Accessibility
  
II. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
G. Social, cultural and institutional aspects of universal design
Prof. James Harrison described universal accessibility in the context of environments,
systems and services, which can be fully used by as many people as possible regardless of
ability. In that sense, universal accessibility is an integral part of Universal Design.
Inclusive environments and accessible design benefit everyone. Exclusionary
environments are handicapping.
Barriers are part of any built environment and may be placed for safety, security and
guidance functions. Barriers with a legitimate purpose may at the same time be
handicapping to a user with a disability. Non-handicapping environments need to be
assessed in the light of their equipment, services and management, which will allow them
to be usable by all.
Creation of user-friendly environments requires an understanding of the relationship
between the accessibility features of a building and the abilities and limitations of its
users. Two distinct approaches are required: (a) the use of personal assistive devices by
which users extend their personal abilities (mobility, vision, etc.), and (b) making
buildings more accessible by systematic design to remove barriers and to provide
accessible routes, facilities and user-friendly detailing.
The greatest single physical barrier that persons with disabilities face is a change in
level: a single step or a curb for instance.
Universal accessibility and barrier-free environments require strategic approaches,
holistic plans and full and effective involvement of all parties concerned. Universal
design principles need to be incorporated at the outset as a basic design parameter;
otherwise universal accessibility will require costly remedial action.
Universal accessibility applies all aspects of life: (a) housing, (b) transport, (c)
leisure, (d) education and (e) work place.
Universally accessible horizontal and vertical circulation entails certain basic
guidelines:
- (1) make entrances of buildings the same level as the street;
- (2) never expect wheelchair users of persons with a disability to enter through the rear
of a building;
- (3) identify wheelchair paths to reduce travel distances and make the routes easily
identifiable to everyone;
- (4) do not attempt to replace full staircases with ramp systems, which are space
consuming, costly to maintain and often difficult for persons with disabilities to use;
- (5) consider alternatives to pedestrian overpasses unless these have lifts for wheel
chair users or ambulant-disabled persons; and
- (6) barriers can occur at the interface between public and private property so
appropriate co-ordination is required.
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