Accessible America

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Have you ever activated automatic doors, used ergonomic kitchen tools, or navigated curb cuts with a stroller? If so, you've experienced the benefits of accessible design, which caters to individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. These features, now commonplace, were once the result of persistent advocacy by disability rights activists who fought to integrate the needs of people with disabilities into public design. This struggle evolved into a civil rights issue in the U.S., particularly after World War II, as returning veterans and the polio epidemic brought disability issues to the forefront. The U.S. led the way in establishing federal accessibility laws, starting with the Architectural Barriers Act in 1968 and culminating in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which transformed our built environment. However, this journey was fraught with challenges. Initial legislation and design initiatives were often inconsistent and poorly executed, facing significant political and professional resistance. Many architects and designers dismissed accessible design as not being "real" design. The question remains: Can design truly be for all?