The AODA has standards for the design of public spaces, but no standards for accessibility in other built environments. However, the Third Review of the AODA recommends improvements to all standards and laws governing buildings and public spaces. In addition, the review recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country. For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) have developed federal standards for accessibility in the built environment. Future AODA standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make buildings more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal built environment standards for accessible building controls.
Accessible Building Controls
Building controls are features that people can operate, including:
- Door handles
- Locks
- Home security systems
- Window controls
- Light switches
- Electrical outlets
- Faucets on sinks, tubs, or showers
- Thermostats
- Appliances
- Elevator controls
- Fire alarm pull stations
The standards list requirements to make all controls as accessible as possible. For example, the standards provide measurements for clear floor space near controls, so that people can reach them. People using assistive devices should be able to approach controls from the front or from either side. Likewise, the standards list height ranges for controls, which people should be able to operate while sitting or standing.
In addition, people should be able to operate controls with one hand, and with their fists closed. Similarly, people should not need to:
- Grasp tightly
- Pinch
- Twist their wrists
However, locks with keys, and other security features, are exceptions.
Moreover, the standards recommend electronic or automated controls that people can operate using their phones or other mobile devices. Alternatively, controls can be designed to provide different forms of feedback. For example, buttons to send an elevator to a building’s main floor contain a star that people can recognize by touch and sight. Similarly, buttons can be different:
- Shapes
- Sizes
- Textures
Likewise, an alarm can flash, beep, and vibrate.
Finally, the standards list requirements for adequate lighting, good colour contrast, and absence of glare on controls with screens.