Addis Abeba Science and Technology University

College of architecture and civil engineering

Department of architecture
Masters of Advance Architecture
Thesis research
PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN MULTI-
STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS OF ADDIS ABABA,
(In the case of Ayat and Semit Condominium)

By; Berhaneselassie. Wobeshet

Advisor; Dr. Daniel libro (PHD)
August 20, 2021
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Abstract
This research work surveyed the attributes of public living residential buildings and their ease of
access to physically challenged persons in Ethiopia Addis Abeba city. the vast majority of
Ethiopians with disability live in inadequate homes with 90% of urban houses and almost all
rural houses in poor condition and 60% of the population lacking access to adequate sanitation
facilities. In Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, 80% of the houses are in poor condition
and below standard. Houses in slum areas are old and dilapidated and too narrow to
accommodate families, where health and dignity is compromised.
Most families who live in dilapidated homes in slum areas share toilets that are also in very
poor condition. Only 18% of households in Addis Ababa have access to sanitation facilities and
24% of households do not have any form of toilet.  So, there are a lot of disable person’s and
peoples living in this condition but the research focuses on disable persons living in
condominium houses. many public buildings and living house are not accessible for the old, the
very young and persons with disabilities due to poor design and performance. In most cases,
disable people find it difficult to gain access into these buildings simply because of their physical
disability. The barriers could be in form of restricted access and narrow doorways, steps and
staircases (un2018). Therefore, disabled people become frustrated and by the way in which their
environment emphasize their disability

The need for the study is that majority of public residential condominiums buildings are not
inclusive, particularly for those with physical impairment on wheel chair. In most cases they not
easily accessible for individuals with disabilities. The reasons are multifaceted, but the
researchers were interested in the role of architectural accessible planning in building an
inclusive society. The Inclusive society concept and basic design requirements provided the
theoretical framework, while descriptive analysis was used for the study. two public residential
living condominium building sites were conveniently selected. The study showed that physically
challenged persons who use wheelchairs to get around can only gain access to 29% of the banks
that provided ramps. Another important observation made in this study, was that for the multi-
story buildings, the wheelchair would be able to access the ground floors only and even in some
instances, these too were inaccessible save for the lack of other complementary requirements.
The study concluded that there is need for the Ethiopian government to lead the way in making
accessibility of public buildings a priority and in enacting laws which mandate accessibility. The
research recommended that Ethiopian low-cost housing designers and managers should only
grant building/development permits to public buildings, when generous provisions have been
made to make access to all persons possible.

Keywords: physical, accessibility, disabled people multi-story, residential buildings

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The process of this study took long time. I am grateful to many people for it. I wish to express
my appreciation to my supervisor Assist. Prof. Dr.Daniel Libo for her guidance, interest and
encouragements throughout the study. In every point I want to give up this study, she gave me
morale support and she always approached me with tolerance. I owe to hmm for everything.

There are many people stuff members who have contributed and extended their valuable
assistance. I am grateful to my wife Mesert Tameru for her endless support during all my life.
She has always been with me both my university life and private life. Whenever I have questions
and I am trouble in something, she makes me feel her support and patience. I also express my
sincere thanks to my family and to Ato Tameru Gezaw deserve the greatest gratitude support me
to use internet access for free. You have been with me all the time and thank you for your
invaluable encouragements. If your supports do not exist, I could not have done it on my own
and I could not have been at this level. Thank you for everything.

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CHAPTER .1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Back ground of the study

The World Health Organization (WHO) Defines Disability as:" Disabilities is an umbrella term,
covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a
problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an
individual in executing a task or action.

Definition of Disability Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Disability

Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental
impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out
normal day-to-day activities.
Disability is a universal challenge and its associated impediment is universally experienced and
accepted. It is in this line with this notion that Ahmed, Awad and Yacoob (2014) posited that
physical disability has for long determined social acceptability by considering body features as
“normal” and any other as deformed and disabled. Prior to the avowal’s of Ahmed et al (2014),
the World Health
Organization (WHO) reiterating a United Nation world report on disability acknowledged that
People living with Disabilities (PWD) are the largest marginalized group and the slim history of
the lives of PWD is not only a history of “silence of the poor” but a story of those called “the
poorest of the poor” (WHO, 2011). Furthering the afore narrative, the WHO reported that around
15% of the world’s populations, about 1 billion people live with a disability; 80% of these live-in
developing countries (WHO 2015). Expounding the statistics and numbers, Agarwal and Steele
(2016) asserted that estimates of numbers of people living with disabilities are approximate with
different countries using different definitions and processes for recording. The authors gave a
vivid picture as painted by the UN that suggests that there are 285m people who are blind, and
70m who are deaf, but without clarity on what constitutes ‘blind’ or ‘deaf’, these numbers are
unclear and it can be assumed that there are many more whose access to a quality life is
precluded by visual or hearing impairment.
Third Global Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development – Habitat III – will take
place in 2016 to review the progress, experience and lessons learnt in the past and to design a
“New Urban Agenda”. This Agenda of focused policies and strategies is hoped to harness the
power and forces behind urbanization. Habitat III therefore provides an important platform for
the world’s urban development policy makers and practitioners, as well as those working in the
field of disability to review current progress and practices and consider opportunities for change.
Importantly, the New Urban Agenda needs to ensure that future cities, towns and basic urban

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infrastructures and services are more environmentally accessible, user-friendly and inclusive of
all people’s needs, including persons with disabilities.

