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Accessibility For The Disabled: - A Design Manual For A Barrier Free Environment
Accessibility For The Disabled: - A Design Manual For A Barrier Free Environment
PHOS
Platform Handicap en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
Platform Disability and Development Cooperation
Tivolistraat 45 box 3
1020 Brussels
BELGIUM
Tel.+32-2-421 24 33
anja@phos.be
supported by
Accessibility for the Disabled
About PHOS
Introduction
1. Purpose 4
2. Application 4
3. Target group 4
4. Structure of this publication 4
References 5
Dimensional Data 5
2
About this publication
This publication is prepared for NGO’s and their partners in developing countries
who want to take the needs of disabled people into account. The presented
guidelines for a barrier-free environment can be used for creating accessible
buildings for disabled people in the context of development projects. An
accessible environment is a precondition for disabled people to take part in
education, training or work or to benefit from services which are offered by
NGO’s and their partners. Barrier-free environments are essential for full
participation and equality of disabled people.
If you want to read more about accessibility for disabled people, please consult the website
of PHOS, www.phos.be or http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/. This publication is a
summary of some materials available at the Enable website of the United Nations.
About PHOS
3
Introduction
We are all physically disabled at some time in our lives. A child, a person with a broken leg, a
parent with a pram, an elderly person, etc. are all disabled in one way or another. Those who
remain healthy and able-bodied all their lives are few. As far as the built-up environment is
concerned, it is important that it should be barrier-free and adapted to fulfil the needs of all
people equally. As a matter of fact, the needs of the disabled coincide with the needs of the
majority, and all people are at ease with them. As such, planning for the majority implies
planning for people with varying abilities and disabilities.
1. Purpose
This publication is a design manual on accessibility for the disabled. It is a design guide
made for the purpose of providing architects and designers with the basic information and
data necessary for a barrier-free environment. It is meant to establish standards and
recommendations that will improve your construction projects to meet the needs of all target
groups. The manual is expected to be a stimulus that will lead, in the long run, to the
establishment of national building and planning legislation covering access for disabled
people.
2. Application
The manual does not cover all the requirements of disabled people in detail. It is a
straightforward guide expected to be the first in a series of publications having the same
topic. Most of the recommended measures have been tested and have proven to be
effective. Practical advice from legal, professional and academic institutions as well as
individuals with disabilities is also of the utmost importance in shaping the final form of an
accessibility code.
3. Target group
Other categories may benefit to some extent from the proposed measures.
1) Problem identification
This part defines problems encountered by the disabled in the built-up environment owing to
the absence or improper application of a certain measure or provision.
4
2) Planning principle
This part identifies the target group, the general goal and the need for a certain measure.
3) Design considerations
This part deals with the technical and architectural aspects of implementing certain measures
with regard to general and particular application characteristics, criteria, minimum
dimensions and measurements, materials, etc.
4) Existing constructions
This part identifies the problems encountered in existing constructions which hinder the
implementation of a certain measure. Accordingly, alternative solutions and modifications are
suggested.
References
The information provided is based on the accessibility codes and relevant knowledge
available in various countries. A comparative study of the available sources was conducted
regarding each measure. The information was then synthesized and organized according to
the needs of the target group.
Dimensional Data
Dimensional data are given in metric units. The graphic illustrations show only the minimum
allowable dimensions. Where appropriate, the maximum or approximate dimension or an
allowable range is given. For your information: 1 cm = 0,394 inch and 1 inch = 2,54 cm.
5
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
1. RAMPS
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
6
3.3 Width
3.4 Slope
3.4 Landings
3.5 Handrail
7
of ramps.
3.6 Surface
3.9 Obstacles
8
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
Notes:
9
2. ELEVATORS
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
Fig. 1
To provide well-dimensioned
elevators, that disabled people
can use conveniently.
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
10
The maximum tolerance for
stop precision should be 20 mm.
11
3.8 Audiovisual signals
3.10 Colour
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
12
3. PLATFORM LIFTS (1)
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
13
3.3 Inclined movement platform
lifts
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
14
buildings. In buildings that are or
would be frequently used by
persons with mobility problems,
such devices should not be
utilized.
Notes:
15
4. STAIRS
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Steep staircases.
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
A complementary ramped
route, elevator or lift should be
provided where there are steps in
an otherwise accessible path.
3.2 Width
16
For outdoor stairs, the
maximum riser should be 0.15 m
and the minimum tread should be
0.30 m.
3.5 Handrails
17
3.6 Tactile marking (fig. 2) (fig. 3)
18
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
19
5. RAILINGS AND HANDRAILS
1. PROBLEM
IDENTIFICATION
Unsafe railings.
No railings or handrails.
Fig 1.
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
On stairways, windows
positioned less than 1.00 m from
the landing should have railings.
Fig 4
20
3.2 Height (fig. 1) (1)
3.3 Mounting
21
3.5 Handrails for ramps and
stairs
3.8 Colour
A contrasting colour is
recommended for handrails to
alert people with sight problems.
22
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
Notes:
23
6. ENTRANCES
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
Fig. 2
24
3.2 Signs
Thresholds should be
removed wherever possible (see
Doors).
3.5 Colour
25
sight problems.
4. EXISTING
CONSTRUCTIONS
26
Notes:
27
7. VESTIBULES
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.2 Layout
Fig. 2
The layout of two swinging
doors in a series can be one of
the following:
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
28
(b) Change the direction of the
door swing so that both doors
can be made to swing outwards,
if possible (fig. 5).
