How can accessibility for people with disabilities be ensured in infrastructure design?

The goal is to find a technological solution that can help make public and private infrastructures more accessible for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. Bangladesh faces a stark accessibility challenge for people with disabilities, as highlighted by a recent survey from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics indicating a 20% disability prevalence. Ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities in infrastructure design is a crucial challenge that needs addressing. Many buildings and public spaces are not designed with the needs of disabled individuals in mind, making it difficult for them to navigate and use these spaces independently. This includes challenges like the absence of ramps for wheelchair users, lack of braille signs for the visually impaired, and insufficient auditory signals for the hearing impaired. Such a solution should aim to integrate accessibility features right from the planning and design stages of infrastructure projects. This could involve using software that simulates the experience of navigating spaces with various disabilities, helping designers identify and address potential barriers. Additionally, technology could be employed to retrofit existing buildings with smart, adaptive features like automatic doors, voice-activated elevators, or navigation apps that provide real-time assistance to people with disabilities. In summary, the challenge is to leverage technology to ensure that infrastructure design is inclusive, allowing people with disabilities to move freely and safely in all spaces. This not only improves their quality of life but also promotes equality and inclusiveness in society.