Accessibility and disability inclusion in the contexts of urban development urban environments,

infrastructures, facilities and services can impede or enable, perpetuating exclusion or fostering
participation and inclusion of all members of society.  Persons with disabilities face widespread
lack of accessibility to build environments, from roads and housing, to public buildings and
spaces, basic urban services such as sanitation and water, health, education, transportation, and
emergency response programs. Barriers to information and communications, including relevant
technologies and cultural attitudes including negative stereotyping and stigma also contribute to
the exclusion and marginalization of persons with disabilities in environments. Too often, urban
environments have served as a barrier to the inclusion and participation of persons with
disabilities in economic and social development in cities and communities. Lack of accessibility
contributes greatly to the disadvantaged and vulnerable situations faced by persons with
disabilities, leading to disproportionate rates of poverty, deprivation and exclusion among
persons with disabilities.

Disability in Ethiopia, the World Report on Disability jointly issued by the World Bank and
World Health Organization in 2011 estimated that 17.6% of the Ethiopian population have a
disability. The Ethiopian National Plan of Action of Persons with Disabilities (2012-2021)
estimates that 95% of persons with disabilities in Ethiopia are living below the poverty line. Like
the overall population, 84% are assumed to live in rural areas and therefore have limited access
to basic services. services in the country are also limited and concentrated in urban centers.
Ethiopia has ratified and adopted almost all of the relevant initiatives and international legal texts
on the rights of persons with disabilities including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2010. On a national level, its Growth and Transformation Plan,
which is the leading document aiming for economic growth and development in Ethiopia and
already in its second phase (GTP II 2015- 2020), has various chapters and articles which refer
directly or indirectly to persons with disabilities, referencing for example special needs education
for children with disabilities, preventive, curative, emergency care and rehabilitative health
services, and the aim to expand social security services and participation in political decision
making. Despite the efforts of the government and the initiatives of national and international
non-governmental organizations, there is still a great need to work with persons with disabilities
towards their full inclusion in all aspects of society and for the different stakeholders to
collaborate more closely.
According to the recent statistics, Addis Ababa, which is the capital city of Ethiopia, has a
population of 4.6 million. The dramatic increase in population implies a higher demand for
housing which in turn increases the need for residential real estate and infrastructural
development in the city. Lack of sufficient and affordable housing is one of the major problems
in Addis Ababa as well as in other cities and towns across the country. Even though there is an
increase in the supply of housing by both the government agencies and private real estate
developers, there is still a huge gap between housing needs and supply in Addis Ababa. In 2002,
the number of housing units available in Addis Ababa was about 60% of the total requirements
and had a backlog of 230,000 housing units. In 2015, the housing needs reached about 2,250,831

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units, which equated to a demand of 225,000 new housings per annum. Housing affordability
compatible with different income level of the city residents has to be given sufficient attention.
Based on the previous experiences, it is recognized that the prices of housing tend to increase as
the demand for housing increases. For instance, in 2008, the cheapest private real estate houses
for small residential household ranged from 13 million birr while 92% of Addis Ababa residents
earned a monthly income of less than $167 a month (3,340 Eth birr). Subsequently, in 2016, the
cheapest price reached a range of 3-6 million birr making it unaffordable for the majority of
Addis Ababa residents. Being able to access adequate housing is a human right for everyone as
stated in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights3, Article 11 of the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights4, the Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)5 and in the Habitat Agenda. Financial access to housing for
low-income urban dwellers including poor persons with disabilities and older persons should be
made easier. Poor households invest a major portion of their income into housing. Therefore,
being able to remain in the same house when reaching old age or after acquiring an impairment
should be facilitated.
From the perspective of sustainability, accessibility links three primary aspects: social, through
equity; economic, via financial independence; and environmental, as when housing projects and
programs adopt green low-cost strategies for spatial adaptation. Spatial inclusion enables social
inclusion for the person with disabilities and his/ her family. Accessibility leads to independence,
increased mobility, access to the labor market and consequently a better quality of life.

Making cities and communities inclusive and sustainable for persons with disabilities (SDG 11)
Transportation systems, public spaces and facilities and businesses are not always accessible for
persons with disabilities. Available data indicates that in some countries more than 30% of
persons with disabilities finds transportation and public spaces not accessible. Persons with
disabilities also experience difficulties in accessing adequate housing. Barriers include lack of
physical accessibility, discrimination and stigmatization and lack of social housing or community
support. Limited access to employment can also pose challenges in securing the financial
conditions for renting or financing adequate housing.

As a result, a disproportionate number of persons with disabilities are homeless. Furthermore,

those who find a home may not be able to afford modifications to make their home accessible. n
some countries, more than 15% of persons with disabilities find their dwelling hindering. In
several countries, persons with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities face an additional
obstacle: they have limited security of tenure because their legal capacity is not recognized, and
they are rarely able to obtain a formal housing contract. More and more countries have been
taken measures to improve physical accessibility in public transportation, public playgrounds,
cultural facilities, and sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Some countries also have guidelines
for accessible housing. To make cities and communities inclusive and sustainable for persons
with disabilities, more efforts are needed to:

Ensure that national policies and laws on accessible housing, public infrastructure, transport, and
services are in place and implemented., Develop national policies and laws that guarantee access
to adequate and affordable housing for persons with disabilities, Raise-awareness on disability
among communities and decision-makers and create the enabling environment where persons

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with disabilities are included without discrimination and can participate equally in the
communities. , Share knowledge and good practices and build capacity to implement measures
promoting accessibility and inclusion., Improve research and data to monitor, evaluate and
strengthen urban development to be more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities.

