Removing Traffic Lights vs Pedestrian Safety: a Guide to Inclusive Streets

Removing Traffic Lights vs Pedestrian Safety: a Guide to Inclusive Streets

by | 23 Oct, 2020

Removing Traffic Lights vs Pedestrian Safety: a Guide to Inclusive Streets

 

Promoting active mobility and encouraging public transport in our cities of the 21st century often involves removing traffic lights. A change that’s not welcome for all pedestrians, especially the most vulnerable. Locating pedestrian crossings, knowing when to start without running any risk, finding your way in shared space, avoiding bicycles and scooters… are all new difficulties to be overcome for blind or visually impaired pedestrians, but also the elderly or children. How can we ensure that challenging the over dominant position of cars will benefit all pedestrians? Getting rid of traffic lights must be accompanied by measures for the safety and comfort of all. Let’s see what they are!

 

Removing traffic lights for more attentive motorists

The European Union’s Mobility and Transport organization includes the promotion of walking and cycling among its strategies to enable more sustainable transportation in Europe. Local governments are now implementing policies aimed at promoting the practice of active mobility and public transport services and have adopted a Vision Zero approach. In this context, the place of traffic lights at intersections is questioned. Generally perceived as safety features, these traffic signals have however proven over time that they do not prevent accidents. In 2016, 5.320 pedestrians were killed in road accidents in the European Union. Despite all road safety measures, pedestrian fatalities decrease more slowly than road fatalities in general. In the United States as well, about 14% of fatal crashes occur at signals and the large majority of them involve pedestrians. 

According to European studies, removing traffic signals would have many benefits:

⊗ Reducing bad driving practices (e.g. running red lights, accelerating through a yellow light, etc.);

⊗ Reducing vehicle speed;

⊗ Avoiding motorized traffic congestion;

⊗ Decreasing noise and pollution;

⊗ Lowering operating costs. 

So that removing traffic lights brings real benefits in terms of safety, it must of course be accompanied with measures limiting vehicle speed: setting the speed limit at a maximum of 30km/h (20mph), new geometric design, roundabouts, speed-warning signs, shared spaces. 

Seattle is one of the first cities in the United States to study how reducing speed limits and increasing speed limit sign frequency improves safety for everyone. Early results show a decrease in vehicular speeds and a reduction of up to 39% in crashes.

The same applies in Europe. The number of people seriously injured in road accidents dropped by 72% in the German city of Münster when a 30km/h limit was introduced.  

Removing the traffic lights would encourage road users to pay closer attention towards each other. Instead of focusing on the color of the traffic light, they would be more attentive to their environment and to the different movements of pedestrians, cyclists or other motorists.

 

A sense of insecurity for nearly 20% of pedestrians

Despite the speed limit measures associated with the removal of traffic lights, many pedestrians do not feel the benefits and feel unsafe when crossing streets. Moreover, even in the presence of traffic lights, observations show that, if most of the pedestrians, the most mobile and abled, do not respect the pedestrian red phase and start crossing as soon as the way is clear, about 20% do not dare to walk until the signal has turned green. These are the elderly, children, parents with strollers, disabled people, those who carry heavy loads, in short, all pedestrians with reduced mobility. And so these are the same people who suffer from the removal of traffic lights. Even though their safety is theoretically ensured by reducing speed, their sense of insecurity is real.

In 2016, a new mobility strategy was implemented in Amsterdam to make more room for cyclists and pedestrians while limiting space for vehicles. In this context, traffic lights were removed from a busy junction. When cyclists were asked whether the traffic lights were necessary, the majority was undecided because they had never thought about this question. But about a third said “absolutely yes”. The proportion is approximately the same among pedestrians as show the results of an experiment led in Paris.

According to most road regulations in the world, motorists have to reduce their speed when they approach an intersection and get ready to stop when someone is waiting to cross the street. Failing to comply with this rule is punished with severe fines and other penalties (e.g. driving license suspension or revocation).

Despite these very deterrent measures, you just have to stand for a few minutes near a pedestrian crossing and observe to realize that the rule is not followed by the majority of motorists. Therefore, pedestrians do not cross for fear of being struck by a vehicle and motorists do not stop for fear of being struck by the vehicle behind them.

 

Impossible eye contact for blind or visually impaired pedestrians

Showing your intention to cross the street and communicating with cyclists or motorists require eye contact, gestures and expressions, a language that is inaccessible to blind or visually impaired people. They can only rely on auditory clues.

And they are not the only ones suffering from this situation! Judging by the growing number of pedestrians who are focused on their smartphones, visual communication between road users is increasingly compromised.

