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Accessibility in urban planning is a vitally important feature of any civilized society - everyone, regardless of their mobility, should be able to access and enjoy public facilities. Crappy-designed accessibility for people in wheelchairs, for example, sends a pretty insulting message: "We added this feature because someone told us we had to, but it's not important enough that we put any effort into making sure it actually helps."

Accessibility then becomes purely symbolic, something designed to show that we care, but has no practical purpose. Sadly, disabled people encounter this kind of attitude all too often, and beyond the continuous and ongoing campaigns for wheelchair accessible planning, there is little left to do but laugh at these outrageous design fails collected by Bored Panda.

So scroll down below to see where good intentions can go wrong for yourself, and if you see bad examples of disability-friendly designs in your neighborhood, be sure to report it to your local council or government representative!

#1

To Invite A Disabled Man To Talk About Accessibility..

To Invite A Disabled Man To Talk About Accessibility..

bebesiege Report

For some insight on accessibility matters Bored Panda spoke to Julienne at abilities.com, the resource for the disability community in the USA. Julienne is sadly all too acquainted with businesses making half-hearted attempts to prioritize and provide effective accessibility, even if they do follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design.

"Unfortunately, accessibility is just a burr under the saddle of many business owners," she told us. "It is an expense they don’t think they can afford because they don’t view the wheelchair community as the over $1 Trillion aggregate income market that it is. Their businesses aren’t accessible so they don’t see people in wheelchairs, so they don’t think they are important in their market. A classic Joseph Heller: Catch-22."

#2

If You Aren't Already In A Wheelchair, You Will Be After This

If You Aren't Already In A Wheelchair, You Will Be After This

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jonvintage85 avatar
Cactuar Jon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*person in a wheelchair* "Nah, it's fine. Think I'll take the stairs" 😅

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#3

Extreme Wheelchairing!

Extreme Wheelchairing!

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laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have ramp access to my house....and at the end of the ramp is a giant step....not as big as above, but still wtf!

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So what can be done to improve awareness on the importance of accessibility? How do we get businesses to understand that cutting costs and corners to make inadequate facilities isn't just inconvenient and potentially dangerous, but offensive too?

"People with disabilities and their supporters have to speak up," Julienne continues. "Post it on Yelp, take pictures and post it on the businesses’ social media. Use peer pressure, shame them, and most of all, vote with your wallet. Unfortunately, the winner there is Amazon. They saw the need of people who can’t/don’t want to leave their houses and have exploited it superbly.".

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#5

Being Handicapped In Cabo San Lucas Is Apparently An Extreme Sport. (Fb Friend's Vacation Pic)

Being Handicapped In Cabo San Lucas Is Apparently An Extreme Sport. (Fb Friend's Vacation Pic)

Just_some_n00b Report

Julienne believes that the best thing businesses can do is to simply ask a person using a wheelchair to share their experiences, and learn from them. Over 23 years in the wheelchair she has encountered no end of rude and frustrating situations where a little basic understanding would sure go a long way.

"The biggest problem is that they don’t have someone in a wheelchair consulting on the build," Julienne says. "If they had someone in a wheelchair try to bump up a steep grade, for example, and then hold themselves in place with one hand on a wheel while trying to open a heavy door with a handle too high, that swings OUT, they never would have built it that way."

"Put all owners, designers and employees in a wheelchair for a day and let them try it."

Makes sense, doesn't it? Julienne believes that it all starts with the individual’s awareness, so don't be afraid to talk to people with disabilities about their accessibility needs and frustrations. The more we learn to empathize with each other and experience the world in another person's shoes, the better things will be for everyone!

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#7

Accessibility Fail

Accessibility Fail

HelenaohneH Report

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james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I thought, what’s the problem this is a lift. Then I saw the step. 🤦‍♀️

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#10

How Is This Supposed To Work??

How Is This Supposed To Work??

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

Possibly someone pointing out that there are no spots reserved for people with disabilities.

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#11

Because F**k You For Being In A Wheelchair

Because F**k You For Being In A Wheelchair

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#12

The Portuguese Parliament Had To Become Handicap Acessible Due To Having One Deputy On A Wheelchair. This Is The Result

The Portuguese Parliament Had To Become Handicap Acessible Due To Having One Deputy On A Wheelchair. This Is The Result

imgur.com Report

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

"Had To Become Handicap Acessible" any building of an authority, and any building with a public function (such as hotels, bathrooms, libraries etc.) should be handicap accessible. Otherwise it prevents handicapped people from participating in a regular life!

jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a law that says this. :) It's a little complicated with older heritage protected buildings and I think there are some exceptions for them but other than that - it's a good law.

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jksimm515 avatar
Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fairness those might be just temporary until they install a better option. They look moveable, the green handles on them make it look like it at least. So these aren't permanent, just a way to make it accessible before a permanent fix.

