UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

ALUBIJID L CAGAYAN DE ORO L CLAVERIA L JASAAN L PANAON L OROQUIETA

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OF ARCHITECTURE_3A

BP344 RULES
(PERFORMANCE TASK INNOVATION)

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 01

SUBMITTED BY:

KEZSA MARIE S. BACAS

ARCH 3A_A1

SUBMITTED TO:

AR. NATHALIE LUMAGBAS

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 01 INSTRUCTOR

NOVEMBER 2023
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 I. BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 344
SECTION 1
IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE SOCIAL
LIFE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIETIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE AND THE ENJOYMENT OF THE OPPORTUNITIES
AVAILABLE TO OTHER CITIZENS, NO LICENSE OR PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS FOR PUBLIC USE, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AIRPORTS, SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTERS
AND COMPLEXES, SHOPPING CENTERS OR ESTABLISHMENTS, PUBLIC PARKING PLACES, WORKPLACES, PUBLIC UTILITIES,
SHALL BE GRANTED OR ISSUED UNLESS THE OWNER OR OPERATOR THEREOF SHALL INSTALL AND INCORPORATE IN SUCH
BUILDING, ESTABLISHMENT, INSTITUTION OR PUBLIC UTILITY, SUCH ARCHITECTURAL FACILITIES OR STRUCTURAL
FEATURES AS SHALL REASONABLY ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF DISABLED PERSONS SUCH AS SIDEWALKS, RAMPS,
RAILINGS AND THE LIKE. IF FEASIBLE, ALL SUCH EXISTING BUILDINGS, INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHMENTS, OR PUBLIC
UTILITIES MAY BE RENOVATED OR ALTERED TO ENABLE THE DISABLED PERSONS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THEM: PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT BUILDINGS, INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHMENTS, OR PUBLIC UTILITIES TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR
ESTABLISHED FOR WHICH LICENSES OR PERMITS HAD ALREADY BEEN ISSUED MAY COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THIS LAW: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IN CASE OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, THE
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS SHALL SEE TO IT THAT THE SAME SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH
ARCHITECTURAL FACILITIES OR STRUCTURAL FEATURES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
IN THE CASE OF THE PARKING PLACE OF ANY OF THE ABOVE INSTITUTIONS, BUILDINGS, OR ESTABLISHMENTS, OR PUBLIC
UTILITIES, THE OWNER OR OPERATOR SHALL RESERVE SUFFICIENT AND SUITABLE SPACE FOR THE USE OF DISABLED
PERSONS.
SECTION 2
IN CASE OF PUBLIC CONVEYANCE, DEVICES SUCH AS THE PROMINENT DISPLAY OF POSTERS OR STICKERS SHALL BE USED
TO GENERATE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED AND FOSTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR SPECIAL
NEEDS. SPECIAL BUS STOPS SHALL BE DESIGNED FOR DISABLED PERSONS. DISCRIMINATING AGAINST DISABLED PERSONS
IN THE CARRIAGE OR TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS IS HEREBY DECLARED UNLAWFUL.
SECTION 3
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS AND THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, IN
COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL COMMISSION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS, SHALL PREPARE THE NECESSARY
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
SECTION 4
ANY PERSON VIOLATING ANY PROVISION OF THIS ACT OR OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED HEREUNDER
SHALL, UPON CONVICTION BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, SUFFER THE PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT OF
NOT LESS THAN ONE MONTH BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR OR A FINE OF P2,000 TO P5,000 OR BOTH, AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE COURT: PROVIDED, THAT IN THE CASE OF CORPORATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, COOPERATIVES OR
ASSOCIATIONS, THE PRESIDENT, MANAGER OR ADMINISTRATOR, OR THE PERSON WHO HAS CHARGE OF THE
CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF THE BUILDING, SPACE OR UTILITIES SHALL BE CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE
FOR ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ACT AND/OR RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED PURSUANT THERETO.
SECTION 5
ALL LAWS, EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS INCONSISTENT WITH THE FOREGOING
PROVISIONS ARE HEREBY REPEALED OR AMENDED ACCORDINGLY.
SECTION 6
THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT UPON ITS APPROVAL.

