See Some Examples of Accessible Design

Opportunities for Improvement

Click on an image below to learn about where improvements could be made to make an space more accessible.  

Good Practice Examples

Click on an image below to learn about some examples of good practice in urban design enabling a more accessible environment.

Sidewalks need to form a complete network unlike this sidewalk to nowhere.

Great effort at tree conservation however how would someone with a cane anticipate this obstacle?

Ramp and truncated domes for texture guide people in a specific direction. Here that direction is out into traffic.

Curb cuts make driveways accessible for vehicles however the constant grade can be hard on seniors and people with mobility limitations.

Providing textures to assist in identifying safe crossings need to cover a full service area. The bus is unlikely to line up with the limited area of texture at this stop.

Maintenance is required to ensure accessible features remain functional.

Avoid obstacles protruding out into pedestrian space forcing people with mobility limits to move into traffic.

Pushing pedestrians onto temporary street space reduces safety and mobility.

Avoid creating potential conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.

Be prepared to adapt maintenance to seasonal change. Avoid ice buildup and ponding on sidewalks.

Consistency in implementation is key. Monitor street improvements for performance.

Ensure construction avoids accessibility barriers or provides alternatives safe routes.

The combination of textures and colours can help to define changes in grade and separate spaces to create a more safe feeling environment.

Navigation signs help people find both themselves and their destination. To ensure accessibility ensure that colours have strong contrast and fonts are an easily legible size - no smaller than 16 point.

Make use of braille along with good contrasting fonts when communicating signs.

Keep information displays at eye level so people can move closer in order to read.

include street signs near eye level on multiple corners at each intersection.

Combine ramps with textures and audible crossing signals.

Use large text and contrasting colours for signs.

The war memorial in Hobart, Tasmania plays audio dictation of text on the panels when a visitor approaches.

Providing ample alternate space for pedestrians when sidewalk space is taken over by restaurants, patios or other uses.

Accessibility can look different at night from daytime. Adequate lighting is important.

Bollards can indicate a separation of spaces and increase safety.

Short terms solutions can be used to remove access barriers like this temporary ramp.

A Canadian Leader

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Changes to design standards are improving accessibility for people with diverse needs in the City of Calgary.