Accessible Environment for People with Disabilities

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Accessible Environment for People with
Disabilities

2006
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Outdoor Environment Barriers - Kerbs
Kerbs are obvious barriers for wheelchair users.
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Outdoor Environment Barriers - Kerbs
Obstacles are obvious barriers for wheelchair
users.
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Outdoor Environment Barriers Pavement
Conditions
Roads and pavements in bad conditions are
potential hazards to wheelchair users.
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Outdoor Environment Dropped Kerbs
Solutions

• According to the Buildings Departments Design
  Manual - Barrier Free Access 1997-
• Dropped kerbs shall be not less than 1.2m in
  length and 1.28m in width.
• Dropped kerbs shall be ramped at a gradient not
  steeper than 1 in 6 and there shall be a space of
  not less than 800mm long behind the dropped
  kerbs.
• Kerbs adjoining dropped kerbs shall be ramped at
  a gradient not steeper than 1 in 6.
• A 10 mm level change shall be provided at every
  interface of the dropped kerbs and vehicular
  areas.

Examples of Dropped Kerbs
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Outdoor Environment Dropped Kerbs
Solutions
Examples of Dropped Kerbs
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Outdoor Environment Barriers - Steps
Steps are obvious problems for wheelchair users.
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Outdoor Environment - Ramps
Solutions
A Ramp with Handrails on both sides and Tactile
Warning Strips at its end.
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Outdoor Environment - Ramps
Solutions
A long ramp must be provided with intermediate
landings for wheelchair users to take a rest,
here are some references of suitable gradients
for a ramp.
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Barriers at Entrance
Problems
Wheelchair users have difficulties gaining access
to this supermarkets.
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Main Entrance - Doors
Good Examples of Main Entrance Door
Automatic Sliding Doors enhancing the
accessibility of wheelchair users
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Circulation Corridor Lobby
Corridors must be wide enough to be accessible
for a wheelchair user, or for someone on
crutches, and for someone using a walking frame
The minimum turning circle of 1500mm for
wheelchair user to turn easily
Ambulant Disabled People, Utilization Space for
Forward Movement
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Circulation Corridor Lobby
Dimensions for doors opening onto the corridor

• According to the Buildings Departments Design
  Manual - Barrier Free Access 1997, space shall be
  allowed for maneuvering wheelchairs in corridors
  and similar areas as follows-
• Areas shall have a clear width of not less than
  1.05m.
• A space not less than 1.5 m x 1.5 m shall be
  provided at or within 3.5 m of every dead end.
• Any lobby in a corridor shall not be less than
  1.2m long, excluding the space for door swings.
• A level area, extending not less than 1.2 m
  beyond the swings of the doors and not less than
  1.5 m in width shall be provided on both sides of
  every entrance of a building.

Critical dimensions for corners and width of
corridor.
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Vertical Transportation Barriers - Lift

• Problems
• Size of lift car too small.
• Lift doors too narrow and doors closed too
  quickly.
• Lift call and control buttons too high.
• No Braille or tactile indications on lift buttons.

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Vertical Transportation - Lift
Solutions
Minimum Dimensions Lift car size min. 1200mm X
1100mm Lift door width min. 750mm
Recommended Dimensions Lift car size 1500mm X
1400mm Lift door width 850mm
Recommended door opening time 5 seconds
Recommended door closing speed 0.5 metre per
second
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Vertical Transportation - Lift
Solutions

• According to the Buildings Departments Design
  Manual - Barrier Free Access 1997-
• Essential lift control buttons (i.e. floor
  numbers, emergency alarm push button, controls to
  activate intercom, and door opening/closing push
  button) in the lift car and the lift call buttons
  at the lift hall shall not be less than 900mm and
  not more than 1200mm above the floor of the car
  or the finished floor level of the lift hall.
• Braille and tactile floor numbers and indications
  shall be placed either on or to the left of the
  control buttons.
• The emergency alarm push button shall be in
  tactile bell shape.

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Vertical Circulation Barriers - Stairs
Examples of Stairs with Problems
Stair steps without Contrasting Colour Nosings
can create potential hazards to People with
Visual Impairment
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Vertical Circulation Barriers - Stairs
Examples of Stairs with Problems
Stairs without Continuous Handrails on both sides
can create potential hazards to People with
Visual Impairment and People using Crutches and
Walking Sticks
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Vertical Circulation - Stairs
Solutions
Avoid projecting nosing. Nosing which do not
protrude are easier to manage.
Critical dimensions for treads and risers.
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Vertical Circulation - Stairs
Solutions
Suggested sizes, dimensions and location of
Handrails to Stairs.
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Vertical Circulation - Stairs
Good Examples of Stairs
Stair steps with Contrasting Colour Nosings
reduce potential hazards to People with Visual
Impairment
Railings installed below staircases reduce
potential hazards to People with Visual Impairment
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Vertical Circulation - Stairs
Good Examples of Stairs
Staircase with handrails on both sides and
tactile warning strips located at landings.
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Vertical Circulation - Stairs
Good Examples of Stairs
Staircase handrails with Braille and tactile
indications to enhance accessibility for People
with Visual Impairment
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Barriers in Toilets
Examples of Disabled Toilets with Problems
Disabled toilets without sufficient space for
wheelchairs to turn creates physical barriers for
wheelchair users.
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Barriers in Toilets
Examples of Disabled Toilets with Problems
The locations of railings and grab bars should be
designed at the most appropriate locations in
order to assist the disabled in transfers to and
from the W.C..
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Toilets for People with Disabilities
Transfer Options
Sideways across the wheelchair, with the
wheelchair backed or driven to the rear wall
From the front of the wheelchair, head on
transfer using rails to pivot from the wheelchair
to the WC.
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Toilets for People with Disabilities
Transfer Options
Sideways from the front of the wheelchair,
oblique transfer using rails or grasping the WC.
Size of a Preferred Accessible Toilet Compartment

• According to the Buildings Department Design
  Manual - Barrier Free Access 1997-
• The toilet cubicle for people with disabilities
  should not be less than 1.5m x 1.75m in size.

