Atharv Wairagade - Beach Accessibility

RESEARCH: Improving Mobility Accessibility at the Beach

Discovering through Golden Gardens Accessibility Field Study Research

For this project, our team of four chose a community to observe and research to develop our research skills and potentially add value to the community through our findings. This project was researched three-fold, starting with a Field Study, Interviews, and a Survey.

STARTING CONTEXT

Golden Gardens is one of Seattle’s most popular parks and one of the Northwest’s most beautiful beaches. The 87-acre park in Ballard is situated on Puget Sound, overlooking the Olympic mountains. The park is packed with beachgoers enjoying the sun, sand, and stunning views during the summer months. Kids play in a small stream on the beach, and polls allow volleyball players to set up their nets. Beachcombers flock to Golden Gardens to explore the low tides, and naturalists are often on hand to point out crabs, sea urchins and sea lettuce. Past sources show Beaches have many opportunities for redesign to be accessible to those with Disabilities & Interview Studies further emphasize this.

Our user research study is to understand what problems individuals with mobility impairments face when navigating the beach. By understanding how mobility impaired individuals go about navigating the beach and the most significant pain points that occur, we can potentially recommend designs that will improve the overall experience at the beach for our target users.

Context: HCDE 313 Introduction to User Research

Role: Researcher - Team of

Duration: 3 months

Tools/Skills: Field Study, Interviewing, Survey Implementation

GOAL & DESIGN QUESTION

What is the purpose of the study?
Understand what problems those with mobility impairments face when navigating the beach. Many areas were not designed for those with mobility impairments (further emphasized during the interview phase). Motivated to piece out design changes.

How does this study build on-field and interview research?
Surveys serve to further confirm our findings from the interviews as well as gain some additional insights from our target audience.

What were the high-level questions to be answered?
To what extent do participants plan their trip before going to the beach using online/offline resources?
What beach features/amenities do participants value most?

Original Design Research Question: How might we improve the accessibility of navigating Seattle beaches for those using alternative modes of transportation (excluding walking and motor vehicles)?

FIELD STUDY METHODS

The overall approach for our fieldwork involved preparing our research proposal in which we included all details about how we would divide the work, what kind of research questions we need to find data on, what our areas of focus are going to be, when each member will conduct their field observations, and how we can divide the beach into four parts for each of us to observe. Our target audience included: adults using different kinds of transportation methods such as strollers, skateboards, bikes, and scooters. Walkers, runners, and mobility-impaired participants were also closely observed. For the purpose of the research questions, we observed how the target audience interacted with the infrastructure on the beach.

Overall Field Study Design Question:

How can we improve accessibility issues at Golden Gardens for those using different modes of transportation?

Field Research Questions: (who, what, when, where, why)

1. Who is usually on the walkway/accessway on the beach?

2. When is the access point the busiest?

3. How are the access points being used by different people?

4. What is the allocation of participants like on the walkway (primarily people on the right, left, etc.), and why?

5. What are the different transportation methods individuals use to access the beach and when they are on the beach?

6. What type of transportation methods are individuals using at the access points to the beach?

7. How are people currently navigating the beach?

We wanted to get an overview of the whole beach during our field observations.

Participants (specific):

# Family with infants (Strollers)

# Mobility Impaired Individuals

# Different Transportation Methods (Roller Skates, Bikes, etc)

Areas of Focus: Built Environment: What are the current accessibility features implemented? Demographics: Which groups are in need of accessibility accommodations at the beach? Traffic: How does the number of people in need of accessibility accommodations impact use? Overall Experience: What is the current experience like for those in need of more accessibility?

Tools and Tech: What current accessibility implementations are in use?

Information and Communication Access: What signs and visual aids are available to guide those in need of more accessibility?

Possessions: What are people carrying with them or what transportation are they using?

Site selection: Golden Gardens Beach & why those sites

We decided to focus on Golden Gardens because studies have shown that many beaches (including Golden Gardens) have unsafe and inaccessible conditions for those with mobility impairments.

Results: Through analyzing our field results, we found trends and patterns in the accessibility and navigation of Golden Gardens. Our main findings included: limited accessibility for those travelling on or with wheels, lack of navigational signs, and inconsistent use of walkways.

