A collective profile: Meaning in the built environment among designers, managers and users with a mobility disability

A qualitative research approach was employed to develop a collective profile of current attitudes about and preferences for the design of interior spaces. 18 case studies comprised of two groups of participants: users with a mobility disability and designers/facility managers of the built environment were analyzed. The findings revealed the depth of the schism between users who have a mobility disability and designers and managers of the built environment, and illuminated the nature of discrimination and social stratification that is perpetuated in our designed environments. Results of the analysis showed that users with a mobility disability focused almost exclusively on accessible attributes of interior spaces in contrast to designers and managers who focused on sensory stimulation and meaning. The implications of this study provide a foundation for increasing awareness of the diverse needs of all users and question our reliance on the Americans with Disabilities Act as a measure for accessibility and inclusionary spaces.