1.2 Problem statement

Accessibility and disability inclusion in the contexts of urban development urban environments,

infrastructures, facilities and services can impede or enable, perpetuating exclusion or fostering
participation and inclusion of all members of society.  Persons with disabilities face widespread
lack of accessibility to build environments, from roads and housing, to public buildings and
spaces, basic urban services such as sanitation and water, health, education, transportation, and
emergency response programs. Barriers to information and communications, including relevant
technologies and cultural attitudes including negative stereotyping and stigma also contribute to
the exclusion and marginalization of persons with disabilities in environments. Too often, urban
environments have served as a barrier to the inclusion and participation of persons with
disabilities in economic and social development in cities and communities. Lack of accessibility
contributes greatly to the disadvantaged and vulnerable situations faced by persons with
disabilities, leading to disproportionate rates of poverty, deprivation and exclusion among
persons with disabilities.

World Bank and World Health Organization in 2011 estimated that 17.6% of the Ethiopian
population have a disability. Also, the vast majority of Ethiopians with disability live in
inadequate homes with 90% of urban houses and almost all rural houses in poor condition and
60% of the population lacking access to adequate sanitation facilities. In Addis Ababa, the
capital city of Ethiopia, 80% of the houses are in poor condition and below standard. Houses in
slum areas are old and dilapidated and too narrow to accommodate families, where health and
dignity is compromised. Most families who live in dilapidated homes in slum areas share toilets
that are also in very poor condition. Only 18% of households in Addis Ababa have access to
sanitation facilities and 24% of households do not have any form of toilet. So, there are a lot of
disable person’s and peoples living in this condition but the research focuses on disable persons
living in condominium houses Based on the current rate of growth (3.02%), the population of
Ethiopia is expected to double in the next 30 years and cross 210 million by 2060 implying a
higher demand in housing needs. It is learnt from the trend of housing development in Addis
Ababa that reducing the housing backlogs has been a challenge to the Ethiopian city
administration. Following the change of government in 1991, the Addis Ababa City
Administration has considered private real estate sector to be one of the actors in housing
development.
In Ethiopia public buildings and multistory public living buildings are not accessible for the old,
the very young and persons with disabilities due to poor design and performance. In most cases,
disable people find it difficult to gain access into these buildings simply because of their physical
disability. The barriers could be in form of restricted access and narrow doorways, steps and
staircases.

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Also, the vast majority of Ethiopians with disability live in inadequate homes with 90% of urban
houses and almost all rural houses in poor condition and 60% of the population lacking access to
adequate sanitation facilities. In Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, 80% of the houses are
in poor condition and below standard. Houses in slum areas are old and dilapidated and too
narrow to accommodate families, where health and dignity is compromised.
Most families who live in dilapidated homes in slum areas share toilets that are also in very poor
condition. Only 18% of households in Addis Ababa have access to sanitation facilities and 24%
of households do not have any form of toilet. So, there are a lot of disable person’s and peoples
living in this condition but the research focuses on disable persons living in condominium houses
many public buildings and living house are not accessible for the old, the very young and
persons with disabilities due to poor design and performance. In most cases, disable people find
it difficult to gain access into these buildings simply because of their physical disability. The
barriers could be in form of restricted access and narrow doorways, steps and staircases
(un2018). Therefore, disabled people become frustrated and by the way in which their
environment emphasize their disability
Based on realization sustainable development goals by UN 2018, for and with persons with
disability; a lot of measures have to be taken in Ethiopia, Addis Abeba to improve physical
accessibility in public communal living buildings regarding to accessible serrulation,
playgrounds, in use of communal residential facilities, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Some
countries also have guidelines for accessible housing. To make the cities and communities
inclusive and sustainable for persons with disabilities more efforts are needed to be work on
accessible housing, housing infrastructure, housing vertical and horizontal accesses and services
are need to be implemented and architectural researches like physical accessibility on buildings
will supports and contribute solutions for the challenges.
The research data sources depend on the following
 On the two selected communal living building sites in Addis Abeba/condominium
buildings/
 On the communal living building which disable personas leaving in it/condominium
buildings/
 On Disable personas that are living in the selected sit

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1.3. Objectives

1.3.1. General objective

Sharing research and best practice examples that promotes understanding and potential solutions
to key issues faced by people with disabilities.

1.3.2. Specific objective

 To identify on challenges of disable persons in multi-story of public living Buildings
 To examine challenge and interests of disabilities physical accessibility on multi-story
living building of Addis Abeba; Ethiopia,
 To understand disable persons physical accessible housing need; and empower them to
live independent lives of accessing on multi-story building house and community
activities.
 To find solution for disable persons physical accessibility challenges and building needs
for multi-story living buildings of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia,

1.4. Research question

Searches will conduct in Amharic but there will no language restriction for studies to be eligible.
There was no restriction by study type in searching. I planned to limit the study with minimum
level of evidence only if the number of such studies were sufficient for this review.
1, Why is multistory communal living building in Addis Abeba are not accessible for disable
persons and old age peoples(alders)?
2, What kind of accessibility challenges dose disable persons’ and old age(alders) peoples defeat
in living buildings of HAYAT and SEMIT condominium sites.
3, How old age people’s and disabled persons overcome their everyday accessibility challenges
in multistory communal living building and solving problems
4. Howe can solve, the physical challenges of disabled persons and old aged groups in multistory
communal living buildings of the selected sites

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1.5. Scope and Limitation of the research

The research will be on two selected condominium sites in Addis Abeba that are SEMIT
condominium sites, HAYAT condominium site.
the research will not include persons with other disability’s, it only includes disable personas
with handicap, disability of walking also old age groups.

1.6. Relevance of the study

The research will contribute too many parts of the community. For researchers, it can be a
takeoff for further study; students can use it as a reference to design and build improved
knowledge of architecture for similar studies in this area. And it also serves as a benchmark for
further studies on disable persons.

1.7. Organization of the thesis report

The paper is organized in to six chapters.

