An Anniversary…. 30 years of the A.D.A.
This year marks an important anniversary; it’s been 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law of the land in the United States. Specifically on July 26th, 1990, then President George H.W. Bush signed the A.D.A. into law, that banned discrimination against millions of people. Schools, courthouses, and other buildings serving the public where now required to provide accommodations to people with disabilities.
A major civil rights landmark, perhaps the most significant since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the A.D.A. not only protected the rights of those born with a disability, but secured the same rights for people that would experience disability temporarily. It also created a sense of identity and empowerment for so many people that proudly call themselves disabled.
For the practice of architecture the A.D.A. established a set of standards for inclusive design. Although they’re sometimes oversimplified as ramps serving buildings, these standards are so much more. From door hardware and floor surface materiality, to mounting heights of power outlets and geometry of handrails, the A.D.A. addressed ergonomic issues in the design of our built environment. Furthermore it promoted a new way of thinking for architects and designers, and instilled the sense of duty of serving everyone through design.
However, there are unfortunate examples, where the A.D.A. has been reduced to a mere checklist of minimum requirements to meet code.
There’s been a lot of ruse around the recently completed Hudson Yards, the mega-development that promises to transform the west side of lower Manhattan from an abandoned post-industrial no-man’s land to a 21st century commercial hub. The centerpiece of this new development is the Vessel, a striking structure of 154 flights of stairs and 80 landings designed by the world-renowned British designer Thomas Heatherwick. The Vessel provides a unique visitor experience with different vistas of Hudson Yards and the Hudson River as one ascends the 16 levels to the top of the structure. Unless the visitor has a disability that prohibits them from using the stairs. There are of course some very expensive, glass enclosed elevators that can move people up and down the Vessel, therefore one would argue that A.D.A. is satisfied and those disabled visitors are accommodated. But is the experience the same? A person riding in the elevator has a completely different experience than another person, who is free to ascend at their own pace and stop at every landing to take in the views. Isn’t it discriminatory to prohibit the same experience for people that can and cannot use the stairs?
Another recent example of a highly regarded and highly anticipated work of architecture is the Hunters Point Community Library. Designed by AIA Gold Medal recipient Steven Holl. The building itself has been hailed as an instant landmark of Queens’ waterfront along the East River facing Manhattan. It’s monolithic concrete shell, with the large organic window openings create an elegant juxtaposition. The interior experience is even more striking, as a series of platforms host bookcases with the library’s collection are tiered within the cavernous concrete shell. These platforms are interconnected by a zig-zagging series of stairs that are adjacent to the the large organic openings, offering spectacular views of Louis Kahn’s Four Freedoms Park, layered over the United Nations complex and Manhattan skyline across the river. Again, the visitor’s experience is different if one cannot use stairs. As a matter of fact the elevator here is not as extravagant as the ones at the Vessel, just a large-cabin freight elevator that is located away from all the spectacular views and it makes no apologies about its utilitarian nature.
Although both buildings were heralded as architectural masterpieces, they both drew massive criticism upon their respective openings from disability advocacy groups, architecture critics, and the general public. However, both were A.D.A. compliant since they provided accessible means of circulation. The failure of both buildings lies in the fact that they reduced the A.D.A. to a checklist of minimum requirements to receive a building permit. Perhaps the more insulting of the two is the Hunters Point Community Library. The Vessel could be justified as a very expensive tourist attraction, built by a private developer, on private property, with private funds. By contrast the Library is by definition a public building, constructed with public taxpayers’ funds (a cool $40M), meant to be welcome everyone.
On this anniversary we need to take a moment to recognize the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act as a major civil rights achievement. But such landmarks can quickly become relics of the past if we don’t strive to do better as professionals and as society...