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II. ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES

DIMENSION: ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES SHOULD BE AT LEAST 3.6 METERS WIDE AND HAVE A NEARBY ACCESS
AISLE OF AT LEAST 1.2 METERS.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES, AND IT OUTLINES SPECIFIC DIMENSIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE SPACES
TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO USE
MOBILITY AIDS LIKE WHEELCHAIRS OR SCOOTERS. HERE'S AN EXPLANATION OF THE DIMENSIONS MENTIONED IN
THE RULE:

ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE WIDTH (3.6 METERS): THE WIDTH OF AN ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE SHOULD BE AT
LEAST 3.6 METERS (OR APPROXIMATELY 12 FEET). THIS WIDTH IS NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE THE SPECIFIC
NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IT PROVIDES ENOUGH SPACE FOR A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY TO
SAFELY EXIT AND ENTER THEIR VEHICLE, INCLUDING DEPLOYING RAMPS OR LIFTS FROM ACCESSIBLE VANS. IT
ALSO ALLOWS FOR MANEUVERING WHEELCHAIRS OR OTHER MOBILITY AIDS, ENSURING THAT PEOPLE CAN GET
IN AND OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES COMFORTABLY.

ACCESS AISLE WIDTH (1.2 METERS): ACCESS AISLES ARE THE ADJACENT SPACES OR ZONES NEXT TO ACCESSIBLE
PARKING SPACES. THESE AISLES SHOULD BE AT LEAST 1.2 METERS (OR APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET) WIDE. THE
ACCESS AISLE PROVIDES SEVERAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

IT ALLOWS SOMEONE USING A WHEELCHAIR, WALKER, OR OTHER MOBILITY AID TO HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO
GET IN AND OUT OF THEIR VEHICLE COMFORTABLY.
IT PROVIDES CLEARANCE FOR A VAN WITH A SIDE-LOADING WHEELCHAIR LIFT TO DEPLOY THE LIFT AND
MANEUVER THE PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.
IT SERVES AS A BUFFER ZONE TO PREVENT OTHER VEHICLES FROM PARKING TOO CLOSELY TO THE ACCESSIBLE
SPACE, ENSURING THAT THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM FOR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES TO BE USED.
THESE DIMENSIONS ARE SPECIFIED TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE NECESSARY
SPACE TO PARK, ACCESS THEIR VEHICLES, AND TRANSFER IN AND OUT OF THEM SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY.

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 COMPLIANCE WITH THESE DIMENSIONS IS ESSENTIAL TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY IN PARKING
AREAS, MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND USE
PUBLIC FACILITIES. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THESE DIMENSIONS MAY RESULT IN LEGAL VIOLATIONS AND A LACK
OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.

III. RAMPS AND SLOPES

DIMENSION: RAMPS SHOULD HAVE A SLOPE NOT STEEPER THAN 1:12.

PERTAINS TO RAMPS AND SLOPES, STATES THAT RAMPS SHOULD HAVE A SLOPE NOT STEEPER THAN 1:12. THIS
MEANS THAT FOR EVERY 12 UNITS OF HORIZONTAL DISTANCE ALONG THE RAMP, THE VERTICAL RISE SHOULD
NOT EXCEED 1 UNIT. IN SIMPLER TERMS, THE SLOPE SHOULD BE GRADUAL ENOUGH TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY
AND SAFETY FOR INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS, SUCH AS PEOPLE USING
WHEELCHAIRS, WALKERS, OR OTHER MOBILITY AIDS.

ACCESSIBILITY: ENSURING THAT RAMPS HAVE A GENTLE SLOPE IS ESSENTIAL FOR MAKING BUILDINGS,
FACILITIES, AND PUBLIC SPACES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH MOBILITY
IMPAIRMENTS. THIS ALLOWS PEOPLE USING WHEELCHAIRS, WALKERS, OR OTHER MOBILITY AIDS TO NAVIGATE
RAMPS COMFORTABLY AND INDEPENDENTLY.

SAFETY: STEEPER RAMPS CAN POSE SAFETY HAZARDS, PARTICULARLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
COMMON IN THE PHILIPPINES, SUCH AS HEAVY RAIN OR TYPHOONS. A 1:12 SLOPE PROVIDES BETTER STABILITY
AND REDUCES THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS, MAKING IT SAFER FOR EVERYONE.

