It’s COMPLICATED

Today I got an invite to attend a class in accessibility.  This is a very  important topic for Architects!  In California in fact, this is the ONLY topic in the entire field of the design of buildings and places that requires continuing education … not fire safety, exiting, material durability, energy use, structural stability, health safety and welfare …. nope, none of those require any continuing education to maintain a professional license here.  Just accessibility.

The class was going to be held full time for four full days …  and practically speaking, perhaps four days is barely enough to cover the thousands of pages of codes, standards and regulations just related to accessibility …

Four days of detailed training in this area of course would provide no assurance that any resulting design would not be subject to legal claims brought by one of the specialist attorneys that have thrived in the complex realm of accessibility …

Are the accessibility standards as they presently exist too complex for mere mortals ???  Design professionals and building owners both want buildings and spaces to be available for everyone to use and enjoy … that just common sense, and good business.  Perhaps if standards were clear it would result in greater accessibility for all, with fewer dollars diverted to claims and the huge costs involved in that legal dance.

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