Where did the universal access paradigm come from?
Universal access is a synthesis of universal design, good traffic engineering practices, and constitutional law. The right to travel is one of the most highly valued rights in the civilized world and is protected under US and state constitutions. Access to employment, goods, and services is essential for survival in modern society, and must be protected for all persons using public ways. At various stages of life and fortune almost half of the US population does not or cannot own or operate automobiles, or may need wheelchairs to travel as pedestrians. Ethical traffic engineering practices and legislation including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and the Americans with Disabilities Act demand reasonable accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians (including wheelchair users) in the design and regulation of public ways. Universal access is the explicit condition that this connectivity be preserved to every destination served by the publicly owned transportation system