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 LEGAL COMPLIANCE: THE PHILIPPINES, LIKE MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, MAY HAVE BUILDING CODES,
REGULATIONS, OR ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS IN PLACE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ACCESSIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS. ADHERING TO THESE STANDARDS IS IMPORTANT TO MEET LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND PROMOTE
INCLUSIVITY IN PUBLIC SPACES.

IV. DOORWAYS AND ENTRANCES

DIMENSION: DOORWAYS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH OF 0.9 METERS.
DOORWAYS AND ENTRANCES, SPECIFIES THAT DOORWAYS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH OF 0.9
METERS (OR 90 CENTIMETERS). THIS REQUIREMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY AND
INCLUSIVITY IN BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC SPACES. LET'S DIVE INTO A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THIS RULE:

ACCESSIBILITY: THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS RULE IS TO PROVIDE EASY ACCESS FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING
INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS, SUCH AS THOSE USING WHEELCHAIRS OR WALKERS. A MINIMUM
CLEAR WIDTH OF 0.9 METERS ENSURES THAT DOORWAYS ARE WIDE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THESE USERS,
ALLOWING THEM TO ENTER AND EXIT BUILDINGS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.

CLEAR WIDTH: THE "CLEAR WIDTH" OF A DOORWAY REFERS TO THE UNOBSTRUCTED SPACE BETWEEN THE
DOOR FRAME AND ANY ADJACENT WALLS OR STRUCTURES WHEN THE DOOR IS FULLY OPEN. THIS
MEASUREMENT IS CRUCIAL BECAUSE IT ACCOUNTS FOR THE SPACE NEEDED TO MANEUVER A WHEELCHAIR OR
OTHER MOBILITY AIDS THROUGH THE DOORWAY.

INDEPENDENCE: A 0.9-METER-WIDE DOORWAY ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO NAVIGATE

INDEPENDENTLY, WITHOUT REQUIRING ASSISTANCE TO PASS THROUGH THE ENTRANCE. THIS PROMOTES
DIGNITY AND INCLUSIVITY.

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 SAFETY: IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, A WIDER DOORWAY CAN FACILITATE QUICKER AND SAFER EGRESS,
ENSURING THAT ALL OCCUPANTS CAN EXIT THE BUILDING PROMPTLY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR MOBILITY STATUS.

V. ELEVATORS
DIMENSION: ELEVATORS SHOULD BE SPACIOUS ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE A WHEELCHAIR USER.

THE PRINCIPLE THAT ELEVATORS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR USERS IS AN

INTEGRAL ASPECT OF ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN MANY COUNTRIES. THIS REQUIREMENT ENSURES THAT
PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS, SUCH AS WHEELCHAIR USERS, CAN ACCESS DIFFERENT PARTS OF
BUILDINGS WITHOUT IMPEDIMENT.

ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS: ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE ELEVATORS TO BE

DESIGNED WITH SUFFICIENT SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR USERS. THESE STANDARDS TYPICALLY
SPECIFY DIMENSIONS AND FEATURES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.

DOOR WIDTH: ELEVATOR ENTRANCE DOORS SHOULD BE WIDE ENOUGH TO PERMIT THE PASSAGE OF A
WHEELCHAIR WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. THIS ALLOWS FOR INDEPENDENT ACCESS AND EGRESS FOR INDIVIDUALS
USING WHEELCHAIRS.

INTERIOR SPACE: ELEVATOR CABINS SHOULD PROVIDE AMPLE INTERIOR SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE A
WHEELCHAIR AND ALLOW FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS TO MANEUVER COMFORTABLY. THIS INCLUDES SUFFICIENT
FLOOR AREA AND TURNING SPACE.

CLEAR FLOOR SPACE: ELEVATOR CABINS SHOULD HAVE CLEAR FLOOR SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE A WHEELCHAIR
SECURELY, AND THIS SPACE SHOULD BE FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS, ALLOWING FOR SAFE AND EASY
MOVEMENT WITHIN THE ELEVATOR.

