Assessing Accessibility: McDonald Street Apartment Complex

Prompt

Can you please take our assessment and checklist adn make us a small 1 or 2 page poster thats 24”x36,” vertically or horizontally with 5 sections like the backrground, entrwyas, bathroom, kitchen, and add reccomendation so add somewhere in there if ovverall the home is vistable so accesisble or not, when i share he checklstr, OUR MEASURTEMTNS AND INFO ARE IN [THESE] [BRACKETS] OKAY ??? MAKE THE PRESENTATION EASY TO UNDERTSAD AND plEASING OT ThE EYe. LIKE A POSTER IS WHAT THIS IS GOING OT BE SO I NEED LIKE KEY INFO BUT NOT TOO MANY WORDS USE THIS: Background The McDonald Street apartment complex, which was built in 1990, is made up of three stories and 36 units. This community offers both two- and three-bedroom apartments, however the unit we specifically assessed is located on the third floor and includes only two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room and a den. The floor plan is simple and open, with the living room and kitchen at the entrance, followed by a hallway leading to the bedrooms, bathroom, and den. Given its close location to Virginia Tech, this apartment complex is likely home to a mix of families and students, and we found that such residents typically use the space for everyday activities like cooking, studying, relaxing, and socializing. Figure 1.1 [Floor plan of the McDonald Street apartment. Includes living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a den. Hallway connects rooms. No accessibility features indicated Figure 1.2 [Digital map showing McDonald Street apartment complex. Green pin marks its location. Nearby streets and Virginia Tech’s campus visible in larger red circle for distance reference] C. Housing Checklist Field Audit Time Start: 7:45pm, March, 20, 2025 End: 9:35pm March 20, 2025 Building Visitability [For a multi-family home] N 1. Level entry. No steps (or stairs) to enter the house (or apartment). [Apartment is on 3rd level with stairs only, no elevator or ramps. However, no steps to enter physical apartment door] Y 2. One 32” clear accessible doors (36” recommended). [Door is exactly 36” wide] Observation Notes and Images: Figure 2.1 [Outside image of the unit’s front door. Measured at exactly 36 inches wide, meeting accessibility standards for doorway width; however, it does not comply with maneuvering width requirements as seen later in this report] Figure 2.2 [Staircase providing access to all floors of the building, including the first, second, and third floors. Stairs are the only way to reach any unit, as there is no elevator or accessibility ramp] Figure 2.3 [Apartment complex entrance. Stairs lead from the parking lot onto a sidewalk. The staircase entrance is wider than the recommended 36 inches, however no ramps or alternative accessible pathways are present] Entrance and Pathways N/A 1. 5' x 5' level wheelchair maneuvering space outside AND inside the entry door [42” inch width entryway maneuvering space outside of door] [Inside entryway has open maneuvering space more than 1. 5' x 5' around door] N/A 2. Doorbells, burglar and smoke alarms with light AND/OR sound signals [Doorbell- No] [Smoke Alarm-Yes] Y 3. Weather-sheltered entryway (at very least, a broad overhang) N 4. Package shelf or bench near entry for groceries, package deliveries, and resting [No benches or sitting areas] N/A 5. Full-length sidelight(s) at the entry, or window in door to identify visitors [Only overhead lighting reaches all the down the hallway and at entry doors to identify visitors] N 6. Entry/exterior door threshold(s) less than ½” high [Entry/exterior door threshold is more at 1” high] N/A 7. 18” clear space beside door [Inside –Yes] [Outside – No, 4” clear space to door on both sides, 42” total width entryway and maneuvering space] N 8. Motion sensor lighting [Timer lights outside of door, not controllable by residents] Y 9. House or unit addresses in large, high-contrast print [Letters are red against cream, easy to see in high contrast print] Y 10. Color contrast between floor surfaces and adjacent vertical surfaces [Grey floors and counters against white cabinets] N 11. Non-slip floor or ground surface [Hardwood Floor] Observation Notes and Images Figure 3.1 [A close-up of the front door measurement, showing the width at exactly 36 inches (3 feet), highlighted in the red circle. This meets the recommended accessibility standard for doorway width] Figure 3.2 [Measurement of the maneuvering space outside the front door, marked