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!
This post may include affiliate links.
To Invite A Disabled Man To Talk About Accessibility..
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."
If You Aren't Already In A Wheelchair, You Will Be After This
*person in a wheelchair* "Nah, it's fine. Think I'll take the stairs" 😅
Extreme Wheelchairing!
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!
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.".
This Crosswalk For The Handicapped
Being Handicapped In Cabo San Lucas Is Apparently An Extreme Sport. (Fb Friend's Vacation Pic)
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!
Epic Fail When It Comes To Accessibility
Accessibility Fail
Accessibility Fail
Accessibility Fail
How Is This Supposed To Work??
Possibly someone pointing out that there are no spots reserved for people with disabilities.
Because F**k You For Being In A Wheelchair
The Portuguese Parliament Had To Become Handicap Acessible Due To Having One Deputy On A Wheelchair. This Is The Result
"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!
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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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.
His face just says it all. What is Portuguese for "WTF Karen?!"
Let me see...what's the least amount of crappy effort we can make...hmmm
Let me see...what's the lest amount of crappy effort we can make...hmmm
I was laughing in the beginning of the post, now I just feel sad.
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.
Reminds me of trying to get your tires into the tracks at the carwash.
I wish I could help him, at least be a spotter at the bottom of the ramp. That's just wrong.
just need to wait for it to snap right in middle when this Deputy trying access it
He has that "I know this is ludicrous " look of exasperation he is giving the photographer
Like when Bart broke his tailbone and the school had to become wheelchair accessible. simpsons-w...d3a720.jpg 
More photos here: http://visao.sapo.pt/actualidade/portugal/2015-10-26-O-Parlamento-nao-esta-preparado-para-ele
Looking at their poorly thought out solutions is heartbreaking. He deserves so much better!!!
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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
That doesn't look secure, not safe, not much thought in the plan !!!
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.
Who can't spell "Handicapped?" Obviously, not the one who thought they could spell correctly!! BAD!!!
This look on his face when seeing this "contraption" seems to be saying... "Ill take the stairs"
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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Hospital Which I Work Has These Wheelchairs For The Patients
Accessibility Fail
For Those Who Feel They Aren't Quite Handicapped Enough...
This Handicap Ramp
For Disabled People On Stilts
Accessibility Fail
Extreme Wheelchairing
Wheelchair Friendly
Access For Disabled Wheelchair Users
Design Fail
"Wheelchair Access" For The Brave
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?
This Wheelchair Ramp
Accessibility Fail
Accessibility Fail
Hats Off To The Genius Who Installed This Disabled Access Ramp
It's Just Up The Stairs
At Least Wheelchairs Can Reach The First Stair
So they’re saved from going up one extra stair? Good job, everyone!
Oh Yeah, You Could Get A Wheelchair In There No Problem
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!
In Thailand We Prioritize Accessibility For The Disabled
This Shop Sells Wheelchairs.
Accessibility Fail
I can’t help but notice what appears to be a wheelchair on its side just to the right of the steps...
Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible Bathrooms With Stairs
I Suppose It's A Ramp - Sort Of.
Suicide Ramp
Accessibility Fail
Wheelchair Accessible Washrooms Are Located On The Second Floor. Just A Quick Trip Up The Escalator
Design Fail
This is the grave for the disabled people who went YOLO and tried some of the ramps shown in the other pictures.
Accessibility Fail
Accessibility Fail
This Wheelchair Ramp
Making Communities Accessible To Those In Wheelchairs
It is mindblowing to see they take the time to add these ramps yet are unable to see what idiots they are for missing the point.
This Handicapped Restroom Is Not Easy To Get Into In A Wheelchair
I could get in there, if that damn door handle wasn't that high! Though the door seems like a heavyweight door, which makes it a little bit more difficult. But still doable (for me). But the heavy door in combination with the step up makes it a little more challenging. That door handle would be the main problem for me. Plus.. not everyone in a wheelchair can use a heavyweight door.. or go up such a step.
Was Told To Post This Here: A Ramp For Disabled People That Ends In A Puddle
To be fair it looks they've realised their existing path is not accessible to everyone and tried to be more inclusive. It wouldn't surprise me if the metal ramp is a temporary measure. (By stating "temporary", I do, of course, mean a council's version of the word temporary, which could be anywhere between 2 months and 20 years.)
Found This In My City
This Wheelchair Entrance In A Park
This Wheelchair Ramp. If You Think It Is A Joke... No... It Is Not A Joke.
Accessibility Fail
The further down I go, the more I wander... JUST HOW FREAKING DULL ARE THESE ARCHITECTS? Although in defense of this one, if that below it is sand, it might have been half way in it when they made it. Maybe...
