Fill in the Blanks SB Ana & Eval 2 SA AOnline version SB Ana & Eval 2 SA A by Stephanie Turner 1 objective decade guidance [ 2 ] Those ramps , called curb cuts , are now very common . However , sidewalks and public spaces were not always accessible to people with disabilities . During the when veterans returned from World War II , many came home needing wheelchairs . They were unable to enter colleges , banks , or businesses because of stairs or high curbs . [ 4 ] Further propulsion of the movement came from the design world . Ronald Mace , an architect and designer , provided through a set pf principles known as universal design . These ideas are used to make public spaces easily accessible for everyone . [ 5 ] Accessible public spaces have only become possible through federal laws , changes in street design , and the hard work of activists . The original of the activists was to help one group of individuals . However , curb cuts ended up making life safer and smoother for all people !