in a red circle. The total width from wall to wall is 42 inches, with only 4 inches of clear space total on both sides of the door, which does not meet accessibility standards] Figure 3.3 [Close-up of the apartment’s letter and unit number. The letters are red against a cream-colored background, providing high contrast and making them easily visible for individuals with vision impairments] Figure 3.4 [Image of the hallway leading to the assessed unit. Overhead lighting is present, but there are no full-length sidelights at the entry, meaning light is only coming from above to illuminate the hallway and entry doors] Bathroom N 1. First-floor bath with 32” clear passage door and a clear path to toilet [24” passage width through door and to toilet] Y 2. High toilet seat (or riser) 17”-19” above floor is easier for sitting and rising [Toilet is 17” exactly above the floor] N 3. Transfer shower with seat, or curbless roll-in shower if transfer is impossible [Risen Tub/Shower] N 4. Tub/shower controls offset to entry side are easy reach from in- or outside [Tub shower controls are not easy to reach from outside or inside tub] N 5. Adjustable-height, hand-held shower: Min. 60” hose on 30” long, anchored slide bar [No handheld adjustable shower head or slide bar, only a handle bar for grip] N/A 6. 32” high vanity sink counter w/knee space, insulated pipes [Vanity counter is 32” exactly, however no knee space] Y 7. Single-lever controls on all faucets turn with one hand, closed fist, or elbow. [Levers only] Y 8. Anti-scald valves on tub and shower faucets prevent unexpected scalding burns [Has color indicators only, no words or symbols on tub and shower faucet] N 9. Mirror bottom at counter or backsplash level [Mirror 16” above counter chest height] Y 10. Bright, non-glare light above or on both sides of sink + fan light in shower ceiling [Light above sink and fan in middle of bathroom ceiling] N 11. Min. 30”x48” clear area in front of bathing fixture or min. 5’ (=60 “) diam. Turn circle [Only 30” diam. Turn circle radius in front of bathing fixture, very small] N 12. Handheld showerheads. [ Singular showerhead in the wall, cannot be removed to be held] Y 13. Reinforced toilet & tub/shower walls allow for future grab bars if needed [Reinforced walls and grab bars currently present in shower] Observation Notes and Images Figure 4.1 [Measurement of the bathroom sink width, showing 28 inches in a red circle. The vanity does not meet ADA requirements, which require a minimum width of 32 inches. Cabinets underneath block knee clearance, making it inaccessible for wheelchair users] Figure 4.2 [Bathroom toilet measuring exactly 17 inches from the floor, which meets accessibility standards for sitting and rising. However, the red circle highlights limited maneuverability space, with only a 30-inch diameter turning radius in front of the tub and toilet, which is very small] Figure 4.3 [Close-up of a grab bar area in shower and tub. The reinforced walls around the toilet and tub/shower allow for future grab bar installation if needed, meeting accessibility standards] Figure 4.4 [A fixed shower head, highlighted in the red circle. This shower head is not detachable, making it non-compliant with accessibility standards. Its height may also be an issue for individuals who have difficulty reaching or standing] Figure 4.5 [Measurement of the bathroom door width at 24 inches (2 feet), shown in the red circle. This is too narrow for accessibility, as ADA standards require at least a 32-inch clear path for wheelchair and walker access. The limited width makes entry difficult and restricts maneuverability inside the bathroom] Kitchen N 1. Knee spaces under sink & cooktop with retractable doors & burn protection [No retractable doors or burn protection and no knee space under sink for movement] Y 2. Adjustable or varied-height work surfaces (28”-38” above floor) are more flexible [36” exactly from floor to counter surface] N 3. Lower work surface for seated work or computer use [As mentioned, 36” from floor to counter] N 4. Continuous counters permit sliding (vs. lifting) heavy pans between work centers [Counters are not continuous and skip from stove, to counter, to sink then to counter again] Y 5. Sink spray fills coffee and other pots on counter without heavy lifting [Sprayer reaches inside and outside of sink for easy pouring and filling] N 6. Rolling carts move and serve with minimal carrying/lifting, then “park” under counter [No rolling carts, counters are permanent] N 7. Dishwashers raised 6” and under-counter dish drawers allow no-bend use [Dishwasher is raised only 4 ¾” from floor and there is no under counter drawers] N 8. (Child-proof) front or side-mounted appliance controls avoid reaching over burners [Must reach over burners to reach appliance controls] N 9. Waist-high microwave level avoids tipping and scalding from high, hot dishes [Microwave located above counter] N 10. (Side-open) wall oven with middle shelf at counter height for level transfers [Oven door pulls down & middle shelf is located at mid-thigh height] N 11. Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer allows full access for both short AND tall users [Is a top and bottom fridge/freezer, accessible for short and tall users] Y 12. Glare-free task lighting over all work centers (e.g., under wall cabinets) [Lighting fixtures are matte and not glossy, avoiding glares] Y 13. Color-contrast counter edges/backsplashes with floor color to aid low vision user [White cabinets with grey floor and grey counter tops] N 14. D-pulls or touch-latches on cabinet doors/drawers easy on stiff or arthritic hands Knobs. [Regular ball knobs] N 15. Full-extension drawers, pull-out shelves, and lazy Susan’s allow full view and access [None of the above] N 16. Adjustable-height shelves raise and lower for varied user- and contents’ heights . [Shelves are not height-adjustable] Y 17. Base cabinets with 6”-9” high toe kicks fit chair footrests and no-trip pet dishes [Height of base cabinet exactly 6” high and toe kicks fit chair footrests] N 18. Full-height pantry with pull-out or revolving shelves offers no-reach access. [No full height pantries and must reach to search through shelves] N 19. Front-loading washers/dryers with front controls are easier to reach and un/load. [Dryer is front-loading, washer is top-loading and controls are not in the front] Y 20. Minimum 30”x48” clear space in front of or at side of kitchen appliances Y 21. Rounded edges on counters. Observation Notes and Images Figure 5.1 [Image of microwave above stove. Placement is too high for wheelchair users or individuals with limited reach, making it inaccessible for use. This positioning increases the risk of tipping or spilling hot dishes. Notice cabinet knobs are also round instead of D-pulls or touch-latches, which are also not compliant of accessibility standards] Figure 5.2 [Washer setup with controls. Note that dryer is front-loading, but washer is top loading with controls positioned at the back, shown in red circle. The washer’s deep drum also makes it difficult to reach inside. This setup does not meet accessibility standards, as front-loading machines with front controls are preferred for easier use] Figure 5.3 [Oven with pull-down door. Middle shelf is positioned at mid-thigh height, making level transfers difficult. This does not meet accessibility standards, which recommend a side-opening wall oven with a middle shelf at counter height. However, good color contrast is present between white cabinets, gray countertops, flooring, and dark knobs, aiding individuals with low vision] Figure 5.4 [Measurement of dishwasher height, raised only 4 ¾ inches from the floor, not meeting the recommended 6-inch height. Also note no under-counter dish drawers for no-bend use, making loading and unloading more difficult for individuals with mobility limitations] Summary of Assessment Overall, the McDonald Street Apartments are not universally designed or fully accessible, especially for people with mobility challenges. The biggest issue is the lack of an elevator/ramps, making upper and even lower floor units completely inaccessible to those who can’t use stairs. Inside the apartment, the living room and kitchen have decent open space and accessibility, but the bathroom is quite cramped with only 24 inches of door clearance, lacks a handheld shower head, and doesn’t have a roll-in shower. The flooring is also a major concern since it’s slippery and unsafe. Overall while some areas may have enough space to move around, the apartment is still missing important accessibility features that would make it fully inclusive for everyone. D. Recommendation Recommendations The most important issue we’ve identified in this apartment is the lack of elevator or ramp access, as the unit is located on the third floor. This creates a huge accessibility barrier for those with mobility issues, including older residents or individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities. Without an elevator, residents