Chapter 1, Introduction- this section consists of research background, problem statement,

question, objective, scope and limitation of the study.

Chapter 2, Literature review- this section describes about the theoretical review and available
literature related to accessibility on multistory communal living buildings.

Chapter 3, Research methodology- this part describes about the methods and tools used to study
the research and why the methods are selected? It also explains the types of data, data collection
techniques, data analysis methods etc.

Chapter 4, Data collection and analysis- This section is very important section of the research.
Basic will be collected and interpreted in detail regarding to accessibility challenge.

Chapter 5, Summery, finding and recommendation- this part describe the summery of the result
from the analysis part. Finding from the study also included in this chapter.

Chapter 6, Conclusion and recommendation- this chapter includes the recommendation from the
finding and conclusion about overall research.

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CHAPTER.2 RESEARCH METHOD
2.1 Types of data
Both qualitative and quantitative data are required for the study. the quantitative data including
types of fence design and its number. Qualitative data includes the integration with the building,
aesthetics, materials used, sustainable practice etc.

2.1.1 Primary source, Since the data related to fence architecture is rare primary data
is very effective way of to collect data. questionaries’ interview and direct observation are the
most important source to get reliable information to see the basic accessibility challenge and its
effect which is leading to venerable conclusions and solution.

2.1.2 Secondary sources, it includes documented data, published works, internet

source. It used to get general information about the research. a case study approach used by
integrated with erect observation and literature review were used through.

2.2 Data collection method

The data are collected by using questionaries’ interview and direct observation and other
secondary data such as relevant documents are the method used to collect the data.

2.2.1 Questionaries’/ interview, Questionaries are important methods to collect

huge data. Both opened ended and closed ended questions are used to get the required
information. Personal experience may important to change the altitude towards the existing trend
building design. Interview is another method to collect primary data from concerned body
includes alders and disabled persons living in condominium houses, architects and other body
including illiterate peoples. information that collects from interview is the most special one to get
reliable data.

2.2.2 Site survey (direct observation), Direct observation is another best method to
collect the data as case study. There is nothing reliable other than direct observation. So, this
method is very important method to collect reliable data about the existing problems and
challenges in communal living buildings

2.2.3 Documented data , this is categorized as a secondary source and used as

reference. Other research and documents used as an initial point to develop best research. Issues
related to accessibility.

2.3. Data Collection Techniques

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2.3.1. Primary data collection methods

For this research, questionnaire data collection methods are set to address the objectives of the
research and it had criteria’s for formulating them. It was used to easily interpret the answers and
giving opportunities to explain other additional answers. The questionaries’ must be interrelated
with specific objectives.

The questionnaire was administered on;

 disabled persons of the residence

 old aged woman/man in the area for a long time.
 Administrative organs the condominiums sites
 It was tried to include academic members of the sites

The questionnaire was distributed along the main living compounds and other adjacent service
areas of the study area.

Observation

This activity was done to analyze the exiting functional activity of the place and people to place
relation. To see the housing space acerbity activities of users. Through observing the
relationships between activities and spaces. It had to get additional information; pictures of each
space were taken.

2.3.2 Secondary data collection method

In this case, the research had gotten some source of data from societies of the condominium site
such as statically data (development plans, zonal regulations and activity data’s), and graphical
data like land use maps. Through interview and discussion, the secondary data was collected.

Documents

Secondary sources, such as reports, books, proposals, research papers, government, and libraries
were also used to analyze the basic issues under investigation.

Survey Method

Both direct and indirect approach questions were used with the aid of Structured Surveys (using
predefined lists of questions in which all respondents were asked in the same way) and
Unstructured Surveys (by probing the respondents and guide the interview according to their
answers).

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2.4. Sampling Frame and Units
The frames that were used to limit the number of samples that are taken under consideration
were as follows.

1. from disabled persons on the

2. old aged groups of society in the compound

3. Buildings with typology, architectural style and functional character with isolate from other
condominium building typologies.

Sampling Frame and Units The frames that were used to limit the number of samples that are
taken under consideration were as follows.

3.5.1. Sample Size and Sampling Techniques Purposive Stratified sampling will be use to select
disability of working and handicaps and old aged groups with different accessibility challenges.
Stratified sampling will assistance proportional section method from the numbers of disability
and sizes of pop. After selecting proportional unit distribute the questions and interviews
randomly. The sapling frame will regulate the section method for buildings after proportional
sizes of each stra

Due to this this study will be select and identification of some variable and arranging sample
frame based on strata such as types of disability, old aged groups, Building circulation

3.5.2. Sampling Survey Calculation

Pi = Nn/N

ni = n x Pi

• Pi represents the proportion of population included in stratum i

• n represents the total sample size

• The number of elements selected from stratum i is ni

• N Population of size or number of Buildings in the case area

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• The sizes of the strata Nn As the method of proportional allocation for questioners and
interview in the case area there will be three main actors that will be identify the problems.
Those area

N1 = older people

N2 = disabled persons

Due to this, the numbers of total sample size for population will be survey 100 selected.
According to According to the (the community members) the reviewing data “the numbers of
population in the case area Samit condominium site will be estimated 2600 households. It
estimated 100 will be disabled person.

strata of population of size sample of size Pi The number of

size N estimation value n elements
only in case area selected from
stratum i is ni

N1 = Older 2500 2600 100 0.9 90

people

N2 = 100 0.1 10
Disabled
persons

Table 2 Proportional sample size form strata

But on the other hand, there will be difficult to limit the proportion size of daily customer’s size.
Due to this the research conduct random sample type for customer or users in the Samit
condominium.

