Flat Walking Surfaces Toolkit

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The perks of having a business with flat walking surfaces

Having flat walking spaces allows more Ithaca citizens to access your space and enjoy the resources you have to offer. Flat walking surfaces are a more family and mobility-friendly option. Plus, 92% of consumers are more likely to support a business that is physically and digitally accessible to all.

Create a
multi-generational space

Flat walking surfaces and ramps allow people who use wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility aids to have easier access to the space.

Increase your
audience

Easier mobility with flat walking surfaces will help those with visual, autoimmune, and mobility impairments navigate your space.

Give everyone a
shot at success

By removing barriers in the physical environment, you open your customer and employee base to those with varying mobility needs.

Slippery, uneven surfaces and a lack of universally accessible walkways create dangerous conditions that can lead to serious injuries. The fear of falling can lead to anxiety and a less active lifestyle. It is important that all public settings maintain flat, accessible surfaces to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Addressing these issues in our community will help create a world where everyone feels they belong.
-Bob Brazill, Racker

Things to note:

  • Accessible surfaces must be stable, firm and slip-resistant
  • Rough surfaces (like gravel) can make it difficult to navigate with mobility aids
  • Water fountains, coat hooks, low wall sconces and doorknobs, small door offsets, and crowded furniture can also inhibit mobility
  • Having a clear floor space allows all customers to move through the space easily without tripping hazards
  • Grate openings should be smaller than 1/2″ in any direction

Easy alterations:

  • Replace gravel or cobblestone with materials such as asphalt, tile, or wood
  • Add a ramp to areas with stairs, even if there are only a few
  • Cover grate openings or other gaps to ensure mobility aids do not get stuck
  • Sandwich boards, freestanding movable signs, merchandise racks, etc. should be avoided if possible or placed outside the path of travel
View listings with flat walking surfaces

Featured blog post:

Featured Image

Creating welcoming spaces: How flat walking surfaces are good for business

by Katelyn Monoco
Flat walking surfaces are essential when creating a more accessible space for all life stages and abilities. Imagine you’re a new parent who wants to bring your child to the store and they’re just beginning to walk. Or you’re recovering from surgery and need to use crutches/a wheelchair/a scooter. Or you have a mobility aid. Or you’re an elderly person who has a hard time going up stairs....
Read More

Spread the word

Share the benefits of flat walking spaces on social media by sharing the YouTube video, PDF toolkit, or social media images below!

Screenshot of the Ithaca.Community PDF Toolkit for Flat Walking Surfaces
Download Flat Walking Surfaces Toolkit (PDF)
Two men walking along a waterfront trail with a sailboat in the background, one of the men is using a cane. "It is important that all public settings maintain flat, accessible surfaces to ensure a safe environment for everyone. - Bob Brazill, Racker”
Image description: Two men walking along a waterfront trail with a sailboat in the background, one of the men is using a cane. "It is important that all public settings maintain flat, accessible surfaces to ensure a safe environment for everyone. - Bob Brazill, Racker”
Circular graphic with a photo of a young man in a wheelchair going up a ramp outside a building, and the Ithaca.Community logo beneath
Image description: Circular graphic with a photo of a young man in a wheelchair going up a ramp outside a building, and the Ithaca.Community logo beneath
Image description: Young man and young woman wearing a hijab push their baby in a stroller down a park path. "Take time to get out. Let's get moving! Find places to go in Ithaca with flat walking surfaces at https://ithaca.community"
Image description: Young man and young woman wearing a hijab push their baby in a stroller down a park path. "Take time to get out. Let's get moving! Find places to go in Ithaca with flat walking surfaces at https://ithaca.community"
Young woman in business attire goes down a ramp with colleagues "It's time to explore! Find places to go in Ithaca with flat walking surfaces at https://ithaca.community"
Image description: Young woman in business attire goes down a ramp with colleagues "It's time to explore! Find places to go in Ithaca with flat walking surfaces at https://ithaca.community"

Sources

Accessibility by WAH