or visiting guests who cannot use stairs are completely excluded from the space. Additionally, narrow doorways, especially the 24” passage width in the bathroom, and limited wheelchair maneuvering space create further accessibility challenges. The bathroom is particularly problematic, lacking necessary features like a handheld shower head or a roll-in shower, both essential for individuals with mobility limitations. These issues are not only in terms of accessibility, but also present safety risks, especially in the bathroom’s wet environment. Another major concern that stood out to us is the flooring. While aesthetically pleasing, the apartment has hardwood floors that are not slip-resistant, increasing the risk of falls, especially for individuals with mobility challenges or those who use assistive devices. Non-slip surfaces are essential for safety and should be addressed as soon as possible. To make this apartment more accessible, the biggest change would be adding elevators, ramps, or even relocating more accessible units to lower floors. Widening doorways, bathroom spaces, and installing a roll-in shower for the bathroom would make the unit much safer and more functional as well. Additionally, we believe replacing the hardwood flooring with non-slip materials would reduce the risk of falls and smoothing out entryway thresholds to below ½ inch would allow for easier access to those with wheelchairs and other assistive devices, making the space more accessible for all. A. Executive Summary/Abstract Executive Summary/Abstract The purpose of this report is to discuss the accessibility of the McDonald Street apartment complex located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The accessibility audit was conducted between 7:45 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. on March 20th, 2025. During this time, we assessed important areas of the home like the entryways/pathways, bathroom, kitchen, and general living areas. All measurements were taken using a standard measuring tape to determine door widths, maneuverability spaces, appliance placements, and fixture heights in accordance with the Housing Assessment Checklist standards, with photographic documentation also supporting results. The unit reviewed is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a den, and living area located on the third floor of a three-story building. Our findings show that this apartment does not meet essential accessibility standards particularly in Priority 1: Accessible Approach and Entrance and Priority 3: Access to Restrooms. The absence of an elevator or ramp makes the unit practically inaccessible for individuals with mobility impairments, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices. Additionally, narrow doorways, like the 24-inch bathroom entrance, create even more challenges. The bathroom also lacks crucial accessibility features such as appropriate maneuvering room, a roll-in shower, and a handheld showerhead, making it difficult for those with mobility needs to use the space safely and comfortably as well. The flooring is another concern, as the hardwood surfaces throughout the apartment lack slip resistance. This lack of non-slip surfaces increases the risk of falls, especially in areas prone to moisture, such as the bathroom. While the living room and kitchen have more open space and better accessibility, they do not compensate for the major accessibility barriers at the entryway and in the bathroom. In conclusion, McDonald Street Apartments does not meet the necessary standards for Priority 1 (entry access) and Priority 3 (restroom accessibility). To improve accessibility, key upgrades are needed, including installing an elevator or relocating accessible units to the first floor, widening doorways, adding grab bars and a roll-in shower, replacing flooring with non-slip materials, and lowering entryway thresholds to create a safer and more inclusive environment. B. Background Background The McDonald Street apartment complex, which was built in 1990, is made up of three stories and 36 units. This community offers both two- and three-bedroom apartments, however the unit we specifically assessed is located on the third floor and includes only two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room and a den. The floor plan is simple and open, with the living room and kitchen at the entrance, followed by a hallway leading to the bedrooms, bathroom, and den. Given its close location to Virginia Tech, this apartment