At Social Good Place (SGP), we are committed to creating a welcoming environment where people can connect, collaborate, and contribute. We believe that community spaces must not only be welcoming, but also accessible to all members of the community, and we take seriously our responsibility to make our space as navigable and open as possible.

We also believe in radical transparency. Because Social Good Place is a historic building, we face significant physical limitations that prevent us from offering full physical accessibility. We want to be clear about where we stand and what we are doing to improve, and invite you to support us in managing these challenges.

In this document:

• • Current physical limitations
  • Plans for improvement
  • The challenge of smaller upgrades instead of a refit
  • Alternatives
  • Feedback mechanisms
  • Sensory, cognitive, and neurodivergent considerations
  • Area-by-area access descriptions

Current Physical Limitations

At this time, no spaces within the Social Good Place building are fully accessible to individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids, and accessing the building requires navigating stairs. In 2026, a stair lift will be installed. More information about the planned lift appears later in this document. 

Body Size & Spatial Access

Physical accessibility also includes people in larger bodies. Due to the constraints of our building, some spaces and seating may be difficult to access or use comfortably. 

We recognize that these limitations exclude many people from participating in events happening in our building, and in the community itself that is developing here. This reality is deeply at odds with our values. If accessibility had been the primary determining factor in selecting our location, we would have chosen differently. This is not an excuse, but an acknowledgment of the constraints of our building. 

We are committed to doing our best with what we have to work with.

Our Commitment to Improvement

The financial investment needed for a full retrofit of the building is not currently feasible.

We have consulted accessibility experts to better understand both our challenges and potential solutions. Their assessment indicates that a full best-practices retrofit—including elevators or a spiraling chairlift, widened doorways, and ramps—would cost several million dollars. This is far beyond our current financial capacity.

The Challenge of Smaller Upgrades Instead of a Refit
Though we will continue to consider partial improvements, we’ve learned that many “small” upgrades in a historic building are more complex than they appear. Changes like widening doorways, altering restrooms, or adding ramps often trigger broader structural, permitting, or code requirements that significantly increase cost and complexity. In some cases, partial upgrades can also create new barriers or safety issues if not done comprehensively.

That said, we are taking concrete actions toward incremental improvement to physical accessibility:

Stair Lift Installation
We have purchased a stair lift for the 45th Street entrance and are currently navigating permitting and installation. This will provide access from street level to the Main Floor landing, enabling flat access to the Gathering Hall, Kitchen, and Main Floor restroom. Please note: the lift is designed for individuals only and cannot accommodate mobility devices. The weight limit of this lift is 300 pounds.

Restroom Safety Improvements
We will install grab bars in the Main Level restroom to support individuals with limited mobility. The space will remain too small for standard wheelchair access.

Ongoing Research
We continue to explore lower-cost, creative solutions, guided by expert input and community feedback.

Accommodations & Alternatives

We recognize that physical access is not the only way to participate. If our building does not meet your needs, we are committed to working with you to find alternatives:

• Virtual Participation: Select events may be available via livestream or recording.
• Custom Solutions: We welcome direct outreach to explore possible accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
• Alternative Locations: We will help identify nearby venues that better meet accessibility needs.

Feedback Mechanism

We value lived experience and professional expertise, and we are committed to listening and learning.

If you have encountered barriers at Social Good Place, or have suggestions for improvement, we hope you will feel comfortable in sharing your feedback. Your input directly informs our priorities.

Email: hello@socialgoodplace.org  Your feedback will be escalated to our leadership team.
Feedback Form: Submit your feedback here. [https://airtable.com/appLbzlL4AHEs63Ue/pag9FJ1NVHWfp6cij/form]

We are grateful for your patience and partnership as we navigate these challenges. Our goal remains to foster a collaborative commons where everyone feels a sense of belonging, even as we work within the constraints of our physical space.

Sensory, Cognitive, and Neurodivergent Considerations

Accessibility extends beyond physical infrastructure. We are committed to supporting a range of sensory, cognitive, and neurodivergent needs.

Sensory & Neurodivergent Support
We offer a dedicated Meditation Room and sound-dampened Phone Booths for low-stimulation breaks and to help maintain a noise-sensitive environment for all. We also maintain a low-to-no fragrance policy (no perfumes, scented products, or air fresheners) and enforce shared-space noise etiquette.

Low Vision & Visual Accessibility
We are working to improve wayfinding and safety signage with high-contrast colors and clear fonts. Our website and member portal will be reviewed for compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies in an upcoming upgrade. 

Cognitive Accessibility
We prioritize plain language in manuals and event descriptions. Our community norms emphasize clear communication and respect for personal boundaries, allowing individuals to engage at their own pace and in their own way. 

Detailed Level-by-Level Access

Parking Lot
The parking lot across from our building on 45th Ave is ours. It has two ramped entries and is relatively level. Events may be held in our parking lot only, with the addition of rented accessible porta potties. 

Building Entrances
All entrances, including the primary entrance on SE 45th Street, involve stairs. There is no level entry to the Main Floor, Second Floor, or Basement.

Restrooms
Single-user restrooms on the Main Floor, Second Floor, and Basements are not large enough to accommodate a standard wheelchair turning radius. Fixtures are not currently adapted for assisted transfer.

First Basement
Access requires descending 6 steps from the exterior entrance. This level includes the Workshop, Makers’ Studio, Exercise Room and Sauna, as well as space that is currently leased to a third party.

Second Basement
Access requires descending 6 steps from the 45th street entrance. Once inside, the floor is level. This level includes the Collaboratory, Basement Flex Space, additional work space, and two restrooms. Doorways measure between approximately 26-26 inches wide.

Main Floor
From the Main Floor landing (where the stair lift will terminate), there is flat access to the Gathering Hall, Kitchen, and Main Floor restroom.

• One step up and an uneven threshold lead to the Auditorium entrance.
• Entering the Auditorium from exterior entrances requires climbing 13 steps.
• One step down leads from the Auditorium to the Green Room.
• The hallway connecting the Green Room and restroom is 36” wide, with an alternate route requiring two steps.

Second Floor
All spaces require climbing 15 steps. There is also one step up to enter the Meditation Room and a small rise into the Phone Booths.