2.5.3. Data analysis and interpretation method

as the previous the research has two types of data. Using the modeling software’s, graphical
presentation, SPSS software to interpreter questioner data. The quantitative interviews and
questioners’ data designate by the numbers and percentage. Graphical representation will explain
the qualitative data.

2.6. Conclusion
There are different types of research metrology based on field of study and the scope of the
study. This study used descriptive research methodology through qualitative and quantitative

14
approaches. The data are source from direct observational survey study. The qualitative data are
questioners and interview through graph and chart analysis the data. The quantitative data area
descriptive dataset to express the existing physical and spatial configuration of the case area.

CHAPTER. 3. DATA PRESENTATION AND FINDING

3.1. study selection
Site HAYAT and SEMIT both condominiums featured with residential apartments and service
amenities included with commercials on the active frontage of the main streets. And compound
blocks are ‘ground floor plus four stories’ (G+4) in height, in some cases five story’s (G+5) in
which four typologies incorporated in each condominium block: a studio, 1-bedroom, 2-
bedroom, and 3- bedroom unit types Each unit includes a bathroom, which includes a shower,
flush-toilet, and basin, and a separate kitchen. At the start of the IHDP, the Mayor of Addis
Ababa at the time, Mr. Oqubay Arkebe, approached the architecture and engineering firm, MH
Engineering. The firm quickly became the lead architect-and-engineering firm for the concept
designs of 31 condominium projects.

15
figure 32: SEMIT and HAYAT condominiums site locations

The research started by preparing questioners and identifying the disable persons in the selected
site .there woes about more than 27 disable persons, I get these number from the sites bored
members with different disability in the selected site and I choose 14 of them with disability of
working and handy cape and I asked them for their willingness for the research the seventeen
confirmed my request 10 from SEMIT condominium 7 from HAYAT condominium after that
the questioner woes fouled by themselves And by help of me for those who can’t write , after
that I visited 5persones homes(3 from SEMIT and 2 from HAYAT condominium sites) to take
data form the setting and lay out of the house they are living in the others persons where not
willing to show me ether house
After the full text screening process, necessary information. This included study type, number of
participants and their functional limitations, study inclusion and exclusion criteria, interventions
and any comparators, outcome measures and results reported. Initially, 14 disable handicap and
disability of waking person’s records and 5 disable persons’ house were identified data has
been taken recoded with COVID 19 and time restriction.
Studies included in the review.

Study on Location Study Type Method

Disable persons Communal building

A, A (SEMITE and Questioner, site
living in A.A for disable personas
HAYAT visit and literature
communal living research /MSC/
condominium site) related review
building program

Types of or Terms Used for Functional Definition Mean Age

Age Group (Years)
Limitations in no (Years)

Disability of walking 8 persons Adults: no 34-38

minimum age

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 specified

Disability of handicap 6 persons Older adults 38-43

Problems in one or more areas of the Adult: no

Functional Independence Measure motor 14 persons minimum age 35 -43
scale specified

Table .3. location and typology

3.2. Result Descriptions on accessibility limitations site and home visit

case studies.

Between the blocks there exists communal buildings, the function on the communal buildings is
to provide a protected space for residents to perform traditional tasks such as slaughtering goats,
hand washing laundry, and cooking extensive meals

figure 34: BOLE SEMIT condominiums plan and elevation, MH engineering

3.2.1 Entrances and parking spaces

Possible parking space is provided but Accessible entrances not clearly identified using the
international symbol of accessibility including alternate locations of accessible entrances no
assigned sign of handicapped parking slot parking with cobbled stone finish on the surface

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 figure 33: YEKK AYYAT site entrance, BOLE SEMIT condominiums site under construction,

3.2.2 Horizontal and vertical circulation (add stair case and corridors)
circulations have unreasonable steps of height difference which makes difficult for rolling
assertive device users as wheelchair. Groves, ups and downs and finish Sections of the non-slip
tiles on the corridors had undergone wear and tear over the years of exposure to the weather
thereby posing movement problems to wheelchair users. Basic macro-accessibility provisions
were not considered especially in the planning and design of interior spaces. Specially no
handrail on the walls of corridors. Stone-chippings and exposed loose of 40*40 terrazzo in front
of the block and forecourt compels the wheelchair user to exert more energy to gain momentum
There are no covered walkways linking each facility to the other thereby exposing the disabled
persons to the mercies of the weather. No signage and way finders are installed on the site. No
incorporating of ramp as vertical means of circulations led to no access for elders and disabled’s
other than the ground floor

figure 36: stepping and vertical circulations on the selected site

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no distinctive guider and zigzag design on hard maneuvering space of the walkways on the
compound obstacles, manholes and gaps created due to drainage lines thereby posing movement
problems to wheelchair users

Customized as per users need slippery flooring surfaces on the interior rooms risks elders
Bathrooms not easily reachable positions of controls and fittings as well as no adequate
space for maneuvering. No place to set wheelchair. Bathrooms and corridors with no
independent transfer units such as grab bars. Less Adequate maneuvering space around beds as
wells as appropriate assistive devices to facilitate access to all facilities.
Open risers at are provided on the stair which is not recommended for handicapped person
and Sharp edges and overhanging nosing are not flushed and extend more than 40 mm. tactile
markings are not provided along with the stair to alert the visually impaired persons A textural

marking strip are not placed at the top and bottom of the stairs and at intermediate landings to
alert sightless people environments to assist blind and visually impaired persons to distinguish
locations and directions, identify potential hazards, and then to move and reach expected
destinations as to the location of the stairs.