A Wheelchair Access Button On Top Of Staircase
This Recently Installed Wheelchair Accessible Route In My Neighborhood.
City officials should have to try all of this in a manual wheelchair before it gets signed off on
Accessibility Fail
didn't see the whole Picture.. "well, this one works out actually".. *scrolls down*.. "ohh"..
Wheelchair Service Reception, Up A Flight Of Stairs.
I think it is pointing to another door further round the building, this is just a fire exit
This Wheelchair Ramp In Pakistan
My Friend On A Wheelchair Took This Photo
This Wheelchair Ramp That Ends In A Wall
Disabled People Have To Learn How To Bunny Hop With Wheelchairs In Lithuania
Yes, A Disabled Access And... Oh Crap... (Exceter College, Oxford, England)
Ramps Of Death
How Are You Supposed To Get Up That First Bit In A Wheelchair
Wheelchair Ramp To A Staircase In A Mall In Haugesund, Norway
Sncf (France)
This Wheelchair Ramp In Spain
This Handicap "Accessable" Ramp
Accessibility Fail
Compared to some others, this one isn't really that bad. Sure, the slope is still too steep, but it's obviously an improvised solution made by someone who doesn't know what the slope should have been.
Most picures are hillarious, but the back story of them is grim. Typically, they reflect the attempt to meet some regulations rather than the willingness to include all people.
It mainly boils down to one thing - they never actually consult a disabled person or test it. Ramps must have grab rails and must be at a shallow angle. Anything 40 degrees or more is likely to be unusable. My mobility scooter cuts out if it goes that steep. My manual wheelchair would struggle to go safely up and down. Electric wheelchairs will likely suffer the same angle problem my scooter does. Steep angles are also no good for people who can walk but are not able to use stairs.
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These are just ridiculous and so dangerous. I can’t believe that there is so little consideration for people with disabilities.
I agree, it is degrading, makes me utterly furious!
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The words that popped into my head were: inconsiderate, rude, discriminatory, uncaring, ridiculous and illegal!
I have dyspraxia, fibromyalgia, asthma, von Willebrands, rheumatic pains and have been having seizures that are currently being diagnosed. I mainly insist on walking but I need a crutch, I often fall over or collapse, I get tired and breathless easily, my joints ache constantly and getting around is just really difficult for me. I have mates who use crutches or sticks, wheelchairs and mobility scooters for different hidden disabilities. If I'm in hospital or go for a day out, I need a chair as I can't walk too much, especially if it's hot as I have very little temperature control. Basic alterations like ramps, parking spaces near the doors and disabled loos mean the difference between us being able to function as normal people or as not.
This is quite cruel to be honest. So many places with useless ramps... it´s appalling!
On another note, please don't park cars across footpaths! It means people with disabilities have to go onto the road to get around
I had to relearn to walk several years ago (and still need a cane sometimes) so the "handicapped accessible" thing is often a bad joke, IMHO. It's not here, but there's an office in my area where you can ramp into the waiting room fine. It's the three steps up to get to the rest of the offices that create a problem... So some genius just put down plywood and braced it with bricks. Yep. ADA-compliant...?!
To be fair, most of these "fails" are attempts by building owners to comply with regulations that were put into effect well after the original design for their building was conceived. As a result, the engineering that went into the building never included space enough to include a ramp. So many end up being too short or a compromise had to be reached (such as the ramp being too steep or a stair being left above or below the ramp) because there isn't enough room for that ramp. Also, in some cities, ordinances allow for these compromises exactly because they had to acknowledge that some structures simply lack the real estate for a ramp. Newer buildings in these cities will often have well-designed access that is incorporated in the blueprints.
My cousin studied architecture and one of the things she did was comment on the ramps when she saw them. On one walk she commented one I thought was good enough, she said that the incline was too steep. The university let them borrow a wheel chair and let them try getting up and down these, or how difficult it was. I believe all the architects and builders should try that as well. Might make them think.
For future designer or builder, please give importance to the needs of person with disability specially on accessibility..if you cant design or build a sensible access to them just don't do it. Other are just a stupid compliance to the city ordinance. Be re-mindful on the user not just for compliance. Or better don't comply on your own recourse, have an expert to see the situation.
It's difficult to believe there are so many pathetic attempts to design a simple ramp, no consideration what so ever, if it wasn't an important matter, I would think all are a joke !!!
I'm curious about how many of these are in the US vs other countries. I have noticed that sometimes other places don't have very good laws or enforcement on disability access to services. (Disclaimer: yes, I am also aware that some places in the US do not do a good job of this either. It's a problem everywhere) Also, just for the sake of humor, I think anybody who has designed these "access ramps" should have to use one in a wheel chair to see how well they actually work. Clearly very little thought went into any of them.
