The good, the ideal, and the accessible home: Perceptions of accessibility norms in domestic environments
Disability activists and researchers often attribute the lack of accessible housing to architects’ poor knowledge of accessibility norms, or to insufficient public support of accessible housing due to ableist and misplaced concerns about construction costs. We know little, however, about individual...
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| Vydáno v: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/alterjdr, |
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| Hlavní autor: | |
| Médium: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Jazyk: | Anglais |
| Vydáno: |
Alter
2022
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| Témata: | |
| On-line přístup: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Shrnutí: | Disability activists and researchers often attribute the lack of accessible housing to architects’ poor knowledge of accessibility norms, or to insufficient public support of accessible housing due to ableist and misplaced concerns about construction costs. We know little, however, about individual experiences with accessible housing, which could provide complimentary explanations for low levels of public support. I conducted walking interviews with 15 able-bodied homeowners and renters of recently built accessible housing in French urban or suburban areas, to understand their experiences and perceptions of accessibility norms in the home. I outline how accessibility norms conflict with: everyday routines sometimes to the extent of limiting activities; and views of what constitutes a good home, aesthetically and functionally. Participants’ experiences vary, but overall interviews suggest accessibility norms as currently implemented are difficult for inhabitants to adapt to. Understanding inhabitants’ perceptions of accessible housing could open up new pathways for increasing public support and improving the implementation of accessibility norms. |
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