Recommended size of disabled toilet
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Toilets for People with Disabilities
Dimensions of Disabled Toilet
Obligatory Design Requirement of Disabled Toilet
According to Buildings Departments Design
Manual Barrier Free Access 1997
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Toilets for People with Disabilities
Dimensions of Disabled Toilet
Recommended Components inside Disabled Toilet
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Toilets for People with Disabilities
Other Accessories and Facilities
There shall be at least 2 set of handrails, with
external diameter ranged between 32mm 40mm,
fixed on the wall, leaving a clear gripping space
of not less than 30mm from that wall. One hinged
handrail can be folded up when not in use, which
shall be located at a height of 750 mm above the
finished floor level when lowered.
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Toilets for People with Disabilities
Good Examples of Accessible Toilets/Bathrooms
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Entrance Barriers - Doors
Wheelchair users cannot pass through narrow
doorways.
Thresholds and Steps are barriers to wheelchair
users.
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Entrance - Doors
Solutions
Some critical dimensions reference. Door should
have a clear width of not less than 750 mm
between the open door and opposite jamb or the
other leaf.
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Entrance - Doors
Solutions
Foldable metal hinged ramp can be added to
facilitate wheelchair entry.
One section of floor can be raised to the level
of the other, thus eliminating the step
arrangement. (e.g. by leveling the toilet floor
with bedroom floor to facilitate operation of the
hoist unit)
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Living Room/Bedroom Windows
Good Examples of Accessible Windows
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Bedroom
Good Examples of Accessible Bedrooms
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Bedroom
Good Examples of Accessible Bedrooms
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Bedroom
Critical Dimensions for Wheelchair Access
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Bedroom - Wardrobes
Good Examples of Accessible Wardrobes
Critical Dimensions of Wardrobes for People with
Disabilities
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Kitchen
Good Examples of Accessible Kitchens
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Kitchen
Good Examples of Accessible Kitchens
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Kitchen
Good Examples of Accessible Kitchens
Enclosed Disposal Unit and Knee Space at Lower
Sink
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Bathroom
Good Examples of Accessible Bathrooms
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Bathroom
Good Examples of Accessible Bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers for
wheelchair users
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Bathroom
Good Examples of Accessible Bathrooms
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Inaccessible Living Unit
Examples in Thailand
People with Disabilities have difficulties using
the facilities inside the Inaccessible Living Unit
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Inaccessible Living Unit
Examples in Thailand
Inaccessible bathroom inside the Living Unit
Inaccessible wardrobe inside the Living Unit
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Accessible Living Unit
Good Examples in Singapore (Accessible Elderly
Housing Unit)
Wide corridor and lift lobby to facilitate
wheelchair users
Wide entrance door opening without thresholds or
steps to facilitate access
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Accessible Living Unit
Good Examples in Singapore
Plan
Living Room
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Accessible Living Unit
Good Examples in Singapore
Accessible Toilet/Bathroom
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Accessible Living Unit
Good Examples in Singapore
Accessible Kitchen, Toilet/Bathroom and Bedroom
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Other Provisions Public Facilities
Examples of Inaccessible Public Facilities
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Other Provisions Public Facilities
Good Examples of Public Facilities
Public facilities, such as Public Telephones,
Intercom, are recommended to be designed to suit
people using wheelchairs.
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Other Provisions Information Counter
Example of Information Counter with Problems
Information Counter higher than 750mm would be a
physical barrier for wheelchair users

• Guidelines for Information Counter
• Tactile guide path shall be provided from the
  Main Entrance to the Information Counter
• Tactile floor tiles shall be in contrasting
  colour from floor materials.
• One of the Information Counters shall not be
  higher than 750mm above finished floor level.

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Other Provisions Information Counter
Good Examples of Information Counters
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Other Provisions Eating
Examples of Seating with Problems
Fixed seating creates a physical barrier for
wheelchair users
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Other Provisions Eating
Critical Dimensions for Seating and Cafeteria Line
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Other Provisions Carpark Facilities
Space reserved for person with a disability shall
be marked with the International Symbol of
Accessibility and parking number. The dimensions
shall be minimum 3500mm (W) X 5000mm
(L). Dropped kerbs shall be provided nearby.
Car parking space for people using wheelchairs.
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Other Provisions Tactile Map Tactile
Guide Path
Tactile map and tactile guide path should be
provided to assist people with visual impairment.
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Other Provisions Signage
Different types of signs and graphics helping
people with disabilities.
Signs identifying Facilities and indicating its
Direction using the International Symbol of
Accessibility
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THANK YOU