Introduction
Progressive cities worldwide are in the rat race of how to create the most appropriate and comfortable spaces for all people, regardless of their abilities and physical peculiarities. This essay will depict a particular investigation concerning specific issues of the observed chosen space. A staircase in the author’s flat was chosen as a space to be considered. The explored staircase as a space that is supposed to align with Universal Design showed various issues that worsened its use, especially for people with disabilities.
The Things That Are Not Working
While considering the things that are not working in the space, first, it is crucial to mention handrails. The handrails in my staircase do not have special notches that allow the person to grab them confidently enough. It means that in the situation of falling, the person will not be able to obtain support from handrails while holding them strongly (Silvester et al., n. d.). To improve this situation, it is recommended to construct the correct handrails design, which will allow one to grab them strongly.
Another negative aspect of the chosen space is the stairs and their steepness. Particularly, the incline of the steps is so dramatic that the person’s feet can slide. Taking into account that there are no limitations in the budget, it will be appropriate to rebuild the stairs and change their angle.
Finally, the third mistake that was made during the construction of the staircase is its main entrance, which connects the street with the building. Particularly, it does not have a transparent door with glass. Remarkably, doors with glasses through which the person can observe the situation on the street significantly increase safety and the person’s confidence (Verma, 2021). Therefore, it will be vital to change the old door to the modern one with a glass window.
The Things That Are Working Well
On the other hand, there are particular things that work well. First, the width of the doorways is appropriate for any type of human body. For example, people with obesity can use these doors without limitations. The second aspect that was found during staircase observation is appropriate lightning. The people can comfortably operate with all objects and see them clearly (ADA.gov, 2020).
The third positive aspect of the staircase is its elevator. It has wide doors, an intuitive action panel, and enough light inside. Notably, there is no need for improvement for all the above-mentioned points due to their sufficient functioning and comfort for the people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to highlight that various aspects influence a person’s confidence and safety in a specific space. The staircase is a vital room for people that connects the street with their houses. Consequently, such aspects as lightning, safety, and comfort should be established through all elements of this space. The considered staircase has both pros and cons in terms of Universal Design and should be improved according to these guidelines.
References
ADA.gov. (2020). ADA update: A primer for state and local governments. ADA.gov. Web.
Silvester, K., Chaterdon, K., & Bentley, E. (n. d.). Conducting a Spatial Analysis through the Lens of Universal Design. Writing Commons. Web.
Verma, I. (2021). Universal design 2021: From special to mainstream solutions. IOS Press.