlighter line at eye level, which helped him navigate the space easily. You now appreciate how well-lit every corner of the house is, knowing that consistent lighting is essential to avoid straining your vision. Louvered curtains allow you to adjust the daylight according to your mood and activities. Even the grab bars near the WC, once a practical necessity, have become part of your creative display for hanging decorative miniatures that bring a little joy to your mornings.
Walking down the passage from your room to the living area and kitchen, you notice butterflies and birds fluttering among the flowers outside. A gentle breeze wafts through the plants, enhancing the tranquility of your walk. The open, spacious living room, with its island kitchen and dining area, has automated lighting. And even when there’s a power cut, the large windows with sliding glass shutters prevent you from feeling trapped. Slide-out shelves in the kitchen reduce the need to bend, sparing your back from strain—a thoughtful design for all ages.
It’s time to leave for work. As the elevator doors open, you enter a tunnel-like space that feels expansive due to the mirror on one side. This creates a psychological effect, momentarily distracting you in the confined area. Another reason the elevator feels spacious is that it meets wheelchair-accessibility standards—comfortable for everyone, including ‘abled’ people like yourself. Upon reaching the ground floor, you pass by the circular community hall, where differently-abled residents are busy preparing for a social event. The gradual slopes and open layout allow for easy wheelchair access. Textured tiles guide those who are blind, while contrasting colors aid those with low vision in navigating the space. The sounds of chirping birds, the aroma of seasonal plants, and the vibrant colors of the landscape, paired with barrier-free walkways and distinct lanes for vehicles, all contribute to creating a rich, inclusive environment. This is a place where everyone—whether child, adult, or elderly; abled or differently-abled—feels they belong, and so do you.
On a larger scale, our cities—our landmarks, roads, transit systems, public spaces, recreational areas, educational zones, and workplaces—must incorporate simple yet functional design ideas that account for the sensory perceptions and spatial needs of different users. During the design process, it is essential to collaborate with every potential user of the space. Understanding how the same design element can affect different people is an excellent place to start. With this approach, we can transform every design challenge into an opportunity to harness the strengths of differently-abled individuals to create better spaces.
As I once read, “People are only disabled when they are confronted with barriers. If those barriers are removed, the disability ceases to exist.” To create truly inclusive environments, we must bridge accessibility and experience through collaboration—between users, government agencies, artists, planners, designers, engineers, and more. By embracing universal design principles, we can foster integrated, holistic communities where everyone thrives, ultimately contributing to the growth and well-being of both individuals and society as a whole.
Do you agree?
To be continued…
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