19
Figure 37: sketch stair nosing, Addis Ababa walkway Street and stair tactile
Customized as per users need slippery flooring surfaces on the interior room’s risks elders
Bathrooms not easily reachable positions of controls and fittings as well as no adequate space
for maneuvering. No place to set wheelchair. Bathrooms and corridors with no independent
transfer units such as grab bars. Less Adequate maneuvering space around beds as wells as
appropriate assistive devices to facilitate access to all facilities. Carpets should be avoided in
places where wheelchairs will be used.
Problem could be seen to be typical to finding the standard heights of toilet seats, wash hand
basins problems such as low toilet seats being difficult for the walking impaired people who
have trouble getting up on their feet especially without assistance, while high seats are better
for walking people who have difficulty getting up

Figure 37: sketch stair nosing, Addis Ababa walkway Street and stair tactile

Accessibility Features problems from disable persons’ home

Disability visit Problem in
with present
on the selected sites

Disability Problem with Targeting hygiene facilities (installation of grab

in both bars in the bathtub or shower, replacing the bathtub with a
shower), entrances including balcony and patio, stairways and Mobility
doors (automatic door openers). A few adaptations targeting
floor surfaces in bathrooms.

No Wheelchair accessible doors, ramps, rails, tub seat in

Mobility
bathrooms, non-slip surface

Problem with Handrails, grab bars, ramps, hand-held shower, Mobility

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 Accessibility Features problems from disable persons’ home
Disability visit Problem in
with present
on the selected sites

raised toilet, roll-in shower, widen door, relocating laundry

facilities to ground floor, bed rail, designated parking area on
street, Lever handles on doors. Additional lighting
no Safety features (deadbolts, smoke detectors) and adaptive
equipment (included and vision

Problem with Lighting adjustments in the kitchen, bathroom,

Vision
hall and living room

Problem with glare, improving lighting

Painting the edge of steps Comfort
Installation of grab bars, stair bars

Minor adaptations: handrails, grab-rails

Major adaptations: stair-lifts, bathroom conversions providing
level-access shower, extensions to provide ground-floor
bedroom, bathroom or both, stair-and through-floor lifts, To use
installations of downstairs toilets, door widening, ramps,
kitchen alteration
Heating included

Problem with installation of grab bars, rails, raised toilet seats

Occupational therapy sessions (training of problem-solving Mobility
strategies, high energy conservation, unsafe performance, fall and use
Disability recovery cost) and physiotherapy cost
in both

Problem with Light path installed fare the bed with tele-
Vision
assistance

Problem Home Environmental Assessment Protocol: hazards Cognition

Disability (access to dangerous objects), adaptation (grab bars, visual

21
 Accessibility Features problems from disable persons’ home
Disability visit Problem in
with present
on the selected sites

cues)

in both Problem with Environmental accessibility barriers: wide Mobility,

doorways, ramps, railings, automatic doors, bathroom, kitchen use and
or other modification safety
Table 4. Accessibility Features problems from disable persons’ home visit

Table 4. Accessibility Features problems from disable persons’ home visi

All age
Challenges of life to defeat
groups

Problems in everyday life and requesting home modifications

Adults
related to at least one of areas: getting in accessibility and out of the
Disability 35 – 43
home, mobility indoors, self-care in the bathroom
[in both]

Limitations in kind and number of activities or work, receipt of any

form of insurance or financial support because of disability, Adults
limitation in sensation or communication, or use of mobility 35 -43
devices, artificial limb, etc.

Hard for living because of the spaces are designed for cost
efficiency and considering majority of healthy peoples that makes
design do not consider their accessibility for disability starting from
Disability Adults
the entrance of compounded of the buildings their straggle of life
[in both] 35 43
starts from get inside the house and getting out from the house so
that these makes very difficult their life besides the outside home
disability pressure

Disability Problem of accessibility in the house is the worst of the life even it Adults
[in both] is batter to stay outside the house rather than staying in home they 35 -43
have difficulty to circulate to cook to use home accesses even to

22
 sleep to gout and get in the house to participate in to social activity
even difficult to perform their

3.3 Data presentation

accessiblity
9
8 ramp; 8.2
7
6
5
4
3 stair ; 3.2
hand/ guard
2 wide accessible rail; 2.2
1 circulations; 1.4 toilet ; 1.2
0
ramp stair wide circulations accessible toilet hand/ guard rail

accessiblity

Figer.37 Figer of data accessibility challenge on the building

Of all the accessibility design features mentioned during the survey, ramp had the highest
tally 51% followed by stairs, spacious rooms, accessible sanitary room features, and hand
/guardrails respectively.
7
6
5
elderly
4
3 cruched
2
1 wheel chair user
0
early age young age old men 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

community interaction economical exposure toilet seats basin wash

family support light switch door handels

Figer.38 Figer of data accessibility of utilities and social interaction

as seen on the sample Community involvement of both at disabled and elderlies is very low-
and the-income amount of the family is medium and low in case of early and aged
disabilities. and as the sample taken out over access to different facilities reaching to objects
had become hard for the wheelchair and muscular works for the partially disabled and
elderly.

23
 Non-slippery flooring surfaces like concrete,
terrazzo and cobble has given comfort to the aged
elderlys and non-wheelchair users. But the hard surface of
crunchs
those gives discomfort for rolling on to it.

wheel chair

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

ceramic tiles terazzo tile

concerite flooring cobble stone

Figer .39 Figer of data accessibility challenge on

floor finish
I addressed the research question using the following structure, which influenced the search
strategies used in this review:
context: Domestic home in the community setting regardless of household tenure. Indoor and
immediate outside of house, and public spaces and mutual corridors in the case of blocks of flats or
buildings. Assisted living facilities, group homes and institutional settings were excluded.