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 CONTROL ACCESSIBILITY: ELEVATOR CONTROLS AND HANDRAILS SHOULD BE POSITIONED AT APPROPRIATE
HEIGHTS AND LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CABIN, ENSURING THAT USERS WITH DISABILITIES CAN REACH AND USE
THEM COMFORTABLY.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE: COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL OR LOCAL ACCESSIBILITY LAWS AND STANDARDS IS
ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT ELEVATORS MEET THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCOMMODATING
WHEELCHAIR USERS. THESE REGULATIONS AIM TO PROMOTE EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS.

VI. DIMENSIONS IN BP 344: BP 344 PROVIDES SPECIFIC DIMENSIONS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY. HERE ARE SOME KEY
DIMENSIONS:
 DIMENSION 1: CORRIDOR WIDTH
STANDARD: CORRIDORS SHOULD BE AT LEAST 1.2 METERS WIDE TO ALLOW UNHINDERED WHEELCHAIR
MOVEMENT.

THE STANDARD THAT CORRIDORS SHOULD BE AT LEAST 1.2 METERS WIDE TO ALLOW UNHINDERED
WHEELCHAIR MOVEMENT IS A CRUCIAL ASPECT OF BUILDING DESIGN FOR ACCESSIBILITY. THIS
REQUIREMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR ENSURING THAT INDIVIDUALS USING WHEELCHAIRS OR OTHER MOBILITY
AIDS CAN COMFORTABLY AND SAFELY NAVIGATE INDOOR SPACES.

ACCESSIBILITY: THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO PROVIDE UNIMPEDED ACCESS FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE USING WHEELCHAIRS. A MINIMUM
CORRIDOR WIDTH OF 1.2 METERS ENSURES THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS CAN MOVE THROUGH THE CORRIDOR
WITHOUT HINDRANCE OR DIFFICULTY. IT PROMOTES UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY, ALLOWING EVERYONE TO
USE THE SPACE INDEPENDENTLY AND WITH DIGNITY.

UNHINDERED MOVEMENT: A 1.2-METER-WIDE CORRIDOR OFFERS SUFFICIENT SPACE FOR A WHEELCHAIR

USER TO MANEUVER, TURN, AND NAVIGATE COMFORTABLY. IT ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR COMPLEX,
TIGHT TURNS OR AWKWARD POSITIONING, WHICH CAN BE CHALLENGING AND FRUSTRATING FOR
WHEELCHAIR USERS IN NARROWER SPACES.

SAFETY: WIDER CORRIDORS PROVIDE BETTER VISIBILITY AND REDUCE THE RISK OF COLLISIONS OR
ACCIDENTS WHEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE, INCLUDING WHEELCHAIR USERS, USE THE CORRIDOR
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 SIMULTANEOUSLY. IT ALSO FACILITATES QUICK AND UNOBSTRUCTED PASSAGE, ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS.

VARIATIONS IN SPACE: CORRIDOR WIDTH REQUIREMENTS MAY VARY BASED ON THE TYPE AND USE OF THE
BUILDING. FOR EXAMPLE, IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WIDER CORRIDORS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE LARGER EQUIPMENT OR ACCOMMODATE THE MOVEMENT OF MULTIPLE
PEOPLE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONSULT LOCAL BUILDING CODES TO DETERMINE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

USER COMFORT: A WIDER CORRIDOR NOT ONLY BENEFITS WHEELCHAIR USERS BUT ALSO PROVIDES A
MORE COMFORTABLE AND PLEASANT EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OCCUPANTS. IT REDUCES CONGESTION,
IMPROVES THE FLOW OF PEOPLE, AND MAKES THE ENVIRONMENT MORE USER-FRIENDLY.

 DIMENSION 2: HANDRAIL HEIGHT

STANDARD: HANDRAILS SHOULD BE MOUNTED BETWEEN 0.85 METERS AND 0.95 METERS FROM
THE FLOOR.
THE STANDARD THAT HANDRAILS SHOULD BE MOUNTED BETWEEN 0.85 METERS AND 0.95 METERS
FROM THE FLOOR IS A CRITICAL ASPECT OF BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, PARTICULARLY
FOR ENSURING SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY. LET'S EXPLORE THIS REQUIREMENT IN MORE DETAIL:

ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY: HANDRAILS ARE ESSENTIAL FEATURES IN BUILDINGS, PRIMARILY FOR
PROVIDING SUPPORT, STABILITY, AND SAFETY FOR PEOPLE NAVIGATING STAIRS, RAMPS, OR ANY
CHANGES IN ELEVATION. PLACING HANDRAILS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED HEIGHT RANGE OF 0.85
METERS (85 CENTIMETERS) TO 0.95 METERS (95 CENTIMETERS) FROM THE FLOOR ENSURES THAT
INDIVIDUALS OF VARIOUS HEIGHTS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS, CAN
COMFORTABLY AND SAFELY USE THEM. IT ALSO PROMOTES ACCESSIBILITY BY ACCOMMODATING A
WIDE RANGE OF USERS, INCLUDING THOSE USING WHEELCHAIRS OR OTHER MOBILITY AIDS.

HANDRAIL HEIGHT VARIABILITY: THE HEIGHT RANGE OF 0.85 TO 0.95 METERS CONSIDERS THE
VARIABILITY IN USER HEIGHTS. WHILE IT'S COMMON FOR MOST PEOPLE TO USE HANDRAILS AT A
HEIGHT AROUND 0.9 METERS, INDIVIDUALS COME IN DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, AND SOME MAY
REQUIRE A SLIGHTLY HIGHER OR LOWER HANDRAIL FOR IT TO BE EFFECTIVE AND COMFORTABLE
FOR THEM.

INDEPENDENCE: PROPERLY POSITIONED HANDRAILS ENABLE INDIVIDUALS TO MAINTAIN THEIR

BALANCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN ASCENDING OR DESCENDING STAIRS OR RAMPS. THIS ADDED
SUPPORT ALLOWS USERS TO MOVE INDEPENDENTLY, REDUCING THE RISK OF FALLS OR ACCIDENTS.
VII. STANDARDS IN BP 344: BP 344 SETS STANDARDS FOR VARIOUS ELEMENTS. HERE ARE A FEW STANDARDS:
 STANDARD 1: SIGNAGE
REQUIREMENT: SIGNAGE SHOULD INCLUDE BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS.

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PERTAINS TO SIGNAGE, MANDATES THAT SIGNAGE SHOULD INCLUDE BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS. THIS
REQUIREMENT IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF CREATING AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS. LET'S EXPLORE THIS STANDARD IN MORE DETAIL:

ACCESSIBILITY: THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL
IMPAIRMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION, CAN ACCESS AND NAVIGATE INDOOR
SPACES INDEPENDENTLY. INCLUDING BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS ON SIGNAGE PROVIDES THEM WITH
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR SURROUNDINGS.

BRAILLE: BRAILLE IS A WRITING SYSTEM USED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS TO READ THROUGH
TOUCH. INCLUDING BRAILLE CHARACTERS ON SIGNAGE ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND TO ACCESS
INFORMATION SUCH AS ROOM NUMBERS, RESTROOM SIGNS, DIRECTIONS, AND OTHER IMPORTANT
MESSAGES.

TACTILE CHARACTERS: TACTILE CHARACTERS ARE RAISED OR EMBOSSED CHARACTERS THAT CAN BE FELT BY
TOUCH. THESE CHARACTERS ARE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH BRAILLE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THOSE
WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS WHO MAY NOT READ BRAILLE. TACTILE CHARACTERS CAN CONVEY TEXT AND
OTHER INFORMATION THAT CAN BE FELT BY HAND.

INDEPENDENCE: BY PROVIDING SIGNAGE WITH BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS, INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL
IMPAIRMENTS CAN INDEPENDENTLY IDENTIFY ROOMS, FIND FACILITIES, ACCESS IMPORTANT INFORMATION,
AND NAVIGATE WITHIN A BUILDING WITHOUT RELYING ON ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE: MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE PHILIPPINES, HAVE ESTABLISHED ACCESSIBILITY
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE USE OF BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS ON SIGNAGE IN
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND SPACES. COMPLYING WITH THESE STANDARDS IS ESSENTIAL TO MEET LEGAL
OBLIGATIONS AND CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN: INCORPORATING BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS INTO SIGNAGE IS AN EXAMPLE OF
UNIVERSAL DESIGN, WHICH BENEFITS NOT ONLY THOSE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS BUT ALSO OTHER
INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY READING OR UNDERSTANDING WRITTEN INFORMATION DUE TO
LANGUAGE BARRIERS OR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS.

