ADA Compliance Doesn't Always Mean True Accessibility

Advocates say lived experience is key to designing truly accessible spaces.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:24am

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In Beckley, West Virginia, some residents with disabilities say that while buildings and public spaces may meet ADA compliance standards, they still lack true accessibility. Designers follow guidelines laid out in the Americans with Disabilities Act, but advocates argue this doesn't always translate to real-world accommodation. They suggest involving people living with disabilities in the design process to create more accessible spaces.

Why it matters

The disconnect between ADA compliance and actual accessibility highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of disability needs. Ensuring public spaces are truly usable for all is crucial for promoting equal access and inclusion.

The details

Beckley's Intermodal Gateway facility, for example, meets ADA compliance standards with handicap parking and other features. However, the Executive Director of WV Dis(EN)abled, Curtis Yearego, notes that getting from the parking lot to nearby businesses can still be a 'thousand-yard roll' for wheelchair users. Advocates say the issue often comes down to a lack of lived experience informing the design process.

  • The Intermodal Gateway facility in Beckley was recently completed.

The players

Curtis Yearego

Executive Director of WV Dis(EN)abled, an organization advocating for disability rights.

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What they’re saying

“The Intermodal Gateway [has] handicap accessible parking; beautiful parking lot; everything is ADA compliant as it's supposed to be. But in order to get to Prince Street, for example, to the lawyers office, that's a thousand-yard roll.”

— Curtis Yearego, Executive Director

The takeaway

While meeting ADA compliance standards is an important first step, true accessibility requires a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Involving these communities in the design process can help create public spaces that are truly usable for all.