 Participants: People of all ages who have functional limitations whether physical or

cognitive. Frail older adults were included, given that “frail” indicates some forms of
impairments. Older adults were excluded if no functional limitations were specified.
 Outcomes: Health or social related changes. Outcomes that were measured jointly
regarding home accessibility features and participants’ health/social changes were
excluded if they could not be disaggregated.

3.4. Quality of Life

World Health Organization Individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture
and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.
It is a broad ranging concept affected in a complex way by the person’s physical health, psychological
state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and their relations to salient features
of their environment.

Two randomized the buildings found to be negative effect of on quality of life. most found
their quality of life was significantly enhanced in the intervention to survive, compared to the
healthy people, needs home modifications among paraplegic wheelchair users. Also,
additional lighting adjustments in the living room increased quality of life and wellbeing
among. Conversely, a cross-sectional study found no associations between quality of life,
and home safety and accessibility factors such as hazards,

3.5. Psychological Effects

Psychological effects of home accessibility interventions were identified. For instance, older
adults with functional difficulties reported high fear of falling following multicomponent
home intervention. One mixed-method study, which presented findings as themes from the
24
qualitative part of the study, also identified a to reduced fear of accidents: 62% of the
recipients of minor adaptations (mainly handrails and grab-rails) reported “feeling safer from
accidents”, and recipients of major adaptations also expressed the relief to be safe of feeling
safer. In addition, “depression” was identified in the theme of health gains from bad quality
adaptations for people with physical impairments in communal living buildings.

3.6. Occupational Performance

Challenges increase in self-perceived occupational performance up to among low-income
adults with functional limitations was reported. The outcome measurement included self-care
(personal care, functional mobility and community management), less productivity in work,
household and play/school, and leisure (quiet recreation, active recreation and socialization).

3.7. Discussion
Studies included in this review differ greatly in terms of study designs, participants,
Although the majority of the studies’ participants were from the elderly population over 35-
year-old, the type, definition and level of functional limitations varied. Despite the fact that
mobility related modifications were the most common, in addition, it is not clear if the effect
of the multicomponent intervention was directly from the accessibility component, and
which part of the research was more effective., such as quality of life and challenges in. This
methodological and statistical heterogeneity that I adopted is in a narrative approach to
synthesize the findings, rather than performing a meta-analysis.
I found evidence for the effect of accessible home environments among people with
functional limitations either ageing related or from other causes in this systematic review.
Although it contains studies with a low level of quality of evidence, gathering and
synthesizing the existing evidence will help to guide further research and develop guidelines
based on the best evidence available. Overall findings of this review suggest that, in general,
people with functional limitations living in accessible home environments have better health,
Physical health problems were identified, such in falls and injuries. Less mortality rates were
also identified among older adults with functional. Self-perceptions of decreased quality of
life and general non wellbeing was found, along with psychological effects such as reduced
fear of falling/accidents and feeling of depression. As fear of falling is known to be a strong
risk factor for functional decline and falls. this reduction in fear is also an important finding.
Furthermore, home modifications decreased difficulties and increased safety and self-
efficacy in outcome measures. This suggests that people who already have difficulties
functioning in everyday life can benefit from home accessibility features, possibly delaying
deterioration of their already limited functions.
the studies indicated that people with functional limitations received the greatest benefits
from interventions in terms of bathroom use, such as bathing, showering and toileting. tasks
focus on the bathroom; and a large number of home adaptations have targeted hygiene
facilities. Nonetheless, this is an important finding because it can inform planning for home
modifications for people with impairments. Furthermore, Heywood 2004 identified that
home modifications that were inadequately implemented due to bad planning or

25
administrative errors, actually had a negative impact on physical and mental health of
persons with functional limitations. This indicates that home modification planning should
consult with service users as well as health and architectural professionals.

3.8. Study Limitations

There are methodological limitations in the studies included in this review. First, this
systematic review included a relatively small number of papers with relatively small sample
sizes; making it unfeasible to draw generalized conclusions. Furthermore, the quality of the
evidence compiled in this review is quite uneven.

CHAPTER 4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Conclusions
The problems that are identified in the selected sites are access problems in indoor. In particular,
the width of doors, lack of the appropriate standards for the disabled bathroom and toilets, lack
of wheel chair ramps, the high thresholds of doors, lack of ramps are some biggest problems
experienced. Kaplan (2010) reported that indoors physical barriers restrict travel opportunities
for many people with old aged peoples; for such peoples the sites should be accessible and open
to all people including persons with disabilities, and the disabled people should be considered
when arranging the physical environment of these areas from planning and design stages
An important observation made during this study was that there is an intention to improve
accessibility when buildings are being constructed or renovated. This study described how non
accessible public communal living buildings are difficult for wheelchair users because the
research realized that narrow entrances and routes of buildings, raised steps at entrances of the
buildings and steep ramps rendered most of the buildings inaccessible to wheelchair users.
There is the need for the Ethiopian government to develop building codes and guidelines using
universal design principles to ensure all public buildings are wheelchair accessible. This can be
achieved by liaison between wheelchair users and various professionals It is important to
increase the level of wheelchair accessibility to public buildings; this will facilitate
independence, integration and reintegration of wheelchair users into the society. It will also
ensure equity for all and thereby contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development
goals in Ethiopia.
Also Access to living buildings is a right for all people, including those with temporary and
permanent impairments such as injuries and disabilities, in order to fulfil their basic needs.
Access to facilities should be promoted by physical and sensorial access as well as positive
attitude towards encouraging persons with particular vulnerabilities to use accessible facilities.
Universal Design (often called Inclusive Design) is a design approach which designs products,
environments, programs, and services to be usable by all persons, to the greatest extent possible,
without the need for adaptation or specialized design, while promoting self-reliance,
independence and ease of living for persons with disabilities, older people and people without
disabilities. As such, a barrier–free environment allows everybody, irrespective of age, gender or
physical ability, to access and make use of the built environment. This includes everything from
parking to private homes. By designing and implementing accessibility of communal living

26
buildings in Addis Abeba by government or private constructions we can make an environment
barrier free thus allowing independent, safe and easy access for everyone.

