THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - 34

A GUIDE TO UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Although visitability allows for people with disabilities to access the homes of their nondisabled peers, it’s not the only way for people with disabilities to integrate into the built environment.

People with disabilities frequently share common ground with those who advocate the dense, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use developments that are the hallmark of New Urbanism. Auto-dependant urban sprawl creates a struggle for those with mobility and other disabilities.

However, when many New Urbanist developments are built, their housing is inaccessible as well. This is seemingly contradictory to the diverse intergenerational community that is the hallmark of the New Urbanism.

To its credit, the Congress for the New Urbanism has agreed to endorse a visitability agenda to make New Urbanist housing accessible.