Historically, our society has demonstrated tendencies of exclusion towards those who misfit the norms. While there may be innumerable factors that come into play in these scenarios, such tendencies of marginalization seem to hold a strong connection to aspects of the built environment. As one of the many standardized systems in our world, design and architecture follow guidelines that commonly comply with a ‘one size fits all’ approach, catering toa mainstream majority while disregarding individuals who misfit such standards. Such scenario of design disablement is commonly true for users of assistive technology, whose scope of devices are rarely considered within traditional design practices. Although such
technologies may be partially accounted for through codes and regulations regarding wheelchair access, the usability of other forms of mobility assistance - such as walkers, crutches, canes, scooters and adaptive limbs - remain absent in such guidelines. With architectural practices focusing on the needs of non-disabled bodies, the needs of mobility aid users seem to go unrecognized, leading to disadvantageous spatial conditions that restrict their capabilities. Taking that perspective into consideration, it’s possible to say that the ambulation restraints of individuals who rely on mobility aids is less about their physical capabilities and more about architecture’s lack of receptiveness towards their reliance on the
use of assistive devices. Bringing to light the complexities between the built environment and the use of mobility devices, this investigation seeks to recognize the joint influence between the demands imposed by spatial design and the ranging capacities of those who may use it. Although other minorities may also face barriers of flawed design, the primary concern to be addressed within this framework is the capability limitations imposed specifically on individuals who face reduced mobility and rely on assistive ambulation devices.

The building regulations that shape today’s standards of modern architecture have a remarkable historic background that may often be overlooked. What some young architects may perceive as guidelines that are constraining to the design process, are in fact the result of decades of activism for a more inclusive built environment. While architecture may not be often associated with the political realm, its crucial role in the fight for disability rights is undeniable. Following the chronology of the Disability Rights Movement, this thesis explores the key political, architectural, and academic events that played a part in the journey towards the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. In exploring and reiterating their direct correlation, this analysis will focus on understanding the architectural response to the Disability Rights Movement and its resulting impact in the American school system.