4.2 Recommendation
Based on Accessibility for the Disabled A Design Manual for a Barrier Free Environment 2020
context, ensuring access to the built environment is a crucial element in reducing the
vulnerability and isolation of people with disabilities: architectural accessibility facilitates,
amongst other areas of inclusion, people’s chances to reach services and facilities should have
Four levels of accessibility (In order of importance) must be considered when designing or
implementing accessible facilities or services (an area, site, WASH facilities, shelter, community
space and/ or service): How to reach, how to enter, how to use How, to understand instructions
and information technical recommendations are provided below for each level of accessibility:

4.2.1 How to reach

it has to be important to ensure that pathways between various areas (shelter, wash facilities,
public spaces and services in the community) are accessible to all individuals, including persons
with disabilities.
Pathways have to be wide, smooth and free of obstacles: o Pathways is 150 cm wide. smooth,
firm and level and non-slippery: concrete, Pathways accessible for wheelchairs and people using
mobility aids. Pathways is free of all obstacles (rocks, bricks, etc.), including coverage of
drainage systems and other open hazards (holes, pools of standing water, etc.) Pathways is well
illuminated during the day and night o 200cm free from obstacle height

4.2.2 How to enter

Once the condominium buildings (shelter, wash facilities, public spaces and services in the
community) has been reached, the entrance need to be accessible to all persons, including those
with mobility limitations including those using wheelchairs and mobility aids (see wheel chair
dimension in the “how to reach section”), and those with vision impairment. This can be
achieved by installing ramps and handrails, and ensuring that openings are wide enough for a
wheelchair to pass through.
The entrances of the condominium sites have to be preferable to have no steps at all and to have
all entrances at ground level as this makes it possible for all persons, including persons using
wheelchairs and persons using mobility aids, to enter and access the area. While it is preferable
to have no stairs, in some cases stairs are possible. If stairs must be used, steps should meet the
following specification:

Stairs and ramps

All the steps in a staircase should be on same dimensions 0.16 m in height 0.28 m in depth 1.20
m in width double handrails of different heights (70 and 90 cm high) provided for children and
adults. Plan a landing/resting area every 10 steps and every time there is a direction change for
ramp with raise than 0.15 m, handrails should be provided on both sides of the stair at height of
0.90 -1.00 m from ramp level, Additional handrail at height 0.60 m – 0.70 m for children

27
Ramps
Ramps must provide access to buildings and between different floor levels. Outside, ramps are
usually the most practical way to provide wheelchair access between different levels of the
condominium buildings. ramp Configuration: design options: Ramp Width: The width of the
ramp can vary according to use, configuration and slope the ramp have a minimum width of 0.90
m => for straight ramps; width is 1.50 m to 2.00 m. ramps landing space (there is a change of
direction), width is 1.20 m minimum
Slope Specifications: Having the correct slope is crucial as an overly steep slope can render a
ramp too dangerous and inaccessible for an independent wheelchair user. Preferably there should
be no vertical (very steep) slope at all. The slope is 5% (1cm height :20cm length). slope of 12%
is not ideal and only acceptable if it is for short distance (50 cm).

Landing space and resting area

The steeper the slope, the shorter the distance that wheelchair users can cover without resting,
therefore, the condominium building landings should be provided for resting, maneuvering and
avoiding excessive speed. Ramps require a landing space at the top, bottom and anytime the
ramp changes direction. the ramp is longer than 6.00 m or with a change of direction, it needs a
resting area or landing space at least (1.20 m × 1.20 cm) in order to allow the user to take a
breath. surface: have to be or have to be changed to be not slippery, with tactile surface and
contrasting color upstairs and downstairs for person with olde aged and disable one’s
impairment.

Shower Specifications
Benches should provide and perforate with holes to allow water drainage. A wider shower bench
is ideal and safer. Grab bars must be installed on the wall besides shower bench at a height of
0.70 m - 0.80m Elevated shower head (telescopic shower head is at height of 1.20 m). Shower
bench: (0.50 m x 0.50 m minimum at a height of 0.50 m from the floor).
Handles also mut be provided to operate without rotating the wrist (using valve handle) at a
height level of 0.90 m. No lips around shower Floor surface are non-slip, with a 2% slope in one
part to allow water run-off.

4.3.3 How to understand

Signage organization a Set up a logo/pictogram representing the nature of the service in the front
of the condominiums building entrance a Signal important point (entrance, exit, information
point, registration point, queue) Obstacles and dangers must be signaled. Signage positioning
Use signage in the visual field (minimum: 0.90m / maximum: 1.80m) Set up signage off the
pathway (avoid obstacles) Continuous signposting until the living buildings (no break of
information, continuity and consistency to avoid confusion) signage at every decision point and
at each change of direction up signage where there is good lighting or install lighting where you
set up signage.

28
Reference
1. Ethiopian Disabled Persons association.
2. Ethiopian housing corporation Affordable Housing Goals, Objectives and Policies
3. managements of Hayat and Semite condominium site, Ethiopia.
4. Hayat and Semite condominium site house board member’s association.
5. from fourteen Disabled Persons living in Hayat and Semite condominium site.
6. from five Disabled Persons living house in Hayat and Semite.
7. (home or homes or house or houses or housing or reside or built environment or living
environment).
8. United Nations General Assembly. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of
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Disabilities and Older Persons A

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