Smombies: the New Safety Challenge for Cities in the 21st Century 

Some cities in Japan, China or Australia have already taken measures to solve this new safety issue: dedicated sidewalks, warning signs or flashing lights on pavements at dangerous intersections, etc. 

In France, the RATP group has teamed up with Okeenea to alert smartphone addicts using the app AMY connected to aBeacon, an audible pedestrian signal primarily designed for blind and visually impaired pedestrians.

 

The importance of making spaces legible and understandable

To meet the diverse needs of road users, reducing speed alone is not enough to create a sense of safety. What causes the most difficulties for the blind or visually impaired, but also for the elderly or anyone with a deficit in cognitive or intellectual abilities, is the lack of legibility of spaces. The non-regulation of flows by traffic lights and the creation of shared spaces generate disorganized or erratic movements. However, people with visual impairments learn to listen to traffic flows by ear to find their way around. No longer possible under these conditions.

Remember that the proportion of people over 75 in the population is expected to double within 40 years and that the risk of developing a visual impairment increases with age. At the same time, the ability to assess danger, distances and traffic speeds decreases. The multiplication of modes of travel (bicycles, scooters, etc.) and the appearance of silent vehicles further increase the difficulty. It is therefore essential that the most vulnerable pedestrians can move in spaces where they feel safe.

The ultimate guide to accessible pedestrian signals. I want it!

Visual, tactile and auditory cues

To meet the need for legibility of space expressed by the most vulnerable pedestrians, town planners must ensure that they maintain visual, tactile and auditory cues in cities.

Even in the absence of pedestrian signals, it is recommended to maintain audible markings at street intersections so that blind or visually impaired people can identify places where they can cross. After having removed traffic lights on intersections, the French city of Rouen has installed audio beacons, which can be activated on demand with a remote control or smartphone app, and can be combined with flashing lights to alert motorists of the presence of vulnerable pedestrians.

Reducing speed and creating traffic-calmed areas means removing any device that might suggest the right-of-way of motorists over pedestrians, such as the traditional white strips of zebra crossings. However, to feel safe, the most vulnerable pedestrians do need dedicated spaces. This is the principle of the “comfort space” introduced by the British Department for Transport, in its Local Transport Note about shared spaces published in 2011. Comfort space is an area of the street predominantly for pedestrian use where motor vehicles are unlikely to be present. In a level surface street, comfort space can be provided by a tonal contrast and tactile delineator strips. It must be clearly identified by most vulnerable people.

At each intersection, the pedestrian right-of-way must be clearly indicated to motorists. Pedestrians must also be able to easily identify the conflict zone so as to increase their vigilance there. This is all the more crucial for blind or visually impaired pedestrians, who generally rely on the number of intersections to memorize their route.

 

Safety awareness, training and education for road users and urban designers

Considering the extent of the failure to respect the right-of-way given to pedestrians by other road users, it seems crucial to increase awareness campaigns.

Changing the attitudes and behavior of drivers and pedestrians is a complex, long-term undertaking that requires a variety of interventions to be implemented: 

⊗ Road safety programs,

⊗ Mass media campaigns,

⊗ Introducing radar speed signs along hazardous sections, etc.

Changes in public road safety policy and urban design require that decision makers and practitioners are continually trained and educated to implement them. The World Health Organization gives valuable advice in its road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners.

 

In any case, presence or absence of traffic lights, let us never forget that the street belongs to everyone and not only to the 80% of the most able-bodied people! Everyone’s participation in society is at stake, this “inclusive society” that we strive to build together.

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So that removing traffic lights brings real benefits in terms of safety, it must of course be accompanied with measures limiting vehicle speed: setting the speed limit at a maximum of 30km/h (20mph), new geometric design, roundabouts, speed-warning signs, shared spaces. 

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Lise Wagner

Lise Wagner

Accessibility Expert

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Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures  There are currently more than 1 billion disabled people in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a disabled person is anyone who has “a problem in body function or structure, an activity...

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By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

9 Tips to Welcome a Person with an Intellectual Disability

9 Tips to Welcome a Person with an Intellectual Disability

by | 09 Oct, 2020

9 Tips to Welcome a Person with an Intellectual Disability

 

9 Tips to Make a Person with an Intellectual Disability Feel Welcome

  1. Smile!
  2. Stay natural
  3. Do not infantilize your conversation partner
  4. Be patient
  5. Use a simple and clear language
  6. Add other mediums to your communication
  7. Offer to help
  8. Do not take offense
  9. Avoid clichés

You’re facing a person with an intellectual disability and you don’t know how to exchange with them? Everybody can feel uncomfortable seeing we don’t always know how to approach, or help if necessary, a person with disabilities. Whether you are a tourism professional who needs keys to welcome a person with an intellectual disability in your establishment or a curious citizen who wants advice in order to easily communicate with a colleague with an intellectual disability, these tips are made for you! 