# Limited Accessibility for Mobility Impaired Individuals.

# Inconsistent Use of the Walkways.

# Lack of Navigational Signs for Transportation Apart from Cars.

# Stroller Use Can Be Challenging at The Beach.

Prioritization: Limited accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals was prioritized first because it brings up the most significant pain point our design question is trying to answer on improving accessibility at the beach. Suppose we want to encourage those with accessibility issues to come and enjoy their time at the beach. In that case, we must be able to improve the amount of accessibility for those individuals. The second is the inconsistent use of the walkways because each team member observed some conjunction or crowdedness on the walkways, which can also cause accessibility issues later down the road. The third prioritization was improving navigational signs on the beach because of the confusion many of our team members observed. The navigational signs are lower in the prioritization because the beach has a few of them already and fits more for our secondary user pain point. The last one is fixing the stroller use among families. The final reason is that this can be indirectly fixed with the limited accessibility pain point and isn't directly on our goal of improving accessibility issues on the beach.

Recommendations: The first recommendation is to lay beach mats that run from concrete walkways down towards the water and along the sand. Our results show that many people prefer to bring their belongings with them onto the sand, however, wheels are not able to tread well on the sand well. This time and cost-effective recommendation aim to provide more convenience and accessibility for all individuals travelling with or on wheels. Beach mats are made out of rubber, making them portable and non-slip, and are similar in width to concrete walkways (see Figure 3). Beach mats offer the opportunity of trial and error to discover the best placement for those travelling with or on wheels and for all other visitors.

Another recommendation is to provide all-terrain wheelchairs to rent or borrow for individuals in wheelchairs or who are mobility impaired to increase the accessibility to the sand and water. All-terrain wheelchairs feature larger and wider inflated wheels that are able to travel on sand (see Figure 4). This recommendation aims to provide individuals in wheelchairs with more mobility and the freedom to travel on the sand and get close to the water. Currently, walkways only run along the edge of the sand, meaning those in wheelchairs are primarily confined to concrete areas.

Field Research Analysis

FIELD STUDY RESULTS - 1

Result 1: Limited Accessibility for Mobility Impaired Individuals

Description: The concrete walkways only run along the edge of the sand, meaning mobility-impaired individuals do not have ease of access to the sand or water, which is where the majority of individuals go at the beach. In addition, concrete walkways are narrow and do not travel along the entire length of the beach, only from the east parking lot to the restrooms.

Evidence: During our observations, all individuals in wheelchairs were only observed on the concrete walkways. Walkways are surrounded by grass on one side and sand on the other side, both of which are inconvenient and difficult to travel on.

FIELD STUDY RESULTS - 2

Result 2: Inconsistent Use of Walkways

Description: Many individuals faced challenges when using the walkways on Golden Gardens beach, from the structure of the walkways themselves to the way different people were using them. One takeaway was how individuals used the walkways inefficiently by consistently blocking the way for others.

Evidence: During our observations, individuals blocked the walkways and caused people to either walk on the sides to avoid them or stop altogether.

FIELD STUDY RESULTS - 3

Result 3: Lack of navigational signs for transportation (apart from car signs)

Description: Golden Gardens had enough signs to help car and motorcycle drivers navigate their way through the parking lot along the length of the beach, however, the same was not true for any other form of transportation.

Evidence: During our observations, there were no instances of navigational signs for cyclists to navigate their way through the beach, either on the walkway itself or through the parking lot roadway.

FROM FIELD STUDY TO INTERVIEW

Key results that we wanted to explore further in the interviewing process:

# Limited Accessibility for Mobility Impaired Individuals

# Stroller Use Can Be Challenging at The Beach

Refined Design Question: How might we improve the accessibility of navigating Seattle beaches for those using alternative modes of transportation (excluding walking and motor vehicles)?

Our Interview Research Questions:

1. How do those with mobility impairments feel about the current infrastructures Seattle beaches provide for them?

2. What are current navigational practices people with mobility impairments use on the beach?

3. Are there specific amenities or features desired by beach visitors?

4. How are navigational resources used by beach visitors?

5. How does social context affect one’s visit to the beach?

INTERVIEW STUDY METHODS

Our research began with conducting field studies within Golden Gardens beach and from the results, we realized that there was very limited accessibility for mobility impaired individuals. We wanted to explore this further in the interviewing process. The goal of the interviews is to further understand what challenges mobility impaired individuals have when navigating the beach.

