For about a quarter of all Americans, bias pervades the built environment—that’s the number of adults who are considered disabled by national standards – including those with mobility issues, visual and hearing loss and difficulty with independent living.

But with good design, everyone thrives, said Karen Braitmayer, principal at Studio Pacifica and consultant for disability-friendly design. Case in point: her work on the Space Needle and Amazon Spheres.

On July 11, about 60 people heard Braitmayer talk at the Bainbridge library demonstrating some iconic structures of accessible architecture around the world and how the philosophy can be translated to other projects. “My message is: you have the power here. Be great designers, advocates, even if you’re not an architect. Everyone wants to live a full life,” she said.

Affordable housing nonprofit Housing Resources Bainbridge hosted the talk. HRB has four housing projects underway, ranging from apartments to small single-family homes, and one additional project slated to break ground in 2027. Executive director Phedra Elliot said that Braitmayer’s work challenges designers to think about accessibility and question things like the adequacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act code — “the bare minimum” — and to respect the experience of others.

Braitmayer said the ADA of 1990 established a baseline for accessibility in public spaces and employment for disabled folks. She noted that the ADA was focused on people with mobility issues, not “invisible” disabilities like neurodivergence or hearing loss.

She cited buildings all over the nation that feature things like tactile direction markers for the visually impaired; a school of architecture informed by deaf and hard-of-hearing culture; and a particular backyard pool with an elegant and subtle wheelchair ramp.

“That’s what I strive for: beautiful accessibility,” Braitmayer said. “Sensitively designed architecture can make everyone’s experiences richer.”

Braitmayer pointed out that those with disabilities are not the only people for whom accessible architecture can be a benefit: for example, people pushing strollers, pulling suitcases, riding scooters or skateboards all benefit from ramps. Schools, too, are a crucial place to incorporate accessible design, she added; a sentiment echoed by an attendee with hearing sensitivity whose child attends Blakely Elementary School. “Schools are where kids learn about other kids. It’s important to include all kids in those spaces,” Braitmayer said.

A number of public infrastructure elements on Bainbridge – multiple roads, schools, parks and some civic buildings – are simultaneously reaching a critical juncture in their lifespan. Many require updates to accommodate public need, or retrofits to ensure long-term use.

Officials say the city is developing an ADA Transition Plan and expects to include funding for projects in its 2025-2026 budget. A consultant-led assessment began in 2023 and is ongoing, part of which includes engagement with community members who have disabilities.

“Disability Pride serves as a reminder that our society was not designed for people with disabilities; instead it is a culture with policies and practices that continue to marginalize them. Disability Pride further serves to celebrate the resourcefulness and creativity of people with disabilities who survive and thrive despite ableism, bias and discrimination in our society, and leads with the truth that disability should in no way diminish one’s right to independence, self-determination, or engagement with society,” Mayor Joe Deets writes in a declaration naming July as Disability Pride Month.

There are clues in the ADA codes and regulations for how to create better public spaces, Braitmayer said, adding that creative design does not have to come at an outsize cost.

For starters, providing multiple options and choices – such as multiple ways to enter a building or use a restroom – can go a long way, she said. Next, she encouraged designers and architects to learn how to read the text in ADA regulations and codes. Third, she emphasized that design teams listen to the lived experiences of disabled people who may use the building. “Deafspace answered the question: ‘Can a building enhance communication?’ — yes! ‘Can it build confidence and community?’ — yes!” Braitmayer said. “It demonstrates that bringing together designers and people with lived experiences can enhance architecture.”