Human Accessibility

Accessibility is the design of devices, environments, services, and products for people with disabilities that include a range of physical, sensory, mental, cognitive, developmental or intellectual impairments. In an effort to best provide equal access to physical spaces and environments as well as social, political, and economic resources, accessibility design attempts to offer both direct (unassisted) and indirect (assisted with technology) universal access to the world. Common forms of assistive technologies for humans include mobility technologies such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, walkers, canes, visual technologies like braille and screen readers, auditory technologies in hearing aids and listening devices, and cognitive aids from software to memory devices.

Accessibility in relation to design refers to how easily one who is disabled can navigate a building or structure. The ultimate aim of accessible design is to present both equal opportunity and equal use of the built environment for those with and without a disability, temporary or permanent. Accessibility in the design of houses has become of more importance due to aging seniors’ desires to continue to age and live independently. As such, it is the responsibility of developers and designers to consider wishes such as these and make sure accessible design features are implemented in their buildings and projects where necessary.

What does ADA stand for?

ADA stands for the American with Disabilities Act and is a federal law that was enacted to prohibit discrimination against any individual with a disability. This includes employment, hiring, promotions, discharge, training, and benefits of employment. ADA is enforced by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

What is a disability?

Under the ADA a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who may have a record of an impairment, but do not currently have a disability. A disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movement, senses, or activities.

How long is short term disability?

Short term disability lasts only a specific period of time, which is typically several months and up to 1 year. Generally, you receive benefits for a short term disability from your insurance after a waiting period of up to 14 days.

* Under Development *

Related Collections
Accessibility Guides
Browse through our curated Accessibility Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Accessibility. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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Wheelchairs
Illustration of the dimensions of a standard wheelchair showing depth and heights

Wheelchairs are chairs with wheels designed to serve users that are unable to, or have difficulty with, walking due to injury, illness, or disability. Standardized dimensions and related clearances for wheelchairs directly impact the built environment by establishing required widths and turning radii mandated in an effort to make public buildings accessible for all people. Wheelchairs come in a variety of types based on technology, methods of propulsion, and specific uses that leads us to a range of chairs that include everyday manual chairs, sport chairs, custom chairs for challenging terrains, standing position chairs, and motorized chairs.

A typical wheelchair has a length of 42” (106.7 cm), a height of 36” (91.4 cm), seat heights around 19.5” (49.5 cm), and a width of 25” (63.5 cm).

Drawings with dimensions of Wheelchairs labeled from front, back, collapsed, and plan views
Wheelchairs are chairs with wheels designed to serve users that are unable to, or have difficulty with, walking due to injury, illness, or disability.

A typical wheelchair has a length of 42” (106.7 cm), a height of 36” (91.4 cm), seat heights around 19.5” (49.5 cm), and a width of 25” (63.5 cm).

Drawings with dimensions of Wheelchairs labeled from front, back, collapsed, and plan views
Wheelchairs
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Length: 42” | 106.7 cm
Height (Overall): 36” | 91.4 cm
Height (Seat): 19.5” | 49.5 cm
Width: 25” | 63.5 cm
Width (Folded): 11” | 28 cm

Drawings include:
Wheelchair side elevation, front, back, front (folded), plan

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Wheelchair Users - Side

Collection of male and female wheelchair users drawn from the side elevation. Representing various postures that include moving, resting, and waiting, these side elevation drawings of wheelchair users should be incorporated into architectural drawings to ensure that consideration and space has been provided to meet accessibility demands.

Wheelchairs have a standard overall length/depth of 42” (106.7 cm) and seated users have an overall height between 48”-53” (122-135 cm).

Collection of drawings of assorted male and female Wheelchair Users viewed from the side elevation
Collection of male and female wheelchair users drawn from the side elevation. Representing various postures that include moving, resting, and waiting, these side elevation drawings of wheelchair users should be incorporated into architectural drawings to ensure that consideration is provided.

Wheelchairs have a standard overall length/depth of 42” (106.7 cm) and seated users have an overall height between 48”-53” (122-135 cm).

Collection of drawings of assorted male and female Wheelchair Users viewed from the side elevation
Wheelchair Users - Side
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Wheelchair Length | Depth: 42” | 106.7 cm
Height (Human Sitting Overall): 48”-53” | 122-135 cm

Drawings include:
Wheelchair Users side elevation (male and female)

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Wheelchair Users - Back

Collection of male and female wheelchair users drawn from the back elevation. Including multiple user positions, these back elevations of wheelchair users can be used to provide scale and context when meeting and designing required accessible widths in spaces.

Wheelchairs have a standard overall width of 25” (63.5 cm) and seated users range in height from 48”-53” (122-135 cm).

Drawings of male and female Wheelchair Users viewed from the back profile
Collection of male and female wheelchair users drawn from the back elevation. Including multiple user positions, these back elevations of wheelchair users can be used to provide scale and context when meeting and designing required accessible widths in spaces.

Wheelchairs have a standard overall width of 25” (63.5 cm) and seated users range in height from 48”-53” (122-135 cm).

Drawings of male and female Wheelchair Users viewed from the back profile
Wheelchair Users - Back
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Wheelchair Width: 25” | 63.5 cm
Height (Human Sitting Overall): 48”-53” | 122-135 cm

Drawings include:
Wheelchair Users back elevation (male and female)

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Walking | Assistive Cane
Drawing diagramming the range of motion of a Walking Cane to the side and to the front of a person

Walking canes, also known as assistive canes or walking sticks, are a form of mobility aid that redistribute weight away from injured or weak lower limbs. The basic cane is made up of a handle for a comfortable grip, a collar to connect the handle to the shaft, the shaft for transmitting weight load, and the ferrule (tip) for being a tactile interface that adjusts to the ground surface. Outside of injury and assisted general support and movement, canes are often used for a variety of needs that include aging, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, arthritis, diabetes, and other conditions.

Fit, comfort, and safety are paramount for the effectiveness of a cane and the first step to accomplish these goals is correctly fitting a cane to a person. To size a walking stick for an individual, measure the distance from a flat floor surface to their wrist joint while they are wearing standard walking shoes. From this dimension, round down to the nearest size available or place a custom order. Another simple way to estimate cane length is to divide an individual’s height by two and find the closest cane size within 1” (2.5 cm) from this measurement.

Collection of drawings illustrating the correct heights of canes relative to the heights of people for sizing purposes
Walking canes, or assistive canes, are a form of mobility aid that redistribute weight away from injured or weak lower limbs. To size a walking stick for an individual, measure the distance from a flat floor surface to their wrist joint while they are wearing standard walking shoes.

Fit, comfort, and safety are paramount for the effectiveness of a cane and the first step to accomplish these goals is correctly fitting a cane to a person. To size a walking stick for an individual, measure the distance from a flat floor surface to their wrist joint while they are wearing standard walking shoes. From this dimension, round down to the nearest size available or place a custom order. Another simple way to estimate cane length is to divide an individual’s height by two and find the closest cane size within 1” (2.5 cm) from this measurement.

Collection of drawings illustrating the correct heights of canes relative to the heights of people for sizing purposes
Walking | Assistive Cane
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Length: 30”-36” | 76-91 cm
Fit: Measured from floor to wrist joint
Range (Front): 35° from vertical
Range (Side): 6” | 15 cm
Range (Vertical): 27” | 68.5 cm

Drawings include:
Walking Canes side elevation (elderly men and women), front (elderly men)

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Wheelchair Users - Front

Mixed assortment of drawings of male and female wheelchair users as viewed from a front elevation. Sitting in varied postures from active to passive, these front elevations of wheelchair users are helpful when illustrating and demonstrating required widths of spaces that account for accessibility.

Wheelchairs have a standard overall width of 25” (63.5 cm) and seated users range in height from 48”-53” (122-135 cm).

Collection of drawings of male and female Wheelchair Users illustrated from the front
Mixed assortment of drawings of male and female wheelchair users as viewed from a front elevation. Sitting in varied postures from active to passive, these front elevations of wheelchair users are helpful when illustrating and demonstrating required widths of spaces that account for accessibility.

Wheelchairs have a standard overall width of 25” (63.5 cm) and seated users range in height from 48”-53” (122-135 cm).

Collection of drawings of male and female Wheelchair Users illustrated from the front
Wheelchair Users - Front
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Wheelchair Width: 25” | 63.5 cm
Height (Human Sitting Overall): 48”-53” | 122-135 cm

Drawings include:
Wheelchair Users front elevation (male and female)

Details & Downloads

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Related Humans Collections
Humans