 

What is intellectual disability?

Intellectual disability comes from a learning disability. Generally appearing from birth, it’s characterized by learning difficulties and an intellectual development that’s inferior to the population average. People with an intellectual disability have trouble thinking, conceptualizing, communicating and making decisions.

Trisomy 21 (or Down syndrome) is the most well known genetic disorder that leads to an intellectual disability but other syndromes exist such as Fragile X, Prader-Willi or Smith-Magenis…

Around 7 million people have intellectual disabilities in the United States. (Our article Disabled People in the World in 2019: Facts and Figures details all the figures about the types of disabilities.) How to easily communicate with them and make them feel welcome? 

1. Smile!

There’s nothing like a beautiful and sincere smile to put at ease your conversation partner! Keep in mind that we can draw a lot of emotions thanks to our facial expressions!

 

2. Stay natural

When facing a person with an intellectual disability, the best thing to do is to address them the same way you would anyone. Using a warm tone devoid of pity!

 

3. Do not infantilize your conversation partner

Remain civilized and respectful in all circumstances, even if their behavior can seem childish to you.

 

4. Be patient

Take your time to truly listen to the person in front of you and adopt a reassuring attitude. Let the person speak and react at their own pace. Also be patient when you inform or guide a person with an intellectual disability. 

 

5. Use a simple and clear language

Opting for a language devoid of technical and specialized terms or unnecessary details will help you get your message across.

 

6. Add other mediums to your communication

A written text, an image or even body language can be useful when the person in front of you has trouble understanding you or memorizing information.

 

7. Offer to help

Of course you can offer to help but don’t get offended if the answer is negative. A person with an intellectual disability can indeed be autonomous according to the situations and their capabilities so it’s best not to impose your help even though you have good intentions in the first place.

 

8. Do not take offense

Some behaviors or attitudes can seem strange to you but there’s no need to take offense.

 

9. Avoid clichés

Keep finding out about people with disabilities and how to behave around them. Our article 8 Clichés about Intellectual Disability can complete these tips.

 

Implementing a simple yet efficient signage system with colored icons and easy-to-understand words help facilitate the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in establishments open to the public. As you can see, it’s easy to make them feel welcome in any type of situation! 

 

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Take your time to truly listen to the person in front of you and adopt a reassuring attitude.

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Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

Content Manager

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Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures  There are currently more than 1 billion disabled people in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a disabled person is anyone who has “a problem in body function or structure, an activity...

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For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

The Trailblazers of College Accessibility in the United States

The Trailblazers of College Accessibility in the United States

by | 02 Oct, 2020

The Trailblazers of College Accessibility in the United States

 

The academic year has started! It’s time for students to go back to college and to fully build their own future! But some, like students with disabilities, can face obstacles during their studies. College accessibility is key to make sure these students can succeed, whether they have a visual or a hearing impairment or motor difficulties.

Around 20% of students with disabilities attend college in the United States. A percentage that keeps increasing every year due to the fact that colleges and universities put up more and more measures to make their premises and their curriculums accessible to all. They thus attract more and more students with disabilities who wish to have access to a higher education.

What do American colleges need to do to be accessible? How can they promote the inclusion of students with disabilities? Get ready to take some notes, we’re going to dissect everything! Retakes aren’t admissible!

Measures promoting college accessibility

Thanks to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA), students with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 receive a public education that’s tailored to their profile. One of its most important goals is to help students have access to a higher education establishing transition services. These services work closely with students to guide them by helping them to find the right college and preparing them for their life on campus.

The same year the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed. It aims at protecting people with disabilities from any type of discrimination by implementing accessibility measures in public accommodations. Giving people with disabilities the same services and opportunities as any other citizens represents the true meaning of accessibility. Thus public academic institutions need to abide by it. 

Both acts demonstrate that it’s up to schools and colleges to adapt to the students’ different profiles in order to facilitate their inclusion and their success by first turning their premises accessible. For colleges, it concerns the whole campus: administrative services, lecture halls, cafeterias, libraries… A lot of measures that answer the needs of students with disabilities, regardless of their profile, are easy to implement:

⊗ Automatic doors;

⊗ Guide paths for orientation; 

⊗ Elevators and access ramps;

⊗ Visual contrasting non-slip stair nosings;

⊗ Audio beacons located at strategic points of interest (entrances, reception desk, assemble rooms…);

⊗ Universal pictograms; 

⊗ Braille signs;

⊗ Audio induction loops;

⊗ Accessible restrooms.

