Color Blindness Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about color vision deficiency (CVD) and its impact on daily life. Around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women worldwide experience some form of color blindness, making it crucial for public spaces to consider their needs in urban planning and design.

As we step into fall, we honor an invaluable part of our community—service dogs. National Service Dog Month recognizes these highly trained animals that assist individuals with disabilities, promoting independence and enriching lives in ways we often take for granted.

In the realm of public safety, every detail matters. From bustling city sidewalks to expansive transportation hubs, ensuring the safety and accessibility of public spaces is incredibly important. 

In an increasingly fast-paced digital world, accessibility has taken on a new dimension. No longer confined to physical spaces, accessibility has expanded its reach into the virtual realm thanks to remarkable advancements in technology and design. 

Retail stores face the unique challenge of serving the public, which means being obligated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While most retailers carefully follow the ADA suggestions and regulations, a couple of things can slip through the cracks and cause lawsuits.

Stores that comply with the ADA often see other benefits. For example, a display with large print to accommodate individuals with low vision will be more eye-catching for every shopper. Audio announcements can also benefit everyone.

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides a guideline for how companies and public spaces can be made accessible for individuals with disabilities. While most of the standards focus on building design and public area accessibility, the ADA offers information on the best practices for ADA compliant flooring. When planning your flooring project, consider the specifications for floor and ground, including surface characteristics and carpeting.

Vision loss can happen for a variety of reasons, causing the types of visual impairments to cover a wide spectrum. As a rule, visual impairment cannot be fixed simply by glasses or contact lenses. There are stages of vision loss. What we call blindness is when a visual impairment results in total or near-total vision loss.