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Azari Mat Yasir has been teaching architecture at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for 18 years now. Throughout this time, one particular problem kept bugging him and Azari just couldn't ignore it any longer. Property developers have been cutting corners on accessibility, making everyday life for people with special needs way harder than they could be. Moreover, the authorities in the country have been turning a blind eye to what's happening. So, the lecturer decided to take matters into his own hands, creating a series of illustrations depicting these struggles that shouldn't even exist in the first place.

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#1

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Carol Emory
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the one that makes me angry. I have a friend whose husband is wheelchair bound. Her van has a side loading ramp to get him in and out. Many times we were sitting in parking lots with thawing and melting groceries trying to locate the owner of a car that thought the striped place at handicapped parking was an additional parking space. If I ever see you parked here...have no doubt I will call the police and have your car ticketed or towed. And if you have a motorcycle, be prepared to search for it because I will relocate it to the most inconvenient spot I can find.

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"As architects, we are trained to fulfill the needs of the end user," Azari told Bored Panda. "However, accessibility needs are almost never a priority in Malaysia, apart from special needs buildings like hospitals. Most architectural programs offered at local universities don't even emphasize on special needs, or more known as Universal Design, my university included."

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Michał Jastrzębski
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats one reason. Another is, you can block the view of screen and keypad from bystanders more easily with your own body - so security.

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In an attempt to increase awareness amongst his students, Azari started sketching some of the issues. "It was after I shared my drawings on Facebook that they gained traction. Now I'm also advocating for universal design in architectural schools in Malaysia, mainly to get it implemented at least by a lecture or two if not become a full subject of its own."

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Bumblebee
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, dangerous spots. I remember those spots from way back when I just got my chronic diseases. Back then my diseases weren't as bad as they are now.. Now I am in a wheelchair. 2 years of crutches, followed by (to date, with no progress in sight) 11 years in a wheelchair. Oh, the memories and obstacles in my memory and still to this date. It isn't always easy!

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"On this side of the world, our life expectancy used to be low, barely reaching 60 years," Azari explained. "So most people would pass before they reached an age where disability becomes much more possible. As a result, Malaysian buildings built in the 70s and 80s never really considered universal design. But nowadays, our life expectancy has increased to over 70 years, yet the mindset has not changed. Buildings still follow regulations which were set in the 70s."

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Night Owl
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suspected for a long time now that many of those that I saw are too steep. Thanks for confirming. It really needs to be fixed. It's a risk both for the person in the wheelchair and for anyone passing by (walking) or standing at the end of the ramp.

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"Of course, to change something that is not easy. But many groups are now moving in tandem to create awareness by engaging the politicians, property developers and other invested parties. And I'm merely contributing in academia, creating awareness amongst young architects so they would be ready to tackle universal design issues in the future as well."

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Michał Jastrzębski
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah, WTF is with housing laws that allow <5 stories high buildings to not have elevators? And its not just disabled...anyone that had kids (or more than one toddler at a time, chaos forbid...) will be hard pressed to move the baby carriage up and down, srsly.

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Bumblebee
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only every blind / visually impaired person was able to have a guide dog.. but it can be very expensive!! And there is much/strict training required. And then you have those people (haven't seen it yet on the list, maybe it will be further down) who will pet the guide dog and thus distract the dog, while it is working! Even though their harness (I guess in all cases) clearly states: Don't pet me, I am working. Some people just can't resist to pet a working dog. If it happens too often this can get very dangerous!

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R L
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish more people understood this. Service dogs are not pets- they serve a purpose. Out of harness when not on duty- sure, say hi after asking permission. Service dogs open up the world for their owners- the people who train them are gifted with patience and wonderfully dedicated.

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Ben Churchill
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Accessibility issue aside, how is this even a practical thing for any person walking on that path? Everyone would need to duck under the sign. It's ridiculous that this was even considered, let alone implemented.

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Cat person
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol it's not a path... it's the thing on the side of the highway that tells you when you're getting too close to the edge

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Gipsy Kings fan
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These excellent illustrations should be required reading for architects, developers, and city planners worldwide. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted. One of the ADA-mandated accessibility features is the sidewalk curb cut (what is lacking in the illustration above). Curb cuts have been omnipresent in cities since the 1990s. I live in the Los Angeles area; there are curb cuts at virtually every intersection. But negligent officials have been unbelievably slow in installing curb cuts everywhere they are needed. One well-known affluent municipality in the area has had the mandated curb cuts for many years. However, there is a very small triangular sidewalk “island” at a point where three large streets intersect. Curb cuts were installed on this island ONLY ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. This little island is located at the southern edge of the city, the less affluent side of town, where none of the city bigwigs live.

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flimsynormalcy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The textured sidewalk serve as tactile cues for the blind to know they are going in the right direction, when to stop prior to a curb or crosswalk, etc. so that big, annoying sign right in the middle of the path is an accident waiting to happen, particularly if you rely on other senses to help orient yourself to your surroundings. I'm speechless this actually happened.

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BusLady
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my town, one of the City Council members (who is legally blind) fell into an open manhole.

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Pug Pug
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What happened? He walked into the sign? he didn't vote because he didn't know what to vote for? I dont get what "actually happened"

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HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is on part of the pavement with a different texture, it should be able to guide him but some f*****g idiot has put a sign up so now the blind dude will walk into it and probably hurt himself.

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Michał Jastrzębski
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it gets better...my apartment building has an elevator with a nice, lovely buttons panel...that is a touch screen. No physical interface for anyone who has even remotelly bad eyes, because its dim like all f***s. Looks nice, but...just why?

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L McN
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was once wheelchair bound, thank god not permanently. This did happen, but not only at bus stops. The advantage for me was after my arm healed (but not before) I was able to spin around and carefully climb or drop curbs on my own. Those who have no use of their arms or use electric wheelchairs cannot do this...

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Mrta Brzoza
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O don't get that why the door in m American toilets open to the inside and not outside. They always open to the outside in Poland and I never got hit by a toilet door while passing outside. People do not open them with a karate kick. And with the door opening to the outside you have more room inside the toilet.

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Night Owl
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would definitely not be able enter my home (or leave after in it) if I ever end up in a wheelchair, at least not without some major help. It's a scary thought.

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L McN
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I HATED going to places with this problem. You always get the angry look when the receptionist or attendant has to actually stand up and make and effort. Then the help you get is often half-assed, not even meeting the bare minimum. This isn't everywhere or everyone, but it is common enough that I dreaded it.

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L McN
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Went to a hotel that had this, I was impressed. then I learned it was only a select few rooms, but still nice that it was considered.

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Michał Jastrzębski
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeeah, fixed furniture. Tell that to shorter than usual people that cant reach the table ;)

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