Universal Design Challenge

Universal Design...

... is difficult to retrofit. I chose to live in my current apartment, shown here with walk-up stoop, because I admire the historic brownstone and greystone architecture of the area of Harlem where I now reside. Well, that, and the affordable rent and convenience to the nearby train station. I did not have in mind Universal Design when choosing said apartment, but for as long as I have lived in New York thus far, I have not lived in one that would could be called UD. As you can see in the photo above, the stairs are not universally friendly, and neither are the heavy old double doors. There are more stairs once you enter to my second floor walk-up. The building has no elevator, no ramp, and the doors require two hands to enter the heavy doors which must be held open as you enter; they do not stay open of their own accord.
      When it comes to principles of UD, I think of new buildings with ramps and elevators which are accessible to all. I think of doors that are wide and have buttons or sensors for automatic entrance. I think of clean, contemporary buildings designed to accommodate large numbers of people, with various physical differences and capabilities. Often, the buildings which come to mind are hospitals, libraries, and contemporary museums. In certain instances, I see public transportation stations and vehicles which are accommodating with ramps, pneumatic lifts, automatic doors, and elevators. The limitations, however, I see everywhere. Stairs, stairs, stairs. Tight areas. High-reaching sinks, cabinets, and shelves. Heavy doors. The list goes on. Especially, when it comes to older, historic buildings. I tend to like and appreciate the aesthetic of old brick and mortar buildings, brownstones, and the like. But had I any physical limitation or disability, would I still feel the same way? Or would these restrictive beauties built of oppressive ornamentation produce anxiety upon approach? Perhaps I would strongly prefer the contemporary, clean, modern design of (most) buildings and areas built in respect to Universal Design. It is a thing for me to consider for the next time I find a place to live or work... how would I, or a friend or relative or acquaintance, physically navigate this setting? Can changes be made if it is not navigable in some way? And I must consider how I can be more aware of the importance of universal accessibility.