We thus have simple yet very efficient systems that enable students but also faculty members with disabilities to get their bearings in a huge and crowded place without needing to be accompanied by someone. Even technology can be useful like Evelity, an indoor wayfinding app specially designed to guide people with disabilities step by step. To use this innovative technology, users just need a smartphone, an essential tool that favors the autonomy of people with disabilities in their everyday lives.

In France, the medical university Rockefeller in Lyon has implemented this navigation system showing others that technology can also enhance college accessibility. For a campus that’s essentially composed of blind or visually impaired students, this solution works well with guide paths to guide users within the facility.

To make sure students with disabilities have equal access to programs, activities and courses but also accessible accommodations on campus, colleges all have disability services at their disposal. However, colleges don’t provide the same disability resources to their students. It’s up to them to carefully choose a college that perfectly answers their needs. They can research anything they need to know on disability and higher education on the National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) website. Most services constitute in:

⊗ Note takers;

⊗ American sign language interpreters;

⊗ Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs);

⊗ Assistive technology (screen readers, alternate format materials, video magnifiers…); 

⊗ Exam adjustments;

⊗ Housing accomodations (wheelchair accessible for example).

Some institutions can afford to go further like world-class private university Harvard. Indeed, Harvard pays attention to ergonomics for its students as well as its faculty members with disabilities by providing furniture and office equipment that’s adapted to their type of disability. The university also puts at their disposal accessible shuttles and vans to facilitate their getting around. Everything is thought to make their lives on campus agreeable!

Another good example is Berkeley that provides all the necessary services listed above but also takes into consideration the needs of students on the autism spectrum. Different academic supports like executive function skills building and an emphasis on social engagement with a weekly discussion group enable students on the autism spectrum to succeed in their studies and to have a rich campus life. 

For sure, social activities have an impact towards college accessibility. As human beings, we need to connect to others, especially to others who aren’t or don’t think alike.

Easily accessible campuses  

Thanks to their accessibility, colleges and universities can bank on their attractivity to enroll new students. It’s a place where students spend several years learning, shaping their personalities and creating links with others. Consequently, for those who don’t already have an accommodation on the premises being able to easily go there is key to guarantee they have a good college experience.  

For students with reduced mobility, going to college by car can easily turn into a conundrum when it comes to finding a PRM parking space on campus. A college with accessible parking spaces strengthens even more their autonomy to get around. 

Using public transportation to go to college can also facilitate the lives of students as long as it’s accessible. Subway stations for instance need to be equipped with elevators and escalators. Students with disabilities living in Boston are lucky to use the MBTA since it has strongly improved its accessibility over the years. All buses have a retractable access ramp and dedicated spaces for people using wheelchairs, they remain a good means of transport for people with reduced mobility.

For places as huge as campuses, making accessible every possible route between all the different buildings: from the student center to the lecture halls, from the lecture halls to the library or from the library to the cafeteria… There are a lot of possible combinations that students do to successfully complete their studies and their lives on campus. As we previously saw, a simple and clear signage system enables all students to easily get their bearings in an autonomous way. Tactile guiding paths are the easiest way for visually impaired students to find their way to their chosen destination. They simply have to follow them. 

A lot of colleges and universities put an online map of their campus so that students can easily comprehend the premises. In addition to all the necessary information on the location of the buildings, the map of the University of Michigan also indicates where the accessible entrances are.

Understanding the issues of students with disabilities

Although a lot of apps exist to facilitate the communication of hearing impaired students with others, it’s always better when they face empathic people. Whether they are faculty members of fellow students, it’s important they put themselves in their position by following several tips to make them feel welcome. Being sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities favors their inclusion and offers them a comfortable environment for their studies. A well trained staff and faculty plays a major role in the success of these students. Colleges and universities that focus on disability awareness will attract more students with disabilities.

Seeing that the number of students with disabilities who decide to go to college keeps increasing, colleges and universities need to be able to answer their needs for a perfect inclusion and success. Setting up accessibility measures enables colleges to strengthen their positive image and reputation. We need more college accessibility to shape the minds of the future generations in a more open and tolerant way.

Updated on December 28th, 2021 / Published on October 2nd, 2020

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To make sure students with disabilities have equal access to programs, activities and courses, colleges all have disability services at their disposal.