We interviewed 12 participants from which, about half were mobility impaired and the remaining were a mixture of stroller users and bikers. We conducted interviews over zoom calls and phone calls that lasted from 20-45 minutes.

Participants, Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria & Why

Inclusion: Mobility impaired individuals, individuals travelling on or with wheels

Exclusion: People driving cars or walking, children

Recruitment Strategy & Why

Posting in as many places as possible to try to generate enough participants

Facebook interest groups, Slack, Reddit, UW RSOs, convenience sampling (word of mouth)

Describe Interview Participants and Interviews Conducted

12 total interviews, 20-45 minutes long over Zoom and phone call

7 mobility impaired individuals, 1 parent with a stroller, 4 cyclists

Key Interview Questions

Can you tell us about a time you had a negative experience with accessibility at the beach?

In what ways do you think the beach should be more accessible?

INTERVIEW STUDY RESULTS - 1

Result 1: Lack of Accessibility Accommodations at the Beach Excludes Certain Communities from the Beach Altogether

Description: Navigation of Seattle beaches proved to be impossible or extremely challenging for those with mobility impairments or travelling on or with wheels due to a lack of mobility accommodations

Evidence: “We don’t get to directly experience all the benefits and purposes of the beach, because they are literally not accessible to us.”

INTERVIEW STUDY RESULTS - 2

Result 2: Insufficient Transparent Accessibility Information Online for Trip Planning

Description: Online resources often do not state specific accessibility information which makes it difficult for participants to gauge the feasibility of their trip.

Evidence: Participant P8 expressed how sites may say a beach is accessible but ‘do(es) not specify where to park to get to this ramp.’ They resort to ‘look[ing] at pictures because it[the website] is not detailed enough to know what’s going on.’

FROM INTERVIEW STUDY TO SURVEY

Key results that we wanted to explore further in the survey research questions:

# Which amenities, in particular, are the most important for navigating the beach?

# How online resources are effective or ineffective in providing accessibility information?

We wanted to be sure we Confirm, Extended, and Elaborated on our past results in our surveys

SURVEY METHODS

To understand the breadth to which previous findings affect all Seattle Beaches, we utilized Data Visualization to better understand our Results.

Participants, inclusion/exclusion criteria

Inclusion: Mobility impaired individuals, individuals
travelling on or with wheels

Exclusion: People driving cars or walking, children

Recruitment strategy

Survey designed through Google Forms

Posting in as many places as possible to try to generate enough participants

Facebook interest groups, Slack, Reddit, UW RSOs, convenience sampling (word of mouth)

Survey participants

35 respondents (15 passed the screening)

7 bikers, 5 wheelchair users, 2 stroller users

Example interview questions

Identify one area of accessibility that could be better, please explain why.

Do you use any online resources to plan your trip to the beach? If yes, please expand.

SURVEY RESULTS - 1

Result 1: Inclusive and Accessible Design Features desired at Beaches

When asked about their ideal beach in terms of accessibility, we found three common pain points among users.

Creating more space on the beach

# Many users wanted wider walkways, more open areas, separate bike lanes, etc.

Better maintained Restrooms

# Many users expressed the need for a "bigger" and "cleaner" restroom on the beach.

Better ways to access the sand and water

# Many users also suggested a "path to the water" or some sort of paved path.

The implications of these results reaffirm what we learned from our prior research that bathrooms are inaccessible, there is a need for more space, and many users want to enjoy the sand with their peers

RECOMMENDATIONS: Survey Result - 1

Inclusive Design, Better Restrooms, and Use of Beach Mats

Extending on our recommendations from our field research and interview study, we recommend the following upgrades or changes to Washington State Beaches to make them more accessible:

1. Properly design infrastructures (more inclusive design)

Governments can go through the design of the beach with groups who may have disabilities to ensure they are gaining perspectives from those who may be affected by the design

2. Regularly maintained and separated bathrooms for those with disabilities

Create a different set of bathrooms for those with disabilities and make sure the government agencies clean them out daily

3. Beach mats that go out to the water

Put out beach mats (rubber or concrete) that will extend to the water and make sure that is maintained

SURVEY RESULTS - 2

Result 2: Picnic Tables and Walkways tend to be the most inaccessible beach amenities in terms of mobility.

