Category: Architects

At Ascension, our mission is to foster inclusivity through accessibility in the built environment. To further our goal, we recently partnered with the University of Arizona's College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA) to help support the next generation of architects build more accessible structures. We spoke with Teresa Rosano, assistant professor at CAPLA […]

What about architecture for the hearing impaired? Gallaudet University began the DeafSpace Institute to promote architecture for the deaf.

Regardless of their situation, it’s common for home owners to worry about damaging their home’s resale value when making accessible renovations. However, making informed, practical, and architecturally sound home accessibility modifications can actually increase a home’s value, in addition to its comfort and usability. The Trick to Increasing Home Value through Accessibility Renovation (Hint: Universal-Design) […]

Ascension provides free architectural plan reviews to any architects specifying an Ascension lift in their design plans.

Ascension proudly sponsors a free continuing education course for architects, titled “Vertical Lift Innovations.” This hour-long course is designed to keep practicing architects up-to-date on accessibility laws and the benefits of specifying Vertical Platform Lifts (VPLs) to facilitate accessibility. At its conclusion, the course provides one continuing education unit (CEU) as well as a certificate […]

According to a 2008 report published in the Monthly Labor Review, there has been a downward trend in the employment of people with disabilities 1990. With few exceptions, this trend has persisted despite the inception of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), into law almost thirty years ago. Moreover, this decline has continued to worsen […]

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination, “On the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” Therefore, it would seem that the best way […]

The requirements put forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), can be unclear and are therefore subject to broad interpretation.  

  In the past, most buildings were not designed with accessibility in mind. As a result, many historic buildings or structures are inaccessible to disabled persons. However, since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, more attention is being given to the accessible design of homes, businesses, and public spaces, as well […]

Mistake Number 1: Failure to Educate Your Client As an architect, you already know about accessible facility design. You probably also know a fair bit about vertical platform lifts (VPLs).