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CONSISTENCY AND CLARITY: THE USE OF STANDARDIZED BRAILLE AND TACTILE CHARACTERS ENSURES THAT
SIGNAGE IS CONSISTENT AND CLEAR, PROMOTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR ALL BUILDING
OCCUPANTS.

 STANDARD 2: RESTROOMS
REQUIREMENT: ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS SHOULD HAVE GRAB BARS, AN ACCESSIBLE SINK, AND ENOUGH SPACE
FOR A WHEELCHAIR USER TO MANEUVER.

ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS, OUTLINES SEVERAL REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THAT RESTROOMS ARE DESIGNED TO
BE INCLUSIVE AND USABLE BY INDIVIDUALS WITH A RANGE OF MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS.
GRAB BARS: GRAB BARS ARE ESSENTIAL FEATURES IN ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS, PARTICULARLY FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS. THESE BARS ARE TYPICALLY INSTALLED NEAR THE TOILET AND IN
THE SHOWER AREA. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRAB BARS INCLUDE:

NEAR THE TOILET: GRAB BARS SHOULD BE INSTALLED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TOILET. THESE BARS PROVIDE
SUPPORT AND STABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHEN TRANSFERRING TO AND FROM THE TOILET. THEY HELP
PREVENT SLIPS AND FALLS AND PROMOTE INDEPENDENT USE OF THE RESTROOM.

IN THE SHOWER OR BATHING AREA: GRAB BARS IN THE SHOWER OR BATHING AREA ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN
MAINTAINING BALANCE WHILE SHOWERING. THEY ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED TO HELP WITHSTANDING UP,
SITTING DOWN, OR MOVING AROUND SAFELY.

ACCESSIBLE SINK: ACCESSIBLE SINKS ARE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS
OR HAVE LIMITED MOBILITY. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ACCESSIBLE SINK INCLUDE:

HEIGHT: THE SINK SHOULD BE INSTALLED AT A HEIGHT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS USING
WHEELCHAIRS. THIS TYPICALLY MEANS A LOWER MOUNTING HEIGHT TO ENSURE THAT A PERSON IN A
WHEELCHAIR CAN EASILY REACH THE SINK AND ITS CONTROLS.

KNEE CLEARANCE: THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE KNEE CLEARANCE BENEATH THE SINK TO ACCOMMODATE A
WHEELCHAIR USER. THIS PROVIDES SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO COMFORTABLY ROLL THEIR WHEELCHAIR
UNDER THE SINK AND ACCESS THE FAUCET AND SINK BASIN.

FAUCET CONTROLS: FAUCET CONTROLS SHOULD BE OPERABLE WITH MINIMAL FORCE OR DEXTERITY, MAKING
IT EASY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED HAND MOBILITY TO USE THE SINK.

SPACE FOR WHEELCHAIR MANEUVERABILITY: IN AN ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM, THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT

SPACE FOR A WHEELCHAIR USER TO MANEUVER. THIS MEANS THAT THE LAYOUT OF THE RESTROOM SHOULD
ALLOW A PERSON USING A WHEELCHAIR TO ENTER, TURN AROUND, AND ACCESS VARIOUS FIXTURES,
INCLUDING THE TOILET AND SINK, WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION.

ADEQUATE FLOOR SPACE: THE RESTROOM SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH FLOOR SPACE FOR A WHEELCHAIR USER TO
MAKE A 180-DEGREE TURN, ENSURING THEY CAN ACCESS ALL FIXTURES WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.

MANEUVERING CLEARANCE AT FIXTURES: CLEARANCES AROUND FIXTURES, SUCH AS THE TOILET AND SINK,
SHOULD ALLOW A WHEELCHAIR USER TO APPROACH, USE, AND EXIT THESE FIXTURES COMFORTABLY.

ACCESSIBLE LAYOUT: THE LAYOUT OF THE RESTROOM SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE TIGHT CORNERS,
NARROW DOORWAYS, AND OTHER BARRIERS THAT COULD HINDER WHEELCHAIR USERS' MOVEMENT.
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