These are absolutely the worst possible designs for wheelchair access. I hope all of these places have to pay a hefty fine and build one that works.
All of these are shocking from just the initial design level, but it is insult upon insult for them to have been carried through. Why on earth didn't the workmen just say, "No! I'm not doing something so ridiculous!"???
Words fail me, how disrespectful and discriminatory these are. Anyone is an accident away from being in a wheelchair even if it's temporary. My daughter was in a full leg cast and was off school for three months because there was no proper disabled access or toilets
Persons are paid for putting these 'ADAPTATIONS' in place !! More to the point they appear to have been in situ a while. Why Are they still there ???
Posts like this make you realize that most places are just paying lip service to a requirement, and they actually have no intention or desire to make life properly accessible for people with mobility limitations. I can't even imagine the nightmare of day to day movement and travel for wheelchair users.
My daughter is 20 and has used a wheelchair for 18 yrs... I "cant even" with these photos but I also have encountered so many absurdly ridiculous 'accessible accommodations' in our lifetime that I believe some idiots thought they were doing the right thing. I still travel with her in a light weight sport style chair that i can lift up a few steps cause I expect everyplace to have a barrier of some kind. (also the bathrooms are never actually big enough for a wheelchair to fit in the stall and close the door)
This makes me so angry, that disabled people are treated in this manner. I hope the a’holes who built them get what they deserve!
All architects and building planners should have to live in a wheelchair for 2 days, visiting as many "accessible" public and private buildings as possible, so they can experience how many supposedly accessible areas aren't!
I want every moron who designed these to have to traverse these horrors in a wheelchair and see just how easy it is.
A history of accessibility could work wonders. Disability is not a coherified concept in earlier eras. Many of these designs look like an assistant, parent, or chauffeur would be helping. Others look like strong arms would be lowering chair and all. Some designs were probably never intended to be used by anyone, let alone persons with disabilities, while others may had been due to incompetent laborers. Most of them look to be fairly old structures. And some seem geared at getting all types of people to contemplate prevention of disability. And some of the symbols look like fanciful pranks with no actual relation to accessibility.
Well . . . there are two choices. 1) get white spray paint and outline multiple bodies around the offending areas . . . or, 2) either "CRIME SCENE" or "CAUTION" tape wrapped across railings. Either one will get noticed, possibly to the extent of news coverage and/or corrective measures. Worth a try . . .
Every single one pretty much looks ... auld These were clearly experimental designs, but many were based on the idea of being accompanied by a parent or assistant. Without chauffers, a lot of wealthy people would have been out of luck entirely. Times have changed but time clearly hasn't changed some things.
This is insane! Whoever has designed any of these deathtraps should be forced to use them... in a wheelchair.
What is totally frightening,is that human beings installed these ramps.
No terribles designs....Disrespectful designs for every human with or without disabilities.
Most picures are hillarious, but the back story of them is grim. Typically, they reflect the attempt to meet some regulations rather than the willingness to include all people.
It mainly boils down to one thing - they never actually consult a disabled person or test it. Ramps must have grab rails and must be at a shallow angle. Anything 40 degrees or more is likely to be unusable. My mobility scooter cuts out if it goes that steep. My manual wheelchair would struggle to go safely up and down. Electric wheelchairs will likely suffer the same angle problem my scooter does. Steep angles are also no good for people who can walk but are not able to use stairs.
Load More Replies... These are just ridiculous and so dangerous. I can’t believe that there is so little consideration for people with disabilities.
I agree, it is degrading, makes me utterly furious!
Load More Replies... The words that popped into my head were: inconsiderate, rude, discriminatory, uncaring, ridiculous and illegal!
I have dyspraxia, fibromyalgia, asthma, von Willebrands, rheumatic pains and have been having seizures that are currently being diagnosed. I mainly insist on walking but I need a crutch, I often fall over or collapse, I get tired and breathless easily, my joints ache constantly and getting around is just really difficult for me. I have mates who use crutches or sticks, wheelchairs and mobility scooters for different hidden disabilities. If I'm in hospital or go for a day out, I need a chair as I can't walk too much, especially if it's hot as I have very little temperature control. Basic alterations like ramps, parking spaces near the doors and disabled loos mean the difference between us being able to function as normal people or as not.
This is quite cruel to be honest. So many places with useless ramps... it´s appalling!
On another note, please don't park cars across footpaths! It means people with disabilities have to go onto the road to get around
I had to relearn to walk several years ago (and still need a cane sometimes) so the "handicapped accessible" thing is often a bad joke, IMHO. It's not here, but there's an office in my area where you can ramp into the waiting room fine. It's the three steps up to get to the rest of the offices that create a problem... So some genius just put down plywood and braced it with bricks. Yep. ADA-compliant...?!
