In order to explore the accessibility of Emory Campus, I spent 24 hours walking around the campus only using handicap-accessible pathways. In this medium post, examples of good and bad accessibility designs will be covered. Below is an annotated map of Emory Main Campus located in Atlanta, Georgia.
On the tour around the campus, I spotted 7 good accessibility designs and 5 inconvenient places. On the annotated map below, the 7 good designs are labeled with blue icons and numbers (1–7), while the inaccessible designs are labeled with red icons and numbers (8–12). Examples with pictures will be discussed in later sections in sequential order.
Good Accessibility Designs
- The front door of Chemistry Building (2040) has automatic powered doors in the front. On pushing the accessibility button, the doors will be opened automatically.
2. The front of White Hall (1380) has an automatic door and a wheelchair ramp. The front door automatically detects passing-bys and opens, which is also connected to the wheelchair ramp, providing an accessible path for people.
3. The Emory Quad (29) is connected to Callaway Building with a ramp, which is very convenient for people with needs.
4. In the front of Emory Woodruff Library (1980), the doors are connected to the paths in the form of a flat ramp.
5. The accessible parking places next to the Dobbs (3050) have no bumps or stairs, which makes parking and leaving very convenient.
6. The Emory Police Emergency Call Boxes (3050) around the campus have Braille (for blind people). Braille is a tactile writing system composed of raised dots that can be read with the fingertips. The height of the emergency buttons is also very reachable.
7. The Dobbs Common Table (1028) has buttons to open the powered doors on the side of the front. The design makes entering the dining hall easier for people with needs. There are also elevators inside taking people to higher floors of the Student Center.
Bad Accessibility Designs
8. Going back to White Hall (1380), when people need to enter/exit the building from the back side, the door is manual and the stairs are steep. There are no automatic buttons to help open the door or a wheelchair ramp leading downstairs. In order for people with needs to exit the building, they need to exit from the front door and circle around the building, which is a much longer route than usual.
9. In the front of Michael C. Carlos Museum (1571) next to the Quad, there is a stair to the front entrance with no ramps at all. People with needs have to enter from the other side of the building.
10. The pickup box in the front of Woodruff Library (1580) has boxes too high for reaching. Normal students have trouble taking out parcels from the top of the shelf. People with mobility troubles cannot possibly reach the upper shelf either.
11. The Tarbutton Hall (1249) has steep stairs at the entrance, which are inaccessible for people with mobility issues.
12. The roundabout near the Dobbs (1028) has a very steep ramp. People with mobility issues might have trouble moving through. There are also bad bumps near the area which causes extra hardship for commuting.
Conclusion
On the 24-hour “accessible tour” around the campus, I discovered 7 good accessible design examples and 5 bad examples on the Emory Main Campus. Most buildings provide accessible entrances and pathways that are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Some important spots like the emergency box have accessible signage and wayfinding systems that include Braille and other tactile elements. Most areas provide accessible parking spaces and drop-off zones for individuals with disabilities. On the other hand, certain spots (shown in the examples above) have no/low accessibility designs, which can make accessing and commuting inconvenient for people with needs. Some totally ignored the accessibility design principles, while others are inconsiderate or not well-designed.
Date: 3/15/2023
Author: Yulin Hu
Course Instructor: Dr. Emily Wall