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Older building codes referred to specific design elements useful for disabled people as “Handicap Design”. However, the term handicap design accentuated the negativity of a disability as being a handicap for a person and stigmatized them rather than acknowledging their abilities. Therefore in subsequent years the term “Barrier Free Design” was utilized to denote the elimination of barriers in a buildings design.

Thus for many years the term Barrier Free was noted in building codes and referred to a building and its facilities that can be approached, entered and used by persons with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Recently the term “Universal Design” has been coined in the same context, but to emphasize more inclusivity with a broader technical definition as follows.

Universal design is an approach to designing products, environments, and systems to be usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age, ability, or other factors. The goal of universal design is to create inclusive and accessible spaces and products that accommodate a wide range of users, rather than requiring specific modifications for individuals with disabilities.

Throughout the years several design standards have been developed regarding the concepts of barrier free (universal) design. Several provinces had their own design guides regarding the subject, however, in Canada the CSA B651 “Accessible Design for the Built Environment” is the standard. Within the United States the standards are directed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). Therefore, when someone indicates something is ADA compliant they are referencing the American standard, which may be different than the Canadian CSA B651 standard.

Regardless of what handles or standards are used to describe the approach for designing a building utilized by anyone with a disability, the majority of the required elements remain rather the same. As mentioned previously barrier free design encompasses elements for physical, mental and sensory disabilities. Although the one that is the most emphasized is that for someone with a physical disability and thus being mobility issues. Therefore, to accommodate that aspect, the first element required is “space”.

Generally someone with a physical mobility disability will require a walker, wheelchair for indoors and a scooter for outdoor ambulation.

Although some may only required a cane or crutches for ambulation. The design for a mobility issue is normally based around a wheelchair, and as such requires “space” to move around and access elements within the space.