To be fair, most of these "fails" are attempts by building owners to comply with regulations that were put into effect well after the original design for their building was conceived. As a result, the engineering that went into the building never included space enough to include a ramp. So many end up being too short or a compromise had to be reached (such as the ramp being too steep or a stair being left above or below the ramp) because there isn't enough room for that ramp. Also, in some cities, ordinances allow for these compromises exactly because they had to acknowledge that some structures simply lack the real estate for a ramp. Newer buildings in these cities will often have well-designed access that is incorporated in the blueprints.
My cousin studied architecture and one of the things she did was comment on the ramps when she saw them. On one walk she commented one I thought was good enough, she said that the incline was too steep. The university let them borrow a wheel chair and let them try getting up and down these, or how difficult it was. I believe all the architects and builders should try that as well. Might make them think.
For future designer or builder, please give importance to the needs of person with disability specially on accessibility..if you cant design or build a sensible access to them just don't do it. Other are just a stupid compliance to the city ordinance. Be re-mindful on the user not just for compliance. Or better don't comply on your own recourse, have an expert to see the situation.
It's difficult to believe there are so many pathetic attempts to design a simple ramp, no consideration what so ever, if it wasn't an important matter, I would think all are a joke !!!
I'm curious about how many of these are in the US vs other countries. I have noticed that sometimes other places don't have very good laws or enforcement on disability access to services. (Disclaimer: yes, I am also aware that some places in the US do not do a good job of this either. It's a problem everywhere) Also, just for the sake of humor, I think anybody who has designed these "access ramps" should have to use one in a wheel chair to see how well they actually work. Clearly very little thought went into any of them.
These are absolutely the worst possible designs for wheelchair access. I hope all of these places have to pay a hefty fine and build one that works.
All of these are shocking from just the initial design level, but it is insult upon insult for them to have been carried through. Why on earth didn't the workmen just say, "No! I'm not doing something so ridiculous!"???
Words fail me, how disrespectful and discriminatory these are. Anyone is an accident away from being in a wheelchair even if it's temporary. My daughter was in a full leg cast and was off school for three months because there was no proper disabled access or toilets
Persons are paid for putting these 'ADAPTATIONS' in place !! More to the point they appear to have been in situ a while. Why Are they still there ???
Posts like this make you realize that most places are just paying lip service to a requirement, and they actually have no intention or desire to make life properly accessible for people with mobility limitations. I can't even imagine the nightmare of day to day movement and travel for wheelchair users.
My daughter is 20 and has used a wheelchair for 18 yrs... I "cant even" with these photos but I also have encountered so many absurdly ridiculous 'accessible accommodations' in our lifetime that I believe some idiots thought they were doing the right thing. I still travel with her in a light weight sport style chair that i can lift up a few steps cause I expect everyplace to have a barrier of some kind. (also the bathrooms are never actually big enough for a wheelchair to fit in the stall and close the door)
This makes me so angry, that disabled people are treated in this manner. I hope the a’holes who built them get what they deserve!
All architects and building planners should have to live in a wheelchair for 2 days, visiting as many "accessible" public and private buildings as possible, so they can experience how many supposedly accessible areas aren't!
I want every moron who designed these to have to traverse these horrors in a wheelchair and see just how easy it is.
A history of accessibility could work wonders. Disability is not a coherified concept in earlier eras. Many of these designs look like an assistant, parent, or chauffeur would be helping. Others look like strong arms would be lowering chair and all. Some designs were probably never intended to be used by anyone, let alone persons with disabilities, while others may had been due to incompetent laborers. Most of them look to be fairly old structures. And some seem geared at getting all types of people to contemplate prevention of disability. And some of the symbols look like fanciful pranks with no actual relation to accessibility.
Well . . . there are two choices. 1) get white spray paint and outline multiple bodies around the offending areas . . . or, 2) either "CRIME SCENE" or "CAUTION" tape wrapped across railings. Either one will get noticed, possibly to the extent of news coverage and/or corrective measures. Worth a try . . .
Every single one pretty much looks ... auld These were clearly experimental designs, but many were based on the idea of being accompanied by a parent or assistant. Without chauffers, a lot of wealthy people would have been out of luck entirely. Times have changed but time clearly hasn't changed some things.
This is insane! Whoever has designed any of these deathtraps should be forced to use them... in a wheelchair.
What is totally frightening,is that human beings installed these ramps.
No terribles designs....Disrespectful designs for every human with or without disabilities.
