Mayor de Blasio Announces the Publication of "Inclusive Design Guidelines, New York City, Second Edition" to Increase Accessiblity for New Yorkers with Disabilities

July 5, 2017

These guidelines, above and beyond mandatory building codes, will help architects provide more accessible features to the 11.2% of New Yorkers that have identified as having a disability

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Second Edition of the Inclusive Design Guidelines, New York City. The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities wrote the first edition in 2010 to assist designers to produce environments inclusive to all.  The IDG consolidates design guidelines from multiple sources and expands on the minimal requirements to produce multisensory enhanced environments that accommodate a wide range of individuals with physical and cognitive abilities of all ages. 

“New York City is a place of inclusion where every single person who resides here should be able to navigate daily life without accessibility being a concern,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are excited to launch this 2nd edition of inclusive design guidelines as a tool to help make our city even more welcoming, convenient, and enjoyable for ALL New Yorkers.”

“The IDG is proving to be an important tool for designers to create welcoming, Comfortable and usable environments,” said Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities Commissioner Victor Calise. “Locally, the IDG is helping to make New York City the most accessible city in the world.”

“In order to be a City for all people, we must be a City that is accessible to all people – that means ensuring New Yorkers with disabilities can complete everyday tasks like picking children up from school or visiting their local library with greater ease, while also enjoying all of the things that make New York the greatest city in the world,” said Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “I am hopeful that the 2nd edition of the Inclusive Design Guidelines will be a useful framework for the architects and builders who will bring our vision for a truly welcoming and inclusive New York City to life.”

In partnership with the International Code Council, the IDG is available to designers, developers, property owners and managers throughout the world.  The First Edition has been distributed in many countries including Italy, Israel, Dubai, and the European Union and many have expressed interest in this new edition.  The IDG is truly making New York City a leader in design of inclusive and innovated environments.

“As a world capital, it is important that New York City also be a place that is environmentally easy to navigate for everyone. Not only does it help those with physical and cognitive abilities, it goes toward showing we are one of the most progressive cities in the world. I salute Mayor de Blasio and his administration for making this update publication available. I hope it goes a long way to putting these ideas into place.” said Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

“Inclusive Design Guidelines helps New York City remain among the most accessible cities in the world. Thanks to IDG, anyone involved with the development, ownership and management of physical property will be aware of issues that face New Yorkers who may have accessibility issues. I thank the administration for releasing the second edition, and I look forward to our continued partnership to make sure New York City is accessible for all,” said Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Chair of the Committee on Housing & Buildings.

"The Second Edition of the Inclusive Design Guidelines is an important next step in making New York City more inclusive for everyone," said Council Member Andrew Cohen, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Disability Services. "I applaud the Mayor for overseeing its publication and for his work in ensuring that everyone is comfortable in this city."

“To have truly democratic civic structures, we must ensure that our physical structures are accessible.  As a City, we’ve made some crucial advances for inclusion in recent years, from requiring the installation of hearing loops be included in our capital investments to hiring an accessibility coordinator at every City agency.  The 2nd Edition of the Inclusive Design Guidelines is another important step, and I applaud this Administration for leading on it.” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Chair of the Committee on Contracts.

“The Inclusive Design Guidelines is the next generation of accessible design as it looks to expand the minimum requirements and utilize emerging technologies to make the build environment inclusive for all,” said United Spinal’s Vice President of Accessibility Services Dominic Marinelli.