Notes:
Fig. 6
29
8. DOORS
1. PROBLEM
IDENTIFICATION
Narrow doorways.
3. DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
30
- Automatic doors should have
an adequate opening interval. -
Guard-rails can be installed
near double-swinging doors to
indicate a door-opening area
and to prevent people from
being hit by the door.
31
rest rooms should be 0.75 m.
Operational devices on
doors, such as handles, pulls,
latches and locks, should be
easy to grasp with one hand
(fig. 8).
Fig. 8
(a) Handles: - Lever-type
handles, push plates or pull
handles are recommended for
swinging doors because they
are easy to open. (1)
32
3.5 Automatic doors hardware
Thresholds should be
omitted wherever possible.
Weather-stripping at the door
bottom is preferred to
thresholds.
33
Completely glazed doors
should be avoided in buildings
frequented by people with
visual impairments.
3.10 Signage
3.11 Colour
4. EXISTING
CONSTRUCTIONS
It is recommended that
automatic doors replace heavy,
hard-to-open swinging doors.
34
Door openings narrower
than 0.75 m should be
widened. A swing-clear hinged
door may be used to slightly
enlarge an opening.
Notes:
35
9. CORRIDORS
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
To provide well-dimensioned
corridors to facilitate the passage
and manoeuvring of a wheelchair.
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Fig. 1
3.1 General
3.2 Width
36
3.3 Obstructions
3.4 Surface
Fig. 4
Changes in surface level of
more than 13 mm should be
ramped.
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
Notes:
37
10. REST ROOMS
1. PROBLEM
IDENTIFICATION
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
To provide sufficient
accessible space inside
rest rooms, with all fixtures
and fittings being within
easy reach.
3. DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
Fig. 2
Turning circles of 1.50 m
diameter are recommended
inside the rest room to
allow for full-turn
manoeuvring of a
wheelchair.
38
(d) The frontal approach
which is the most difficult
and needs particular care
(fig. 4).
Installation of a separate
unisex unit is always
desirable in public
buildings, even when all
rest rooms are accessible, Fig. 5
so as to allow a disabled
person to be assisted by an
attendant of the opposite
sex.
39
A water-closet and a
lavatory should be provided
within special rest rooms.
Residential bathrooms
are usually equipped with a
toilet, a bidet, a wash-basin
and a bath-tub or shower.
In multiple-rest-room
arrangements (such as
dormitories):
40
3.5 Rest room fixtures
1) Water closets:
Flushing arrangements
and toilet paper should be
placed within reach at a
height between 0.50 m and
1.20 m. It is also
recommended to respect a
distance of 50 cm from the
corner.
Accessible hand-
operated flushing controls,
located on the open side of
the water-closet, are
Fig. 7
recommended.
41
closets are recommended.
2) Lavatories:
The dimensions of
lavatories should comply
with the minimum
requirements (fig. 9).
No shelves must be
located above the wash-
basin.
Fig. 8
3) Bath-tubs:
The minimum
dimensions of the bath-tub
should be 1.60 m x 0.70 m.
42
and 0.50 m from finished
floor level.
An in-tub seat or a seat
at the same height of the
tub should be provided at
the head side of the tub. (1)
In some cases, itt might be
useful to provide a small
wall at the open side of the
bath tube, allowing people
to sit on this before entering
(more easily) the bath tube.
4) Showers:
The dimensions of
showers should comply
with the minimum
requirements (fig. 11) (fig. Fig. 9
12).
43
corner of the stall.
5) Bidets:
44
3.6 Rest room door
3.7 Accessories
45
usually prevent slipping.
3.9 Mirrors
Mirrors should be
suitable for use by both
standing and seated
persons. Low mirrors or
downward tilted mirrors can
be used.
3.10 Faucets
Single-lever mixing-type
faucets, which are easily
operated by hand or elbow,
are recommended. Faucets
with push buttons are also
convenient.
46
3.11 Flooring
Thresholds should be
avoided. When inevitable,
the maximum threshold
height should be 20 mm
(see Doors).
3.12 Alarms
3.13 Pipes
4. EXISTING
CONSTRUCTIONS
4.2 Water-closets
To obtain an accessible
toilet combine two adjacent
stalls b remo ing one
47
water-closet and the mutual
partition, provided that the
number of remaining
fixtures is sufficient for the
floor population.
4.3 Urinals
4.6 Accessories
4.7 Mirrors
48
Notes:
49
APPENDIX ONE: IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLISTS
I. TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Wheelchair users
Problem Measure
Problem Measure
50
Passing through narrow door Provide sufficiently wide door
openings and over high thresholds openings with low beveled thresholds
or none at all
Problem Measure
4. The sightless
Problem Measure
Locating exit doors and stairs Provide tactile marking around the
knobs of exit doors and the handrails of
exit
51
5. The partially sighted
Problem Measure
Problem Measure
52
APPENDIX TWO: IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLISTS
ANTHROPOMETRICS
Fig.1
53
Dimensional data to a normal person
(fig. 2)
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
54
Reaching zones of a normal person
(fig. 4)
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
55
Common reaching zone
Fig. 7
Field of Vision
Fig.8
56
Pathway dimensions
Fig. 9
57
Wheelchair manoeuvring space
Fig. 10
58
Manoeuvring at doors
Fig 11.
59