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Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

Content Manager

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Evelity, the first wayfinding solution for all types of disabilities in public and private facilities

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Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures  There are currently more than 1 billion disabled people in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a disabled person is anyone who has “a problem in body function or structure, an activity...

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on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

The Guidelines for Stadium Accessibility: Offering People with Disabilities a Good Experience

The Guidelines for Stadium Accessibility: Offering People with Disabilities a Good Experience

by | 28 Sep, 2020

The Guidelines for Stadium Accessibility: Offering People with Disabilities a Good Experience

 

Tous les fans de football américain seront d’accord : regarder un match à la télévision n’est rien comparé à aller au stade encourager son équipe favorite. Écouter The Boss chez soi n’atteindra jamais la sensation ressentie par ceux qui ont eu la chance de le voir jouer dans l’ancien Giants Stadium, devenu MetLife Stadium, pour sa tournée « Born in the USA », qui a fait de lui une légende du rock. On vient au stade pour profiter de l’ambiance, pour crier et chanter, pour se retrouver, pour partager un bon moment…

Pour les personnes en situation de handicap, se rendre au stade peut s’avérer un véritable défi en raison de l’accessibilité. Dans une enceinte pouvant accueillir plus de 100 000 visiteurs, quelle place leur est accordée ? Comment rendre accessibles des lieux aussi vastes et complexes que les stades ? Quelles mesures sont mises en œuvre pour accueillir et accompagner les personnes en situation de handicap ? Sont-elles adaptées à tous les types de handicap ? 

Est-ce un choix idéal pour les stades américains ? Examinons leur score global en matière d’accessibilité !

Mesures favorisant l’accessibilité des stades

Les stades sont des lieux tellement vastes, avec une foule constante et omniprésente, qu’il serait facile de penser que les rendre accessibles relève de l’utopie ! Pourtant, différentes mesures sont déjà mises en œuvre, ou sont en cours de mise en œuvre, pour permettre à tous les visiteurs d’être accueillis et de se sentir à l’aise, quel que soit leur profil. 

Conformément à l’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) de 1990, qui interdit toute discrimination à l’égard des personnes handicapées dans tous les domaines de la vie publique, les lieux publics doivent garantir aux personnes handicapées le même accès et les mêmes services qu’à tout autre visiteur. Pour les stades, cela implique l’application de mesures visant à garantir et à promouvoir l’accessibilité pour tous, quel que soit le handicap, telles que :

⊗  Places de stationnement PMR ;

⊗  Comptoirs abaissés aux concessions et aux stands de marchandises ;

⊗  Zones d’assise pour fauteuils roulants ;

⊗  Accompagnateurs en fauteuil roulant;

⊗  Dispositifs d’écoute assistée pour les personnes malentendantes ;

⊗  Boucles d’induction audio ; 

⊗  Balises sonores situées à différents points d’intérêt stratégiques (entrées, sorties…) pour les personnes malvoyantes ;

⊗  Ascenseurs, escaliers mécaniques et rampes;

⊗  Nez de marche antidérapants à contraste visuel ;

⊗  Chemins de guidage ;

⊗  Pictogrammes universels pour les personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle ;

⊗  Espaces dédiés aux animaux d’assistance ;

⊗  Sous-titrage pour les annonces spéciales et/ou les discours publics destinés aux malentendants ;

⊗  Description audio pour les malvoyants ;

⊗ Téléphones publics accessibles ;

⊗  Toilettes accessibles.

Plus d’informations sur les sièges accessibles tels qu’indiqués par l’ADA :

⊗ Au moins 1 % des sièges doivent être des places pour fauteuils roulants ;

⊗ Des sièges accessibles doivent être disponibles dans chaque catégorie de sièges et à différents prix de billets ;

⊗ Un siège d’accompagnement doit être situé à côté du siège du fauteuil roulant ;

⊗ Des sièges accessibles doivent être situés dans toutes les zones, y compris les loges et les zones spécialisées ;

⊗ Les sièges accessibles doivent se trouver sur un parcours accessible permettant l’accès depuis les zones de stationnement et de transport et reliant tous les services fournis (concessions, restaurants, toilettes…) ;

⊗ Tous les sièges pour fauteuils roulants doivent offrir une ligne de vue sur les spectateurs debout ;

⊗ 1 % de tous les sièges fixes doivent être des sièges côté couloir sans accoudoir ou avec un accoudoir amovible ou rabattable pour accueillir les personnes à mobilité réduite.

