Parking lots are often overlooked when considering pedestrian safety, but they are busy areas with constant interaction between vehicles and pedestrians. This interaction can be hazardous, especially for individuals with visual impairments. Ensuring that these environments are safe and accessible for everyone is not just a legal requirement but a moral imperative. Detectable warning surfaces (DWSs) are worthwhile in achieving this goal, providing necessary cues to navigate these spaces safely.

There are detectable warning surfaces everywhere, including the base of every ramp leading to the street and at the corner of every intersection. Even though individuals frequently walk over these surfaces without giving them much thought, they play a crucial role in many people's lives, including those with limited or no vision.

Traversing stairs can be dangerous for individuals, especially those with visual impairments. How would one detect a shift in level without risking their life? Detectable warning tiles, also known as truncated domes, work to inform pedestrians before trekking the stairs. The circular bumps on top of tactile warning surfaces indicate individuals to pause, avoiding tripping or falling.

The purpose of detectable warning tile systems is to protect pedestrians of all abilities from hazards such as vehicular traffic and mass transit. According to the standards released by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), most public spaces are expected and required to equip detectable warning dome tiles.

A workplace benefits from a diverse team because different experiences and backgrounds can provide new ideas, optimized processes, and more inclusivity.

The meaning of ‘diversity’ may vary for different individuals. It’s important to consider the fact that diversity is not confined to race, sexual orientation, and gender.

The meaning of true diversity stretches far beyond these classifications. Still, while planning their diversity strategies, employers tend to overlook people with disabilities. This results in an inaccessible workplace for such individuals.

While walking on the sidewalks, you may have noticed small, colorful bumps where the sidewalk meets the road. What are these bumps? Why are they placed so strategically at the edge of the sidewalk, at crosswalks, and near public transportation? What purpose do they serve? Are they there to increase the grip on the road? Or, do they serve some other purpose? Let’s find out!

First and foremost, detectable warning tiles and surfaces were designed to assist individuals with disabilities to safely navigate public spaces, and then, in 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated the use of detectable warning tiles in public areas throughout the United States.

While the quality and durability of the detectable warning dome tiles are absolutely vital, they are only as good as their installation process. Let’s talk about installation processes.

Installation is when two or more materials are adhered together to form a strong bond. In this case, we have the detectable warning dome tiles that will be bonded to the substrate, the underlying substance or layer, with an adhesive. All the materials might be of the highest quality, but if the installation process is poor, then the integrity of the other materials will be compromised.

It’s generally well accepted that biking is better for the environment since it produces no pollution and consumes no fossil fuels. However, many people choose not to bike, citing safety as a top concern. Bike lanes provide a solution for safety-minded bikers, creating an opportunity for more biking with added safety and specific routes.

An accessible world is crucial for people of all abilities to work, live, and play. However, even in the most progressive cities, people with disabilities struggle to live their lives, which only gets worse in the suburbs and rural areas.

With an estimated one billion people to become urban-dwellers by 2050, many cities recognize the need to shift to more accessibility. Beyond the physical difficulty of navigating city and suburban obstacles, many individuals with disabilities must deal with a level of fear as they try to move through a world that is more or less inaccessible.