Experiencing history up close and personal can help bring the events of the past alive.
Unfortunately, those with disabilities sometimes can’t have this kind of contact with historical buildings and landmarks, as many of them were built before advances in accessible technology. At EZ-ACCESS, we are committed to enriching lives by providing access to all spaces, including the ones that connect us with the past. Below is a three-step process you can follow to make a beloved historical building accessible for everyone.
Identify Significant Features
What attributes of the infrastructure make this old building significant? In other words, why was the building deemed worthy of preservation?
Assign levels of importance to the significant features to prioritize what must stay in order to maintain the historical integrity of the structure and what can be added to increase ease of access. If you are unsure, you can always ask a preservation consultant for assistance.
Determine Access Needs
The best way to provide complete accessibility is to consult a team of design professionals.
Feel free to reach out to our team with any questions at this stage in the process!
Don’t forget to navigate the approach to the building as well as the entire building when determining access needs. Too many people focus on the front door, but forget that accessibility needs to happen from the moment an individual gets out of their car until they finish the tour. Make sure to include things such as corridors, stairs, and even surface texture.
Evaluate Options
Get creative and try to find solutions that solve problems in addition to providing accessibility.
For example, our PATHWAY® HD Code Compliant Modular Access System is built from high-quality aluminum that is naturally corrosion-resistant.
So, if the original staircase and hand railing have deteriorated, making it difficult for anyone to enter the building safely, consider replacing the staircase with a durable ramp system.
Providing accessibility for historical buildings is not only a legal issue, but a social one as well.
Think about how you can improve the experience for all visitors and enlarge the space inside of a historical building that can be observed by individuals of all abilities.
If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts to find the right solution for your project.