Our survey participants rated picnic tables an average of 2.67/5 and walkways an average of 2.73/5 in terms of accessibility.

# Confirms our field and interview studies that if the primary amenities of the beach are inaccessible, the beach as a whole is inaccessible to certain communities of people.

# "I went to a beach in Shoreline or Edmonds, but could not access it because the trail was long and challenging."

Accessible Ratings of Different Beach Amenities

RECOMMENDATIONS: Survey Result - 2

Create, Maintain, and Designate more Mobility Accessible Beach Amenities

# Accessible picnic tables reserved for people with disabilities.

# Designated lookout and rest stop made out of concrete for people on/with wheels to enjoy the view without traversing through rough terrain.

# Wider concrete walkways that accommodate more people.

# Clear signage that warns motorcyclists and cars without disabled parking permits to not park in access lanes and disabled parking spots

# Providing ramps wherever there's a staircase and making sure the ramps are not too steep to use.

SURVEY RESULTS - 3

Result 3: Factors that affect motivation to visit the beach differ between modes of transportation.

1. Wheelchair users consider accessibility as the most important factor.

2. Bikers consider the weather, distance to the beach, and mode of transport before accessibility.

3. Overall, the most voted weather, accessibility, and distance to the beach.

This relates to our findings from interviews and field studies that wheelchair users, in general, consider and rely on accessibility before coming to a beach. (all five users chose that option)

It also confirms our field research and interview findings that bikers have to weave through pedestrian traffic on the paved pathway due to the lack of separate bike paths.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Survey Result - 3

Improve Mobility Accessibility

# Wide bike lanes to ride on without pedestrians getting in the way.

# Cement areas, wide spaces, gradual ramps - all maintained regularly.

# Create more parking spaces - bike racks and disabled parking.

# "An ideal beach would include sidewalks and ramps that are big enough to be considered safe. It would also include a bike lane. The sidewalks should ideally cover the length of the entire beach as well"

SURVEY RESULTS - 4

Result 4: Accessible Online Information

Google Maps and the Weather app are both highly used applications when users plan their trips or attempt to look into beach locations they are interested in.

Google Search is also a popular resource as well when doing online research to attend a beach

Data Caveats:

This comes from data of those who passed the screening question stage

Many people did not list online resources. 5/14 participants wrote 'N/A'

RECOMMENDATIONS: Survey Result - 4

Transparent and Accessible Online Information

Have more detailed transparent information about mobility accessibility including:

# Entry-exit points

# Parking for bikes and disabled parking lots

# Condition of paved pathways, with images

# Maps to show the extent of paved pathways across the beach

# Ramps - locations, grade, and condition

This information easy to find from google searches or yelp or park app/website, maybe even google maps

DESIGN RECOMMANDATIONS

Design Research Question: How might we improve the accessibility of navigating Seattle beaches for those using alternative modes of transportation

(excluding walking and motor vehicles)?

Top 3 recommendations and prioritizations: Community Design Prioritization

1. Increase access to the waterfront (i.e. paved path to the water, beach mats)

2. Have separate lanes for pedestrians and those going faster on paved paths

3. Provide clear navigation and accessibility information online

Prioritization Rationale:

→ Focus on community designing where government agencies design with the users to ensure walkways and access to the sand meet their users' needs.

→ Pathways and paved routes to the water were prevalent in all three research methods resulting in top priority for the redesign.

→ Trip planning is the initial step before deciding to visit a specific beach, and our results called for a need for more information to be available online.

Beach Mats

Seattle Website

REFLECTION

What do you need to do differently in your next survey research study?

To be mindful of where we share about our study and recruit participants.

What was hard and surprised you about your survey research study?

It was hard to analyze and find trends Surprised by the amount of thought we had to put into thinking about the wording of our survey questions.

What was fun about your survey research study?

There are many ideas out there existing to enhance beach accessibility in terms of mobility in other states; thinking about potentially having them in WA is exciting.

NEXT STEPS

CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY

To deeper understand the experience of those who are mobility impaired at the Beach, we believe it would be helpful to shadow our target audience to deeply analyze their behaviour as they navigate around the Beach.

COMMUNICATING W/ SEATTLE GOVT

With more research and data collection, the project's end goal is to be able to send a proposal to the Seattle Government voicing our concerns over the need for more mobility accessible amenities at Seattle Beaches and potentially Parks.