6&7&10-Feb Architecture Barrier (All notes combined)

 

Understanding Architectural Barriers and Rehabilitation in Housing

• Definition of Architectural Barriers:

  • Physical features that limit or prevent people with disabilities from accessing goods or services necessary for daily living.

• Integral Role of Rehabilitation:

  • Rehabilitation must ensure independence by enabling individuals to live in accessible environments.

• Etymology of Housing:

  • A specialized field of sociology involving consumer participation in environmental design.

• Definition of Housing Studies:

  • Study of the spatial aspects of the symbiotic relationship between individuals and institutions.

• Scope of Housing Studies:

  • Encompasses social, psychological, and economic aspects of family living, as well as design and industrial production.

• Process of Environmental Modification:

  1. Needs Assessment and Prioritization:
     • Determine the individual's requirements and prioritize modifications accordingly.
  2. Designing Modifications:
     • Develop tailored solutions to address identified barriers.
  3. Securing Funds and Implementation:
     • Mobilize necessary resources and execute the planned modifications.

• Ensuring Accessibility and Independence:

  • The ultimate goal is to create environments that empower individuals to live independently despite physical challenges.

  Accessibility Features in Architectural Design

  • Entrance Doors:
    • Entrance door width should be a minimum of 2 feet 10 inches if opening 180 degrees, otherwise, 3 feet.
    • Ensuring easy access for wheelchair users is essential.
  • Horizontal Sliding Folding Doors:
    • Easier to operate from a sitting position.
    • Eliminates hazards, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
  • Automatic Sensor Doors:
    • Many public buildings are equipped with sensors that open doors automatically upon detecting approaching individuals.
    • Enhances accessibility without requiring physical effort.
  • Door Knobs:
    • Round, oval, polished, and flat door knobs are challenging for individuals with hand impairments.
    • Recommending non-slippery grips with a power grip design to prevent catching clothes.
  • Safety Glass Vision Panels:
    • Recommended on doors to enable spotting of approaching disabled individuals from the other side.
  • Toilet Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PWD):
    • Separate toilet facilities with doors that can be opened from the outside in emergencies.
  • Stairs Design:
    • Ideal stairs feature a 6-inch riser and a 10-inch tread, ensuring a comfortable descent.
    • Uniform riser height across all steps.
  • Handrails:
    • Provided on both sides of stairs, positioned approximately 30 to 40 inches from the surface and 1.5 inches from the wall.
    • Enhances safety and stability for individuals navigating stairs.
  • Lighting on Stairways:
    • Lighting is provided both at the top and bottom of stairways to minimize shadows and improve visibility.
  • Flooring:
    • Avoid carpeting to prevent tripping hazards and ensure ease of movement, especially for wheelchair users.

Accessibility Features in Various Areas

• Ramps:
  • Most wheelchair users can manage slopes of 5 to 8.3 degrees without assistance.
  • Ramps longer than 30 feet should have 5 × 5 feet resting platforms between sections.
  • Handrails should be at least 24 inches for children and 32 inches for adult wheelchair users.
• Elevators:
  • Self-service elevators should automatically level at landings.
  • Doors and stairs should slide automatically with delayed closing.
  • An emergency alarm system and telephone should be installed.
  • The control panel height should be convenient for wheelchair users.
• Kerbs:
  • Placed with ramps and designed to be non-slippery and colored for visibility.
• Flooring:
  • Should be non-slippery and free from uneven joints or bumps.
  • Avoid heavily patterned designs that may affect depth perception.
  • In bathrooms, unglazed ceramic floors with smaller tiles for friction are recommended.
  • Carpets should be avoided or have a thickness not exceeding 0.5 inches.
• Windows:
  • Avoid windows projecting beyond walls.
  • Window sills should be low, ideally between 28 and 38 inches high.
  • Window handles should be easily reachable from sitting or standing positions.
• Lighting:
  • All lights should be controlled by wall switches.
  • Switches should be uniformly located at 2 feet 10 inches to 3 feet from the ground.
  • Adequate lighting should be present near entrance doors.
• Kitchen:
  • Efficiently arrange the three basic work centers in a U-shape configuration.
  • Allow a minimum of 5 feet width for wheelchair maneuverability.
  • Wall storage cabinets should be at a height accessible from a sitting position.

Accessibility Considerations for Bathrooms

• Importance of Bathroom Planning:
  • Bathrooms pose more hazards than other rooms, necessitating careful planning.
• Bathroom Size:
  • Should be broader than normal, with a minimum area of 40 to 50 square feet.
• Accessibility Features for Bathtub and Shower:
  • Bathtubs and showers should be accessible to disabled persons, with features such as hand-held showers.
  • The bathtub should be at the same level as the shower to facilitate entry and exit.
• Grab Bars:
  • Grab bars capable of supporting 200 to 150 kg should be installed at the bathtub, shower, water closet, and elsewhere in the bathroom.
• Height Considerations:
  • The lavatory should be set 2 feet above the floor, with grab bars attached as necessary for support.
• Preference for Western-style Closets:
  • Western-type closets are preferred over Indian toilets due to their suitability for individuals with neurological and orthopedic disorders who may have difficulty squatting.

Accessibility Considerations for Various Settings

• Study Office:
  • The office table should be 2 inches higher than the wheelchair.
  • Arrange books at reachable heights.
  • Ensure adequate lighting for good visibility.
• Living Room:
  • The front door should be easily operable, preferably electronically.
  • The room should be spacious for wheelchair maneuverability, with removable furniture for transfers.
• Furniture Modification:
  • Modify furniture to suit individual needs, considering diagnosis, age, and maintenance.
  • Prevent deformities and ensure adaptability for growth.
  • Consider cost, space, and room size.
• Public Places:
  • Provide standard and specific phones for physically impaired individuals, including adjustable amplifiers and push-button dials.
  • Modify transportation vehicles with higher car seats, proper footrests, removable doors, and storage space for crutches.
  • Ensure wider parking spaces.
  • Restaurants should have ramps or elevators, wide enough doors for wheelchair access, and additional seating near entrances and exits.
• Visual Disability Environment:
  • Display information on large screens in public places.
  • Enlarge and make screens inside telephones more visible.
• Auditory Disability Environment:
  • Provide assisted devices such as vibratory mode notifications and SMS on cell phones.
• Accessibility for Disabled Children:
  • During the learning phase, ensure objects for stabilization are easily accessible.