De nombreux stades proposent déjà ce type de mesures et de solutions faciles à mettre en œuvre, comme le Madison Square Garden . Le Garden, aussi connu comme l’arène la plus célèbre du monde, accueille aussi bien des événements sportifs que des concerts. Ce lieu illustre parfaitement ce que l’accessibilité peut et doit être. Le Garden va même plus loin en proposant des services d’interprétation aux visiteurs. Les personnes malentendantes peuvent ainsi comprendre parfaitement le déroulement du match grâce à un interprète en langue des signes. Les personnes sensibles aux stroboscopes ou aux lumières clignotantes pendant un spectacle peuvent être prévenues à l’avance, sur demande, afin d’être informées des difficultés potentielles. Être informées à l’avance leur permet de se sentir en sécurité et de garder le contrôle. Elles peuvent ainsi profiter du spectacle comme tout le monde.

Le Garden n’est pas le seul lieu à penser au bien-être de chacun, quel que soit son profil. En effet, l’ US Bank Stadium de Chicago, domicile des Vikings, a créé une salle sensorielle , un lieu calme et apaisant pour ceux qui ont besoin de silence lorsque les activités sportives deviennent trop bruyantes et intenses. Les personnes atteintes du syndrome de Down, du spectre autistique ou de démence peuvent ainsi y trouver un refuge. La salle est équipée de casques antibruit, de bouchons d’oreilles, de jouets sensoriels et d’un éclairage tamisé… Une initiative innovante qui favorise l’inclusion des personnes ayant des besoins sensoriels ! Un stade qui ouvre la voie à une meilleure accessibilité !

Le site web de l’US Bank Stadium propose des plans de l’extérieur et de l’intérieur du stade. Les visiteurs peuvent ainsi préparer leur excursion et obtenir toutes les informations nécessaires à l’avance pour éviter tout stress. Ils peuvent même télécharger les plans sur leur smartphone. Sachant que 84 % des personnes handicapées utilisent un smartphone pour gagner en autonomie au quotidien, il est logique que les smartphones deviennent de plus en plus indispensables. 

L’utilisation d’une application d’orientation intérieure comme Evelity qui guide les personnes handicapées étape par étape pourrait être extrêmement utile dans un lieu aussi complexe, car l’application peut non seulement aider les utilisateurs à trouver leurs repères, mais peut également localiser les entrées et les sorties et d’autres points de repère dans le lieu.

De plus, Evelity s’adapte au profil de l’utilisateur et à ses capacités pour mieux répondre à ses besoins. 

Comment l’accessibilité des stades peut-elle garantir une bonne expérience aux personnes handicapées ?

Comme nous l’avons vu, l’objectif d’un stade accessible est de permettre à tous ses visiteurs de partager la même expérience : accéder facilement à leur place, avoir une bonne visibilité du match… Mais aussi participer activement aux festivités : chanter l’hymne de l’équipe, crier sa joie lorsque son équipe favorite marque et ainsi profiter pleinement de l’ambiance que le stade a à offrir.

Il est essentiel que les personnes handicapées se sentent à l’aise dans un lieu fréquenté et bondé. Certaines préfèrent venir au stade avec un accompagnateur qui peut les aider si nécessaire. Celles qui viennent seules peuvent compter sur le personnel ou les accompagnateurs du stade pour les guider et les assister. L’accessibilité des stades va bien au-delà de la simple mise en place d’équipements accessibles.

Les accompagnateurs doivent être capables de répondre aux besoins des supporters, quel que soit leur handicap. Les accueillir avec le sourire, être disponible, savoir anticiper leurs besoins et leurs obstacles potentiels et faire preuve d’empathie sont autant de qualités essentielles. L’ensemble du personnel du stade (accompagnateurs, vendeurs, agents de sécurité), interne et externe, doit être bien formé à tous les aspects. Grâce à un partenariat avec Fraser Pediatric Therapy, deux spécialistes du comportement agréés prennent en charge les visiteurs dans la salle sensorielle de l’US Bank Stadium. Lors de chaque match à domicile, les personnes présentant un handicap sensoriel peuvent solliciter leur aide pour se détendre.

Le stade Bank of America de Charlotte, en Caroline du Nord, qui abrite les Panthers de Caroline, dispose de cabines de relations avec les clients situées à chaque entrée principale pour répondre à toutes les questions que les personnes handicapées peuvent avoir sur le stade ou les transports en commun et les aider en conséquence. 

Avoir un personnel bien formé permet aux visiteurs de se sentir en sécurité et à l’aise, leur assurant ainsi de profiter pleinement du jeu. Ils partagent la même expérience que tous les autres visiteurs.

