McGill Rd, Kamloops, BC V2C 6N2 50.668724, -120.364161 850
The only universal design comes from the basement levels of each building; the rest of the stories are then inaccessible due to steep cement stairs. Creating a divide between people with disabilities and those without.
Within the basement suites, you can find hallways that can easily fit a wheelchair, and each building has an accessibility dormitory. Within these rooms, McGill would attach metal bars to the front doors to make them more accessible to open for someone in a wheelchair. These rooms also include a large open shower, two stalls, and multiple metal bars to support the person to move around. Unfortunately, this is where the accessibility stops, and the rest of the architecture limits people with disabilities.
One main issue is the parking lot, which features multiple speed bumps that can be tedious to deal with if you have a mobility aid. Most of the community building is also separated by stairs, such as the laundry room. You have to speak with the front desk to allow you through the back door downstairs, which can lead to stressful interactions and possible ableism.
Even with McGill’s attempt at making a universal design, they fall through at every other aspect of living quality that doesn’t pertain to the basement suites.