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

Let me see...what's the least amount of crappy effort we can make...hmmm

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

Let me see...what's the lest amount of crappy effort we can make...hmmm

danielmateus_lx avatar
Daniel Mateus
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In reality this was a photo made by this deputy and his party to point out that although most public buildings in Portugal had been updated since the full accessibility law got enforced in 2006 it still hadn't happened in the parliament building. He was the first ever deputy using a wheelchair in Portugal. In just a couple of days wooden ramps properly designed were installed and after that the full adaptation works have taken place. After that there was even a government member that was blind. The picture is already a few years old.

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

Reminds me of trying to get your tires into the tracks at the carwash.

elizabethcwest avatar
Pretty Pangolin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could help him, at least be a spotter at the bottom of the ramp. That's just wrong.

hendralim avatar
Hendra Lim
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just need to wait for it to snap right in middle when this Deputy trying access it

laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He has that "I know this is ludicrous " look of exasperation he is giving the photographer

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like when Bart broke his tailbone and the school had to become wheelchair accessible. simpsons-w...d3a720.jpg simpsons-wheelchair-accessible-ramps-5d548b3d3a720.jpg

dulcepaesreis avatar
Dulce Paes Reis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More photos here: http://visao.sapo.pt/actualidade/portugal/2015-10-26-O-Parlamento-nao-esta-preparado-para-ele

lizmcclellan avatar
Elizabeth Van Auken
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking at their poorly thought out solutions is heartbreaking. He deserves so much better!!!

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Jane Sleeth
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine the armstrength required to push the chair up manually and unassisted? These make me so mad as they show a complete lack of respect for people of all abilities, age, size etc. JESleeth OPtimal Performance

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

I'd like to handicap the person who came up with this one!

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

That is what my dentist (or dentite if you prefer) did for me. It was an aluminum ramp. One set was stolen while out on the stairs. I told him that I couldn't get up the ramp without my wife pushing me but since she is my only ride, I'd never go without her. He stopped taking my insurance so I switched dentites.

kachang avatar
Kathi Keegan Chang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who can't spell "Handicapped?" Obviously, not the one who thought they could spell correctly!! BAD!!!

gedmaybury23 avatar
Ged Maybury
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"For you, sir, it was the least we could do." (with a smile)

pmnovack avatar
Kanga9ine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From what I see, they did pound in a couple of nails to slow him down. He probably gets not much further than about a foot away from the the boards as he gets to the bottom before coming to a complete stop with punctured tires and can't go anywhere.

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

"like, dude, we built this special for you, man, what's the trouble?"

krzysztofmazurkiewicz avatar
Shull GaRett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This look on his face when seeing this "contraption" seems to be saying... "Ill take the stairs"

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
4 years ago

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What's wrong with that? Would be a waste of money and destruction of that beautiful stairs to put in a ramp for one person.

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

There are companies that specialise in making older stone buildings accessible, no need to destroy the stairs. My dads masonry company did it a lot for the old stone buildings in London. It's not a "waste of money" to ensure everyone can get to parliament. How ridiculous

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#13

Hospital Which I Work Has These Wheelchairs For The Patients

Hospital Which I Work Has These Wheelchairs For The Patients

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

This seems incredibly resourceful. Where is this? That model would be $4,500 not covered by insurance in the US.

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#14

Accessibility Fail

Accessibility Fail

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

To be fair, the rail guy flew in to protect people from the ramp guy.

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#15

For Those Who Feel They Aren't Quite Handicapped Enough...

For Those Who Feel They Aren't Quite Handicapped Enough...

OctopussSevenTwo Report

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

What's with these wheelchair slides? Are people really that stupid? Or just lazy?

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#20

Wheelchair Friendly

Wheelchair Friendly

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

This is where code meets regulation.. Code says you have to have a banister.. regulation says you need a ramp.

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#21

Access For Disabled Wheelchair Users

Access For Disabled Wheelchair Users

4Kmemento Report

#23

"Wheelchair Access" For The Brave

"Wheelchair Access" For The Brave

dtrford Report

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

It is also a way to increase the wheelchair-bound population, especially if someone is walking along absorbed on the cell phone. Is that an orthopedist next door?

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#24

This Wheelchair Ramp

This Wheelchair Ramp

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#25

Accessibility Fail

Accessibility Fail

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

we can see 2 cup… so people just pee outside and let their cups outside the bathroom

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#26

Accessibility Fail

Accessibility Fail

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#27

Hats Off To The Genius Who Installed This Disabled Access Ramp

Hats Off To The Genius Who Installed This Disabled Access Ramp

sdalferth Report

#29

At Least Wheelchairs Can Reach The First Stair

At Least Wheelchairs Can Reach The First Stair

Juju1990 Report

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

So they’re saved from going up one extra stair? Good job, everyone!

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#30

Oh Yeah, You Could Get A Wheelchair In There No Problem

Oh Yeah, You Could Get A Wheelchair In There No Problem

bennett4senate Report

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

This locker is for disabled people because it is the only one that you can sit in front of. I would imagine this is to suit a particular person's needs. The sign is obviously not only for people who are in actual wheel-chairs, it is an immediately recognizable symbol!

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Note: this post originally had 81 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.