20 Years of Universal Design

Climbing the steep promenade of the Oslo Opera House, I wondered whether a building like this could exist in the United States. The jagged ledges and sudden drops are beautiful and dramatic, but definitely not ADA compliant.

Twenty years have passed since Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For disabled persons, the law offered much-needed protections. However, architects and home designers faced complex challenges. How could they meet the needs of all people, young and old, abled and disabled?

• How The Disabilities Act Has Influenced Architecture, from NPR
• How to Build For Accessibility
• ADA Accessibility Guidelines
• Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act

_{Photo: Oslo Opera House in Oslo, Norway. © Erik Berg}