The essential guide explores six considerations for creating more accessible, equitable and intuitive building openings
Allegion, launched the Accessible & Inclusive Design: Elevating Compliance e-book to help architects, facility professionals and building owners create more accessible, equitable and intuitive building openings.
The guide was introduced in recognition of the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), providing practical considerations for moving beyond basic compliance and designing spaces that support accessibility, independence and inclusion.
Moving Beyond ADA Compliance
“The ADA established essential requirements that have transformed the accessibility of the built environment, but code compliance should be viewed as the foundation rather than the finish line,” shared Lori Greene, DAHC/CDC, FDAI, FDHI, founder of the iDigHardware blog and Allegion codes and resources manager.
“Thoughtfully considering inclusivity in totality can help building professionals move beyond checking boxes and make more informed decisions about how openings function for people with a wide range of abilities. We created this guide to clarify key considerations and help project teams design spaces that are not only compliant, but more inclusive and intuitive.”
Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the ADA established protections against discrimination for people with disabilities and helped advance accessibility across public spaces. For door and hardware professionals, its influence extends to the design of building openings that enable safer and more seamless movement.
Designing For A Wider Range Of Users
“Inclusive design requires us to consider the full range of people who may interact with a product or space and recognize that each person may experience it differently,” said Ana Sofia Esquivel, Industrial Designer and Usability Specialist at Allegion.
“Details such as the shape and placement of hardware, the amount of force required to operate a door, and the visual, tactile or auditory information available can have a meaningful impact on the user experience. By incorporating accessibility into the design process from the beginning, we can create products and openings that work better for everyone.”
Six Considerations For Inclusive Opening Design
The e-book examines inclusive opening design through design, code compliance and product solutions. It covers six key considerations:
- How automatic operators can support more inclusive doorway design
- Why ergonomic door hardware is important when designing for a broad range of users
- How low-force door operation can improve accessibility
- How tactile and auditory cues can enhance accessibility
- How visual communication can make door hardware more intuitive
- Why reducing physical barriers is essential to inclusive opening design
Allegion (NYSE: ALLE) designs and manufactures security and access solutions for residential and commercial environments. Its portfolio includes hardware, software and electronic solutions from brands such as CISA, Interflex, LCN, Schlage, SimonsVoss and Von Duprin.
Internal Links
https://security.world/linking-security-allegion-showcases-interoperability-and-access-innovation/
External Links
https://us.allegion.com/
FAQs
What Is Allegion’s New Inclusive Design E-Book?
Accessible & Inclusive Design: Elevating Compliance is a free guide covering accessibility, inclusive design and building-opening considerations for architects, facility professionals and building owners.
What Does The Allegion E-Book Cover?
The guide covers automatic operators, ergonomic hardware, low-force operation, tactile and auditory cues, visual communication and reducing physical barriers.
Why Is Inclusive Door Design Important?
Inclusive door design can make building openings easier and more intuitive to use for people with a wide range of abilities while supporting accessibility and independence.
Is Inclusive Design Different From ADA Compliance?
Yes. ADA compliance establishes essential accessibility requirements, while inclusive design considers how products and spaces can work more effectively for a broader range of users.
Who Can Benefit From The Guide?
Architects, facility professionals, building owners, door and hardware professionals, and project teams can use the guide when planning accessible and inclusive building openings.
Source: allegion.com