Accessorizing Accessibility: Flexible Tools For Your Everyday

Discussions with friends and other allies in the disability community lead to the discovery of barriers related to one of the modern symbols of accessibility, the Electronic Door Opener (EDO). As such my research became concerned with physical accessibility to and through the built environment. To develop a greater understanding of the concern this project initiated a thorough audit of EDOs by reviewing their functionality in the built environment with respect to peoples’ bodies. Round table discussions between community members (who identified as being a part of, or allied with the disability community) revealed a range of concerns regarding EDO remotes. Major concerns included how the remote would affect privacy, social stigma, personal security and the risk for abuse. Despite some differences, the discussion satisfied most group concerns and showed strong evidence that the concept could improve environmental access.