Examine supporting facilities for a positive user experience
By Stephanie Fujimura
Most people who think about accessibility in aquatic facilities probably consider pool features such as lifts, ramps, and stairs. While aquatic function is the primary purpose of such a facility, they should not overlook the role that supporting facilities play in the overall user experience. A holistic facility is more inclusive and thus can be enjoyed by all users, irrespective of physical abilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination in several areas, including public accommodations and access to state and local government programs and services, including a municipal aquatic facility. The ADA has four primary goals: full participation, equal opportunity, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Determining if your facility provides individuals of various physical abilities qualified, reasonable accommodations is a good starting point for design thinking.
While parameters for accessible design have been codified by ADA along with similar regulations to accommodate specific types of limitations, this design will benefit all users because physical abilities are not static. All people experience changes—both temporary and permanent—in their abilities, due to variables such as age, injury, disorders and disease, pregnancy, and so on that may affect how individuals move through daily activities.
Accessible design begins in the parking lot and the path from a vehicle to the facility entry, and then leads to the programmatic elements—from multipurpose rooms to lockers to pools, and of course, restrooms and showers, often the primary focus of accessibility.