Overcoming Barriers: Creating Physical, Social, and Economic Access through Modular Design as Activism

Author

• Sarah Biesterveld

Files

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28174

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

URI

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Abstract

10% of the population has difficulty using stairs; most due to a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or walker. That is about 24,000 people in the Fargo-Moorhead area alone. In today’s built environment there are exceptions within ADA codes allowing buildings constructed prior to the enactment of the codes to remain exempt if renovation is not “readily achievable”- easily accomplished and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense. Everyone deserves dignity, confidence, and access to the same experience while in our built environment. Many building entrances are not accessible, if they are, it is by a secondary entrance. This ‘separate but equal’ mentality segregates able and non-able bodies. How can we change current social norms about disability? I created access into existing buildings through a modular installation that is easy to assemble, afford, replicate, and made with minimal waste. This design is, by the code definition, ‘readily achievable’ for business owners. If we use our voices and question the status quo we will be agents for equal access. Making this problem visible to the public will incentivize the building owners that have an inaccessible entry to take a step towards inclusion. Change happens when we come together as a community and demand it.

Recommended Citation

Biesterveld, Sarah, "Overcoming Barriers: Creating Physical, Social, and Economic Access through Modular Design as Activism" (2018). Architecture Theses. 213.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/architecture-theses/213