 

Entrer et sortir du stade

Se rendre au stade n’est pas toujours facile en raison de l’affluence et des embouteillages qui en découlent. Est-il plus pratique de partir tôt pour trouver une place de parking ? L’Ohio Stadium de Colombus, dans l’Ohio, met à disposition un plan indiquant aux visiteurs comment rejoindre leur parking accessible depuis différentes directions, ainsi que le trajet des navettes accessibles entre le parking et les entrées du stade. D’autres stades permettent aux visiteurs de réserver leur place de parking à l’avance afin de ne pas avoir à se soucier de trouver une place à leur arrivée. Pour ceux qui ne disposent pas de véhicule, les transports en commun sont toujours une option, mais c’est plus simple avec un métro accessible .

La gare Penn Station mène directement au Madison Square Garden. C’est un carrefour majeur car il relie les trains interurbains et de banlieue de New York. Lorsqu’elles utilisent les transports en commun, les personnes handicapées doivent toujours faire attention à leur environnement. Parfois, même l’achat d’un billet peut s’avérer difficile. Être accompagnées peut soulager leur stress et les rassurer. C’est pourquoi un personnel efficace et bien formé est essentiel pour répondre à leurs questions. 

Un stade inclusif et accessible est possible grâce à différentes mesures faciles à mettre en œuvre, à l’intérieur comme à l’extérieur du stade. Tous les supporters, en situation de handicap ou non, peuvent profiter de leur expérience et partager un moment convivial. L’accessibilité des stades doit constamment évoluer pour répondre aux besoins des personnes en situation de handicap.

Mis à jour le 27 décembre 2021 / Publié le 28 septembre 2020

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The goal of having an accessible stadium is to enable all its visitors to share the same experience: easily accessing their seat, having a good visibility of the game…

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Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

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Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures  There are currently more than 1 billion disabled people in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a disabled person is anyone who has “a problem in body function or structure, an activity...

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For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

How Is Airport Accessibility Progressing for People with Disabilities?

How Is Airport Accessibility Progressing for People with Disabilities?

by | 18 Sep, 2020

How Is Airport Accessibility Progressing for People with Disabilities?

 

Checking-in, dropping off luggage, going through the security checkpoint, boarding…, the course of a traveler can often lead to stress and worry. A largely amplified phenomenon for travelers with disabilities who struggle to move around and find their bearings in such huge places. Millions of people pass through airports every year. How is accessibility deployed within airports? What measures can be implemented to enable the 61 million Americans with disabilities to safely travel?

Indeed, when we travel, a lot of us tend to be stressed because of all the steps to follow and things not to forget. This feeling can be increased for a person with disabilities who needs precise information and a personalized care according to their profile.

Let’s make a quick scan of the progress of airport accessibility in the United States!

 

How to safely travel?

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) aims at prohibiting discrimination towards people with disabilities and at implementing accessibility measures in public accommodations. Thus, every American airport has to follow rules and regulations to make sure that travelers with disabilities can easily have access to the same services and advantages as other travelers. Moreover, the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 focuses on discrimination on airlines. They have to accomodate the needs of people with disabilities aboard aircraft. From any airport in the US, travelers with disabilities are provided with the same assistance services such as:

⊗ When purchasing their flight tickets, travelers can indicate if they need assistance;

⊗ The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) helpline helps travelers with disabilities to go through security checkpoints;

⊗ Pet relief areas for furry companions. Even they have their own private restrooms;

⊗ Airlines provide assistance throughout the whole trip (boarding, deplaning and making connections).

Even when travelers prepare their journey at home, they can easily know what type of assistance the airport provides since airports all have a dedicated page on assistance service on their website. Plus all airport websites have to be accessible to enable visually impaired people to easily get the necessary information. Such is the case with Denver International Airport (DEN) that lists all its accessibility services and details specific subjects (the location of its accessible parking spaces for example). A map of the airport and its terminals is available on the website but also on the airport app. Smartphones are indeed a vital tool for people with disabilities enabling them to gain more autonomy.

However, assistance services constitute a huge cost for airports. People with reduced mobility and people with disabilities more and more request these services that have difficulties to meet demand. Customer care representatives aren’t always available and some may not have received the appropriate training. If airports could focus on other accessibility measures, this could hugely relieve assistance services and provide more autonomy to travelers with disabilities. Indeed, they wouldn’t have to depend on assistance services as much. Plus there wouldn’t be as many complaints as there are now.

Following the ADA, travelers who didn’t have access to any services provided by airports can directly file a complaint online. Each airport website gives this opportunity to passengers, for example the Los Angeles Airport (LAX).

