New Building Design & Accessibility

?I recently visited the new Microsoft Toronto offices for the first time (I’m sure many of you have seen the pictures of the amazing view from the 44th floor). This was going to be a different visit though as I had the privilege of taking a tour as one of the Canadian Accessibility V-Team and met some of the incredible architecture, building and project team responsible for our fantastic new offices.

?I needed to think about my visit in a different way, from an accessibility viewpoint. Someone that could have a temporary, situational or permanent disability. That started as I walked down the street to the building entrance.

?I won’t go into great depth about everything I encountered during the day but will share the following highlights.

?Microsoft have exceeded building code in many areas when it comes to providing accessibility functionality and inclusivity and honestly hadn’t appreciated how much work goes into providing an accessible workspace in the current age.

• ?The “where am I” interactive screens pull down to be more accessible to wheelchair users
• The screens have quick buttons to find exits, fire extinguishers, coffee facilities (very important) and defibrillators
• While the individual office identifiers are in braille, the office numbers are raised to allow the visually impaired to identify them. The room information is also on the inside of each office
• Different textiles have been used to identify the boundary between one area and another
• Doors have been widened as standard to be more wheelchair accessible
• Special consideration was made to the materials used to reduce echo and dissipate noise. From wood panels to wall coverings to felt desk surrounds. As an audio geek, this was of special interest and know how overwhelming noise can be
• As you would expect, the chairs are ergonomic, but every desk is a sit/stand along with a fantastic ultra-widescreen monitor to provide the best experience possible in the hot desk areas

?There were a huge number of other considerations for accessibility when designing the building, some that are obvious and many that aren’t. I did find myself thinking “I never realised that” an awful lot, taking so much for granted.

?Is it all perfect, no. Are there challenges that only come from using the building, of course, but Microsoft and the building management team are already making changes and will continue to be reviewed and updated.

?I thoroughly enjoyed my first office visit and certainly have a new appreciation for office accessibility.

If you are curious about accessibility, click on the following link or reach out to me for a chat. Accessibility Technology & Tools | Microsoft Accessibility