BARRIERS AND

ARCHITECHTURAL
MODIFICATION

Inosha Bimali
Lecturer
KUSMS
Guidelines to design facilities and equipment
to be used by person with disabilities
 Reach range
Forward reach
Over obstruction
Side reach for wheelchair users
White Cane Range
Common Reach Zone
 Wheelchair Dimensions

04/02/08 SHWETA BODKHE

Walkway width for people using crutch
Circulation Dimensions
Vision Zone
 Heights for people

• W/C user average height of person is generally

less than 1200 mm

• Standing person Height of person is generally

less than 2000mm
 Fundamental needs
• The target group composed of four major
categories:
– People with impaired mobility
– People with visual impairment
– People with hearing impairment
– People with learning disabilities and mental
retardation
 People with impaired vision
Orientation can be aided by
marking with the use of color,
illumination and in certain
cases, the texture of material
Design and plan
arrangement should be
simple and uncomplicated

Place higher than 2000mm

• Contrasting colors and warning blocks should
be used to aid the identification aid the
identification of doors, stairs, ramps,
passageways, etc.
• Surfaces can be varied to indicate pathway,
changes of direction etc
• Orientation cues should be specially
illuminated
• Handrails can be used as a location aid
• Glare sensitivity- avoid unwanted glaring and
mirroring effects
• Difficulty in reading signs and other printed
matter--- provide Braille / printed information
 People with hearing impaired
• People with impaired hearing have particular difficulty
in comprehending sounds and words in the
environment.

• Rooms should be acoustically well insulated

• Loud speaking system should be clearly audible

• Supplementary visual information can be provided

• Lip reading – good overall light non reflective
• Audible signal may be supplemented with visual
signals
• Loop induction unit– to improve reception in
people using hearing aids
• Infrared sound reinforcement system can be used
to prevent sound overspill from one area to
another
• People with learning disability and mental
retardation
• Person may find it difficult to perceive,
comprehend, or interpret information such as
signs
• They may stumble easily over even minor bumps
and fall heavily
• It is difficult to meet all the needs but
minimum provision could be
– Clear and easy to grasp information as an aid to
orientation
– Even road surface
 Building component and spaces
• Space allowances

Forward approach

Clear Floor Space

 Floor surface
• Should be stable, firm, level, and slip resistant
• Should not have any drops, projections, or
unexpected variations in levels
• Carpets
– Securely fixed
– Firm cushion pad or backing
– Trimmed edges
 Approach to Building

• Place for alight and board should be at level of

approach for disabled
• Transfer from vehicle to pavement – blended
to a common level or ramped
• Difference in level between footway and
driveway should be avoided
 Passenger Alighting and Boarding
point
• Should provide an access aisle of at least
1500mm wide by 6000mm long adjacent and
parallel to the vehicle pull space

• Curb ramp

• Sheltered if possible
 Access to Building
• One accessible entrance door
• Preferably through main entrance
• Symbols should be displayed
• One accessible route leading to accessible
entrance
• Width of entrance 900mmm and of corridors
leading to it 1200mm or more
Access to Building
Width
Protruding Object
 Grating

W/C castor width

Grating width
 Doors
• Should be leveled
• Swing and sliding
type
• Opening width 900
mm for side hung
doors
• Bathroom doors
should be outside
opening
 Doors
• Thresholds – should be
avoided (20mm)
• Double leaf doors
• Maneuvering space at doors–
should be free of obstruction
• On pull side minimum space
of 600mm
• On push side min space of
300mm
 Signage
To facilitate orientation mainly
for the disabled.
Signage include direction signs,
signs of locality, street names
and numbering, information
signs, etc.
All types of signs should be
visible, clear, simple, easy to
read and understand, and
properly lit at night.
.
Service identification sign
• In general, signs should not be placed behind

glass because of possible reflection

• Signage placed on the pedestrian path of

travel are considered obstructions; thus, they

should be detectable
Summary and Conclusion
 Becoming aware of our own
perceptions, stereotypes and
discomforts around particular
disabilities is the first step towards
addressing subtle biases that could
possibly be projected onto
individuals with disabilities. Our
own beliefs and comfort level
around disability has a major impact
on how we view, interact and provide
service and programs to individuals
with disabilities