complex is likely home to a mix of families and students, and we found that such residents typically use the space for everyday activities like cooking, studying, relaxing, and socializing. Figure 1.1 [Floor plan of the McDonald Street apartment. Includes living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a den. Hallway connects rooms. No accessibility features indicated] Figure 1.2 [Digital map showing McDonald Street apartment complex. Green pin marks its location. Nearby streets and Virginia Tech’s campus visible in larger red circle for distance reference] C. Housing Checklist Field Audit Time Start: 7:45pm, March, 20, 2025 End: 9:35pm March 20, 2025 Building Visitability [For a multi-family home] N 1. Level entry. No steps (or stairs) to enter the house (or apartment). [Apartment is on 3rd level with stairs only, no elevator or ramps. However, no steps to enter physical apartment door] Y 2. One 32” clear accessible doors (36” recommended). [Door is exactly 36” wide] Observation Notes and Images: Figure 2.1 [Outside image of the unit’s front door. Measured at exactly 36 inches wide, meeting accessibility standards for doorway width; however, it does not comply with maneuvering width requirements as seen later in this report] Figure 2.2 [Staircase providing access to all floors of the building, including the first, second, and third floors. Stairs are the only way to reach any unit, as there is no elevator or accessibility ramp] Figure 2.3 [Apartment complex entrance. Stairs lead from the parking lot onto a sidewalk. The staircase entrance is wider than the recommended 36 inches, however no ramps or alternative accessible pathways are present] Entrance and Pathways N/A 1. 5' x 5' level wheelchair maneuvering space outside AND inside the entry door [42” inch width entryway maneuvering space outside of door] [Inside entryway has open maneuvering space more than 1. 5' x 5' around door] N/A 2. Doorbells, burglar and smoke alarms with light AND/OR sound signals [Doorbell- No] [Smoke Alarm-Yes] Y 3. Weather-sheltered entryway (at very least, a broad overhang) N 4. Package shelf or bench near entry for groceries, package deliveries, and resting [No benches or sitting areas] N/A 5. Full-length sidelight(s) at the entry, or window in door to identify visitors [Only overhead lighting reaches all the down the hallway and at entry doors to identify visitors] N 6. Entry/exterior door threshold(s) less than ½” high [Entry/exterior door threshold is more at 1” high] N/A 7. 18” clear space beside door [Inside –Yes] [Outside – No, 4” clear space to door on both sides, 42” total width entryway and maneuvering space] N 8. Motion sensor lighting [Timer lights outside of door, not controllable by residents] Y 9. House or unit addresses in large, high-contrast print [Letters are red against cream, easy to see in high contrast print] Y 10. Color contrast between floor surfaces and adjacent vertical surfaces [Grey floors and counters against white cabinets] N 11. Non-slip floor or ground surface [Hardwood Floor] Observation Notes and Images Figure 3.1 [A close-up of the front door measurement, showing the width at exactly 36 inches (3 feet), highlighted in the red circle. This meets the recommended accessibility standard for doorway width] Figure 3.2 [Measurement of the maneuvering space outside the front door, marked in a red circle. The total width from wall to wall is 42 inches, with only 4 inches of clear space total on both sides of the door, which does not meet accessibility standards] Figure 3.3 [Close-up of the apartment’s letter and unit number. The letters are red against a cream-colored background, providing high contrast and making them easily visible for individuals with vision impairments] Figure 3.4 [Image of the hallway leading to the assessed unit. Overhead lighting is present, but there are no full-length sidelights at the entry, meaning light is only coming from above to illuminate the hallway and entry doors] Bathroom N 1. First-floor bath with 32” clear passage door and a clear path to toilet [24” passage width through door and to toilet] Y 2. High toilet seat (or riser) 17”-19” above floor is easier for sitting and rising [Toilet is 17” exactly above the floor] N 3. Transfer shower with seat, or curbless roll-in shower if transfer is impossible [Risen Tub/Shower] N 4. Tub/shower controls offset to entry side are easy reach from in- or outside [Tub shower controls are not easy to reach from outside or inside tub] N 5. Adjustable-height, hand-held shower: Min. 60” hose on 30” long, anchored slide bar [No handheld adjustable shower head or slide bar, only a handle bar for grip] N/A 6. 