Accessible design moving into the home WHEN YOU think of accessible design, what comes to mind? Wheelchair ramps? Wide doors in public washrooms? Raised Ietter- ing next to elevator buttons? The fact is, accessible design improves the life of everyone at some point, whether we nee to use a ramp limping on crutches after a ski accident, a curb cut to push an infant stroller onto the sidewalk or our elbow on a lever door handle when our hands are full, For those 65 years of age and older, accessible design is of in- creasing importance. Older people experience a higher incidence of disabling conditions and it is this segment of society that is growing the fastest. By 2025, it will form almost 19 per cent of Canada’s population, compared to 11 per cent in 1986. The percentages are higher in British Columbia. Accessible design has been part of the B.C. building code since 1979. In 1988, the Premier's Award for Excellence in Accessible Design was established to heighten awareness of the issues of accessi- bility and to recognize design that goes beyond building codes in its innovation and attention to esthetics. For example, in addition to ur- ban building developments, the awards have recognized B.C. Transit’s Skytrain for attention to accessibility. Burnaby Municipality for its development of Variety Park children’s playground, which can be used by children of varying abilities, and a forest district near Powell River for a development Sun Wah Marine that made Inland Lake’s camping, lake and trail facilities accessible to handicapped individuals. The Premier’s Award panel, chaired by former Lieutenant Governor Robert Rogers and in- cluding professionals in the area of accessible design, is currently con- sidering this year’s award nomina- ‘For those 65 years of age and older, accessible design is of increasing importance. ’’ ss tions. Awards will be presented at a special ceremony on June 12, 1990 in conjunction with National Access Awareness Week, June 10 to 16. The Premier’s Awards are to be given in five categories: housing, municipal projects, new buildings, renovated buildings and other pro- jects, such as parks, nature trails, camp sites and public transit facili- ties. Panel member and architect Ben Ostrander of Vancouver says “code accessibility requirements have always been regarded as a punitive thing.’’ But the demographic change, the graying of Canada, is quickly propelling accessible design into mainstream design, says Ostrander. “Suddenly, there is a large mar- ket of seniors and it is a market Choi Kai Yau Products Trading Co. Ltd. Sun Wah Centre — Wah Loong Developments Inc. Jonathan Choi with money.’’ That fact has not been lost on the Canadian Homebuilders’ Association of B.C. which highlighted special marketing of seniors housing at a tecent gathering in Vancouver. “The seniors market will be the major factor in further advances in accessibility,’ add Ostrander. Ostrander also suggests that re- cent moves to de-institutionalize many who would have once been cared for in hospitals or special care homes has accentuated the call for housing that eliminates structural barriers for a wide varie- ty of disabilities. “People are starting to wake up to the idea of accessibility,’’ says Ostrander. ‘‘It has gone from the notion of providing for ‘special’ needs to the idea that disability hits everyone at some time and the idea that it is a fundamental human right to be able to go anywhere.”” Bob Thompson, building stand- ards officer with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, echoes Ostrander’s words, suggesting that “for the last five years, the issue has been ‘access for the disabled.” Now, we are working towards uni- versal access.’ How accessibility has been dealt with in the building code reflects this shift as well, Thompson adds. Previously, ac- cessibility requirements were published separately from the building code as an add-on, named Section 10. Now, accessibility re- quirements are in the body of the building code, as Section 3.7, but are published in a separate book to See Accessibility Page 214 Chu Tim Four Seasons Vinyl Deck Wah Loong (Winnipeg) Ltd. 19 ~ Friday, May 11, 1990 - North Shore News VINYL DECKING — 10-50% OFF All work guaranteed! ¢ weatherproof * same day use © no peeling, cracking or bubbling © textured skid-resistant surface Free Estimates 737-8548 (9 outlets to serve you) RS ‘Y Ask Us About S THE BLTIMATE SPA SHELL environmentally friendly Ze sesrinaton oF Dletng! Now you can buy factory Ayy'ov costo you! direct and save without compromising on quality. Save $800.00