Inclusive design

Fundamental turning circles should be provided at key decision points in routes of travel and in all areas with dead-end conditions to provide adequate space for a person to turn around without having to back up. Due to unique conditions, some space types may require larger or smaller maneuvering space—so make sure to verify within the space types requirements. Turning circles should always be clear of any obstruction or overlap with any fixtures, furniture or other parts of the built environment.

Code requirements serve very few. Less than 50% of persons using manual and power wheelchairs can make a 360° turn in a 1,525 mm (5 ft) turning circle.

A turning circle that will accommodate 95% of persons using manual and power wheelchairs would be 2,100 mm (6 ft 11 in.) and 50% of scooters.

An additional 685.8 mm (1 ft 3 in.) would accommodate almost everyone. A 2,500 mm (8 ft 3 in.) turning circle would accommodate 95% of scooters used.

There are many types and sizes of wheeled mobility devices on the market, including manual chairs, powered chairs and electric scooters. The universal clear floor space to accommodate 95% of the population using wheeled mobility devices is at minimum 860 mm x 1,480 mm (34 in. x 58 in.), trending towards 900 mm x 1,500 mm (5 ft x 3 ft) as a best practice.

Clear floor space should be provided in front of all:

Clear floor space should also be incorporated into seating arrangements and areas of assembly so that a person using a mobility device can use the clear floor space without having to modify any furniture.

All clear floor spaces should be located on an accessible path of travel and always be clear of any obstruction or overlap with fixtures, furniture or any path of travel.

With the swing door open 90°, the door’s clear opening width is measured between the face of the door and the stop on the strike jamb.

With sliding doors, the door’s clear opening width is measured between the edge of the door when fully open and the stop on the strike jamb.

At minimum, all legacy sites should provide doors with a clear door width that’s the AD’s required 815 mm (2 ft 8 in.) measurement.

The fundamental requirements for swing and sliding doors include:

Where possible, consider implementing the aspirational dimension clear door width of 950 mm (37 in.) as it will accommodate an even greater percentage of the population who use wheeled mobility devices.

Provide PDOs in the following locations:

PDOs should have or be:

Use an elongated PDO that’s at minimum 150 mm x 725 mm (6 in. x 29 in.), located between 200 mm to 900 mm (8 in. to 35 in.) above the finished floor (AFF).

The height of elements within the workspace is critical to creating a flexible, independently usable environment. Ensure all elements are reachable from the seated position or for a person of shorter stature. These guidelines include providing adequate access to elements within workspaces, amenity spaces and building controls that are to be operated.

To accommodate persons using mobility devices:

Providing knee clear space at counters, desks and tables is essential for an equitable experience within the workplace, and to ensure the space is functionally accessible. Where services are provided, such as reception counters and cashiers, providing face-to-face interaction through a forward approach is important to an equitable experience.

Knee clearance should at minimum provide:

*Consider using the aspirational dimension for turn circles where possible or appropriate.

Primary routes must be at least 1,800 mm (71 in.) in width. They are intended for frequent, two-way travel. Primary routes connect with the main entry point and are designed to avoid dead ends.

Secondary routes must be at least 1,500 mm (59 in.) in width. They are intended for frequent, one-way travel. Secondary routes connect with the primary rout within 30 m (98 ft 5.1 in.). Where dead ends exist in secondary routes, provide a 2,100 mm (83 in.) turning circle.*

Tertiary routes must be at least 1,100 mm (43 in.). These routes are intended for limited occupant use one-way travel and should connect with secondary or primary routes within 30 m (98 ft 5.1 in.). Where dead ends exist in tertiary routes, provide a 2,100 mm (83 in.) turning circle.*

Workstation routes must be at least 1,100 mm (43 in.) and include a 550 mm (22 in.) clearance for the chair space so that space is provided for the chair outside the clear path. Where the workstation route serves more than 8 seats, or is longer than 7.5 m (24 ft 7.3 in.), the route must not terminate at a dead end without providing a 2,100 mm (83 in.) turning circle* at the dead end outside the workstation seats.

Meeting room routes in accessible meeting rooms must include an adequate path throughout the room to provide access to all services, including whiteboards and any technology. This path must be at least 1,100 mm (43 in.) wide and include a 550 mm (22 in.) clearance for chair space so that space is provided for a chair outside the clear path. Include a 2,100 mm (83 in.) turning circle* within the meeting room clear of the table and allocate a space outside the accessible route to store a chair

*Consider using the aspirational dimension for turn circles where possible or appropriate.

Accessible all-gender restrooms provide a space that’s equitable and designed for everyone. Check local code requirements as all-gender restrooms are mandated in some jurisdictions.

The following ratios apply to newly leased sites:

Unless there are site constraints, all-gender restrooms should be centrally located, immediately adjacent to gender-specific restrooms. Where immediate adjacency is not provided, it should be located no further than 45 m (147 ft 7.7 in.) from the gender-specific restrooms.

Where possible, it’s recommended to provide a minimum of one accessible all-gender restroom per each grouping of gendered restrooms.

Tonal contrast is a percentage value measuring the difference between two surfaces. The greater the difference in brightness levels, the greater the contrast.

Tonal contrast levels are central to how people navigate and understand the built environment. For effective implementation, tonal contrast should be used thoughtfully and consistently throughout an environment to identify key zones, destinations, features and hazards.

For key elements in the built environment, the contrast level should be at least 50%, whereas the contrast level on signs and pictograms should be at least 70%.

Tonal and brightness contrast is measured through light reflectance values (LRVs) and comparing the adjacent colors’ LRV and the calculation for determining tonal contrast is as follows: Tonal contrast = [(B1-B2) x 100] / B1 (B1: Color 1, B2: Color 2)

Tonal contrast should be provided between: