In order to create a barrier-free environment in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment is currently amending existing building regulations that would apply to all buildings and facilities used by the public. They do not have equal access to basic resources such as education, employment, health care, and social and legal support systems, and have a higher mortality rate. Nevertheless, disability has remained largely invisible in the overall development agenda in many countries. An accessible environment allows people with disabilities to move freely and safely, using all facilities in the built environment, roads, parks, gardens and other places. The goal of accessible design is to create an environment that supports the autonomous functioning of individuals so that they can participate in all activities without assistance. Today, accessibility for all is recognized as a basic need, and efforts are being made around the world to achieve it. Accessibility is becoming fundamental to all design concepts today. There is a need to raise awareness of the need for barrier-free access. The current Code must be effectively implemented to remove barriers and open doors to an inclusive society. This new approach to design will create an environment that is accessible to all.
Design professionals can promote equal access by incorporating accessible and universal design features into a building`s design curriculum. Equal access begins at the programming and planning stage of a project and requires the consent of all stakeholders involved in the project. Crucial decisions are made during the initial programming and planning phase of a project, which have a major impact on the cost of equal access and, in some cases, may affect whether or not equal access can be achieved. For example, the orientation of a building on a site may affect the need to install a ramp to get to the entrance. All design professionals should be aware of the accessibility requirements that apply to the project. Design professionals can benefit from the support of consultants who specialize in accessibility requirements. A provision on accessibility design was also included in the Bhubaneswar Development Authority Construction Ordinance 2008. In addition, access control for various public buildings and urban spaces frequently visited by the public is necessary to promote an accessible built environment.
Access control includes the identification of obstacles related to the buildings` external and internal built environment, such as driveway, main gates, parking lots, building entrance, public commercial areas, corridors and general circulation areas. There is a widespread belief that a ramp and elevator are all that is needed to make a built space accessible. But accessibility has many other aspects, ranging from the width of doors and passages to the floor surface, from counter heights to door handles and ramps, and from signage to auditory signals. Access for persons with disabilities should be made accessible. Changing building regulations is the most important step in creating an accessible built environment in various cities, and guidelines for an accessible environment can be adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards and guidelines from the Ministry of Urban Development. With regard to non-discrimination in the built environment, the Act includes provisions on ramps in public buildings, adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users, Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators. curbs and slopes in walkways to facilitate wheelchair access; Engraving on the surface of the zebra passage for the blind or visually impaired. A small child, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, people with temporary disabilities, all are subject to barriers.
A list of design elements must be considered when creating a barrier-free environment, such as ramps, handrails and grab bars, elevators, signage, information and service counters, etc. Equal access eliminates discrimination and protects human rights. An accessible built environment provides opportunities for everyone to participate fully in their families, communities and society. Equal access offers individuals the opportunity to improve their quality of life and standard of living, those of their families and others around the world. Finally, equal access is required to varying degrees to meet applicable building codes, accessibility standards and accessibility guidelines. In India, more than 21 million people suffer from some type of disability. The Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation of Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995 marked the beginning of a new era in the lives of persons with disabilities. For the first time in independent India, a separate law was formulated that addressed the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. The law requires governments and local authorities to provide accessible facilities in all new government buildings and utilities, roads and transportation.
Equal access should be an integral part of the lifecycle process, not an afterthought, during: Department of Justice (DOJ) – The DOJ provides technical assistance with the ADA accessibility design standards and other ADA regulations that apply to public housing and commercial entities, including businesses, nonprofit service agencies, and state and local government programs and services; also includes information about filing ADA complaints. Many technical support letters are available online. Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities – This document provides zoning rules and technical requirements for accessibility of sites, facilities, buildings and features by persons with disabilities. The requirements apply to the design, construction, addition, and alteration of sites, facilities, buildings, and elements, as required by federal regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, state and local governments, public housing, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. Access can also be transparent for historic buildings. Photo courtesy of the U.S. General Services Administration Design and construction decisions affect accessibility. Individual building elements or systems should not be added, removed or modified at any time during the life of the building until they have been coordinated and evaluated with the other elements and systems of the whole building and with all stakeholders.
About one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. Persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that prevent them from participating fully and effectively in society. (Dr. Mayarani Praharaj works at the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar) For Americans with disabilities, access simply means being able to use, enjoy, and participate in many aspects of society, including work, commerce, and recreation. While removing architectural barriers may allow people with disabilities to move in and around a facility, other factors, such as transportation, affect their ability to fully participate in activities. Designers and other providers of services and goods must ensure equal access for all without compromising the needs of persons with disabilities. Department of Defense – ABA Accessibility Standard for DOD Facilities Wheelchair maneuvers, one of many animations found on the U.S. Access Board website. Image courtesy of U.S. Access Board.
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA): The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) requires that buildings and facilities designed, constructed or modified with federal funds, or leased from a federal agency, meet federal standards for physical accessibility. ABA requirements are limited to architectural standards for new and converted buildings, as well as newly leased facilities. They do not deal with activities carried out in these buildings and facilities. U.S. Postal Service facilities are covered by the ABA. The renovated post office at Ronald Reagan National Airport provides equal access to admission windows in Arlington, Virginia. Note the window on the far right. Before and after renovation photos by: Eric Taylor on behalf of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Accessible features must fit seamlessly into the design. All project stakeholders should work together from the outset to coordinate and optimize the design of the site and building.
A building and its location should be conceived as an integrated whole and not as a set of isolated systems (see also WBDG Functional – Ensure Appropriate Product / Systems Integration). The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on 3 December to promote accessibility, remove all types of barriers and ensure the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities. This year`s theme is “Breaking Barriers, Opening the Doors to an Inclusive Society and Development for All”. Special thanks to Lex Frieden for his inspiring words in the speech “Towards a world without obstacles for all” on 5 April 2001. Skilled and detail-oriented contractors are essential to ensure equal access during the construction phase.