32” high vanity sink counter w/knee space, insulated pipes [Vanity counter is 32” exactly, however no knee space] Y 7. Single-lever controls on all faucets turn with one hand, closed fist, or elbow. [Levers only] Y 8. Anti-scald valves on tub and shower faucets prevent unexpected scalding burns [Has color indicators only, no words or symbols on tub and shower faucet] N 9. Mirror bottom at counter or backsplash level [Mirror 16” above counter chest height] Y 10. Bright, non-glare light above or on both sides of sink + fan light in shower ceiling [Light above sink and fan in middle of bathroom ceiling] N 11. Min. 30”x48” clear area in front of bathing fixture or min. 5’ (=60 “) diam. Turn circle [Only 30” diam. Turn circle radius in front of bathing fixture, very small] N 12. Handheld showerheads. [ Singular showerhead in the wall, cannot be removed to be held] Y 13. Reinforced toilet & tub/shower walls allow for future grab bars if needed [Reinforced walls and grab bars currently present in shower] Observation Notes and Images Figure 4.1 [Measurement of the bathroom sink width, showing 28 inches in a red circle. The vanity does not meet ADA requirements, which require a minimum width of 32 inches. Cabinets underneath block knee clearance, making it inaccessible for wheelchair users] Figure 4.2 [Bathroom toilet measuring exactly 17 inches from the floor, which meets accessibility standards for sitting and rising. However, the red circle highlights limited maneuverability space, with only a 30-inch diameter turning radius in front of the tub and toilet, which is very small] Figure 4.3 [Close-up of a grab bar area in shower and tub. The reinforced walls around the toilet and tub/shower allow for future grab bar installation if needed, meeting accessibility standards] Figure 4.4 [A fixed shower head, highlighted in the red circle. This shower head is not detachable, making it non-compliant with accessibility standards. Its height may also be an issue for individuals who have difficulty reaching or standing] Figure 4.5 [Measurement of the bathroom door width at 24 inches (2 feet), shown in the red circle. This is too narrow for accessibility, as ADA standards require at least a 32-inch clear path for wheelchair and walker access. The limited width makes entry difficult and restricts maneuverability inside the bathroom] Kitchen N 1. Knee spaces under sink & cooktop with retractable doors & burn protection [No retractable doors or burn protection and no knee space under sink for movement] Y 2. Adjustable or varied-height work surfaces (28”-38” above floor) are more flexible [36” exactly from floor to counter surface] N 3. Lower work surface for seated work or computer use [As mentioned, 36” from floor to counter] N 4. Continuous counters permit sliding (vs. lifting) heavy pans between work centers [Counters are not continuous and skip from stove, to counter, to sink then to counter again] Y 5. Sink spray fills coffee and other pots on counter without heavy lifting [Sprayer reaches inside and outside of sink for easy pouring and filling] N 6. Rolling carts move and serve with minimal carrying/lifting, then “park” under counter [No rolling carts, counters are permanent] N 7. Dishwashers raised 6” and under-counter dish drawers allow no-bend use [Dishwasher is raised only 4 ¾” from floor and there is no under counter drawers] N 8. (Child-proof) front or side-mounted appliance controls avoid reaching over burners [Must reach over burners to reach appliance controls] N 9. Waist-high microwave level avoids tipping and scalding from high, hot dishes [Microwave located above counter] N 10. (Side-open) wall oven with middle shelf at counter height for level transfers [Oven door pulls down & middle shelf is located at mid-thigh height] N 11. Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer allows full access for both short AND tall users [Is a top and bottom fridge/freezer, accessible for short and tall users] Y 12. Glare-free task lighting over all work centers (e.g., under wall cabinets) [Lighting fixtures are matte and not glossy, avoiding glares] Y 13. Color-contrast counter edges/backsplashes with floor color to aid low vision user [White cabinets with grey floor and grey counter tops] N 14. D-pulls or touch-latches on cabinet doors/drawers easy on stiff or arthritic hands Knobs. [Regular ball knobs] N 15. Full-extension drawers, pull-out shelves, and lazy Susan’s allow full view and access [None of the above] N 16. Adjustable-height shelves raise and lower for varied user- and contents’ heights . [Shelves are not height-adjustable] Y 17. Base cabinets with 6”-9” high toe kicks fit chair footrests and no-trip pet dishes [Height of base cabinet exactly 6” high and toe kicks fit chair footrests] N 18. Full-height pantry with pull-out or revolving shelves offers no-reach access. [No full height pantries and must reach to search through shelves] N 19. Front-loading washers/dryers with front controls are easier to reach and un/load. [Dryer is front-loading, washer is top-loading and controls are not in the front] Y 20. Minimum 30”x48” clear space in front of or at side of kitchen appliances Y 21. Rounded edges on counters. Figure 5.2 [Washer setup with controls. Note that dryer is front-loading, but washer is top loading with controls positioned at the back, shown in red circle. The washer’s deep drum also makes it difficult to reach inside. This setup does not meet accessibility standards, as front-loading machines with front controls are preferred for easier use] Figure 5.3 [Oven with pull-down door. Middle shelf is positioned at mid-thigh height, making level transfers difficult. This does not meet accessibility standards, which recommend a side-opening wall oven with a middle shelf at counter height. However, good color contrast is present between white cabinets, gray countertops, flooring, and dark knobs, aiding individuals with low vision] Figure 5.4 [Measurement of dishwasher height, raised only 4 ¾ inches from the floor, not meeting the recommended 6-inch height. Also note no under-counter dish drawers for no-bend use, making loading and unloading more difficult for individuals with mobility limitations] Summary of Assessment Overall, the McDonald Street Apartments are not universally designed or fully accessible, especially for people with mobility challenges. The biggest issue is the lack of an elevator/ramps, making upper and even lower floor units completely inaccessible to those who can’t use stairs. Inside the apartment, the living room and kitchen have decent open space and accessibility, but the bathroom is quite cramped with only 24 inches of door clearance, lacks a handheld shower head, and doesn’t have a roll-in shower. The flooring is also a major concern since it’s slippery and unsafe. Overall while some areas may have enough space to move around, the apartment is still missing important accessibility features that would make it fully inclusive for everyone. D. Recommendation Recommendations The most important issue we’ve identified in this apartment is the lack of elevator or ramp access, as the unit is located on the third floor. This creates a huge accessibility barrier for those with mobility issues, including older residents or individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities. Without an elevator, residents or visiting guests who cannot use stairs are completely excluded from the space. Additionally, narrow doorways, especially the 24” passage width in the bathroom, and limited wheelchair maneuvering space create further accessibility challenges. The bathroom is particularly problematic, lacking necessary features like a handheld shower head or a roll-in shower, both essential for individuals with mobility limitations. These issues are not only in terms of accessibility, but also present safety risks, especially in the bathroom’s wet environment. Another major concern that stood out to us is the flooring. While aesthetically pleasing, the apartment has hardwood floors that are not slip-resistant, increasing the risk of falls, especially for individuals with mobility challenges or those who use assistive devices. Non-slip surfaces are essential for safety and should be addressed as soon as possible. To make this apartment more accessible, the biggest change would be adding elevators, ramps, or even relocating more accessible units to lower floors. Widening doorways, bathroom spaces, and installing a roll-in shower for the bathroom would make the unit much safer and more functional as well. Additionally, we believe replacing the hardwood flooring with non-slip materials would reduce the risk of falls and smoothing out entryway thresholds to below ½ inch would allow for easier access to those with wheelchairs and other assistive devices, making the space more accessible for all.

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