It’s to be noted that some people don’t want to use assistance services and prefer to travel by themselves or accompanied by a relative to help them through all the steps in their trip.

An efficient signage system is key to answer their needs and can easily be implemented to equip such a complex place like an airport:

⊗ Audio beacons that indicate to visually impaired people the location of different strategic points of interest (entrances, counters, restrooms…);

⊗ Braille signs;

⊗ Display screens with bigger letters and contrasting colors;

⊗ Pictograms with geometric shapes;

⊗ Guide paths for orientation;

⊗ An indoor wayfinding app like Evelity that guides from point A to point B people with disabilities (everything can be located: check-in counters and shops entrances).

Installing a clear and understandable signage system helps travelers with disabilities (blind or visually impaired people but also people with intellectual disabilities) to get their bearings, just like any traveler.

LAX already breaks ground thanks to the Aira app available on its site. It helps passengers to find their way on the premises. A lot of airports lean on technology to assist travelers. 

Easily accessing check-in counters and boarding gates makes our experience better. For travelers in wheelchairs, that means lowered counters, wide-access doors and security lanes. For them and other travelers with a lot of luggage, all airports have elevators, escalators and ramps. With wide ramps, one of the principles of universal design, people can easily and rapidly move around in the airport. Embracing universal design, airports create a better and more accessible environment to facilitate the trip of all their passengers. The restroom stalls of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) have doors that swing out and side grab rails. Plus some space for those who have a carry-on suitcase.

 

A trained and receptive staff

Since every American airport provides its passengers with disabilities with assistance services, a trained and open staff is key to make sure a trip is going according to plan. But this proves to be difficult to achieve seeing that airports are faced with a constant turnover, plaguing the efficiency of the services. Continually emphasizing the importance of an adequate training program is critical to ensure that travelers with disabilities are properly taken care of.

Greeting with a smile, being informative, available, having empathy and adapting to the persons according to their profile and their needs all are essential qualities that make a good customer care representative. A true accessibility service that’s focused on helping others.

For travelers with a hearing impairment, a visual paging system can help them to stay informed concerning their flight since they can’t rely on audio messages. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) uses both a visual and an audible paging system to convey real-time information to passengers. At check-in counters, hearing impaired travelers still can interact with the staff thanks to sound amplifying devices. Besides, several apps can also help travelers with an hearing impairment to communicate with staff. For example Ava which can be downloaded on both the traveler’s smartphone and the flight attendant’s in order to facilitate their conversation. Even shops can be equipped with sound amplifying devices, induction loops, or use Ava or any other app, providing a comprehensive and efficient service to all their clients. Thus airport accessibility happens at different levels.

 

How to go to the airport?

The first step is going to the airport. By car? By train? By bus? What’s the best way to go to the airport for people with disabilities? 

A person with reduced mobility who uses their personal vehicle can park at different areas since parking airports are all equipped with PRM spaces. A true asset to get more independence! The John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) even makes its passengers with reduced mobility who use PRM spaces profit from discounts.

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport (OHD) can be reached by public transportation in different ways. Indeed, from downtown, passengers can take the CTA Blue Line train. The station within the airport is equipped with an elevator making it easy for people with reduced mobility to go to or leave the platform. Although not all CTA stations are accessible, its buses and trains have: spaces designated for people in wheelchairs, buses with ramps or that can kneel to the curb. Thanks to a station directly connected to the airport, passengers can gain more autonomy. They don’t have to depend on a taxi or on a friend to drop them off. Using a reliable system that adapts to people with disabilities, regardless of their profile, helps travelers feel safe and more comfortable in their trip. In a previous article, we saw that people with disabilities needed to count on an accessible subway. Travel without feeling any unnecessary stress is quite the luxury. 

It’s obvious that airport accessibility is progressing. The implementation of the ADA ensuring travelers with disabilities have access to the same services as other travelers has permitted to move things forward. Even if nowadays it’s easier to travel, airports still have to continue to listen to all its passengers. Other measures can make people with disabilities have a better experience during their travels. A constant renewal is necessary to truly answer the needs of everybody.

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Millions of people pass through airports every year. How is accessibility deployed within airports?

writer

Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

Content Manager

READ CAROLE'S BIO

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Evelity, the first wayfinding solution for all types of disabilities in public and private facilities

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Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures

Disabled People in the World: Facts and Figures  There are currently more than 1 billion disabled people in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a disabled person is anyone who has “a problem in body function or structure, an activity...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

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powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.