Holistic Accessibility
Zoning Practice — August 2025
By Jill Bahm, AICP, Rose Kim
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Physical accessibility is a fundamental part of building truly inclusive communities, but planners often think the minimum standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) suffice. Instead, it requires a broader, more thoughtful, and holistic approach that anticipates and supports the diverse needs of all community members, at every stage of life, recognizing that our abilities and design needs can change dramatically throughout our lives.
Many communities include the minimum ADA standards for parking spaces in their zoning ordinances and then rely on building codes and engineering standards for other ADA minimums, such as ramp placement and specifications, sidewalks, and signage. Meanwhile, relatively few use zoning to promote universal design or other more holistic concepts of accessibility.
This issue of Zoning Practice explores how zoning and other local development regulations can promote accessible places, spaces, and homes. It begins with an explanation of the importance of accessibility for all communities and a brief overview of common accessibility frameworks before highlighting specific regulatory strategies and inspirational international efforts.
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About the Authors
Jill Bahm, AICP
<p>Jill Bahm, AICP is a partner overseeing the planning group at Giffels Webster, a multi-disciplinary land consulting firm. She has a broad planning background that includes work in both the public and private sector. She earned a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications/English from the University of Michigan. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners, and a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and Michigan Association of Planning (MAP). Jill currently serves on the board of directors for MAP. Jill's experience as a city planner and DDA executive director, combined with her commercial real estate experience, marketing and promotional skills, allows her the opportunity to assist clients with a variety of projects. Jill is frequently asked to develop and facilitate educational workshops at the local, regional, and state level. She has worked with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) on the creation of workshops aimed at helping communities improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the development review process.</p>
Rose Kim