BARRIER FREE ARCHITECTURE

Prof. Subodh ShankarAmity School of Architecture & Planning, Lucknow

Should disability become an obstacle to success?

“Disability need not be an obstacle to success. I have had motor neurone disease for practically all my adult life. Yet it has not prevented me from having a prominent career in astrophysics and a happy family life.”

Professor Stephen W Hawking

Dr. Suresh Advani

Oncologist

Disability did not deter them to perform their bestThomas Edison, Surdas, John Milton, Helen Keelar

• More than 1 billion people are disabled in the world in one form or the other- WHO

• India has around 12 million disabled people

Visual Speech Hearing Movement Mental & Age based

UN definition of Disability

“Persons with disabilities include those

who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various

barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

Disability and Indian Constitution

The

Constitution of India

resolves to secure to all its citizens

justice; liberty; equality; and fraternity.

Citizens with Disability are an essential part of human diversity.

Article 15 of the Constitution ensures the Right of Social Equality and Equal Access to Public Areas

Accessibility for all is recognised as a basic necessity and there are attempts all over

the world to ensure this. Barrier-free features are now becoming

fundamental to all design concepts.

What is a Barrier-Free Environment?

A barrier-free environment is a space that allows for free and safe movement, function and access for all, regardless

of age, sex or condition.

OR

Space or a set of services that can be accessed by all, without obstacles, with dignity and with as much

independence as possible.

Who all face barriers?

Wheelchair users

People with limited walking/ movement abilities

People with visual impairment or low vision

People with hearing impairment

Elderly and infirm persons

Pregnant ladies

Children

People with temporary disabilities

Is it necessary to remove barriers?

• Barriers make an environment unsafe and cause a high level of difficulty to the user.

• Barriers cause spaces to be out of reach, denying people the opportunity of participation in various spheres of life.

• This ranges from education, economic, social, cultural and many other activities.

• This loss of opportunity is not only a loss for the person concerned but also society’s loss which misses out on their contribution.

• A barrier causes exclusion

Access is a basic right

• A barrier-free environment is a basic right of all. It is not a matter of choice or option or be an aspect of sympathy.

• Not allowing a person equal opportunities and participation is an infringement on his/ her rights as a citizen of this country.

• Barrier-free design, therefore, is a professional obligation as well as a societal commitment of design professionals.

Architect’s Viewpoint: Balkrisna Doshi

“A universal design, not remaining synonymous only with the provision of ramps, involves many more aspects

to consider. This neither implies an additional demand nor involves an extra cost, if integrated right from the

conception of the design”

Architect’s Viewpoint: Hasmukh C. Patel

“We, as committed and concerned professionals, should take up this responsibility of addressing these issues and demonstrate through our work the benefits of a barrier-free environment.

Access to public areas is not only a matter of dignity but also the fundamental right of every person in our country”

Indian Standards, Manuals & Codes

• CPWD Guidelines & Space Standards for Barrier Free Environment for Disabled &Elderly pesons-1998

• Manual - Planning a Barrier Free Environment by Chief Commissioner for persons with disability- 2002

• TCPO Model Building Bye laws- 2004

• Design Manual For a Barrier - Free Built Environment by UNNATI – Organisation for Development Education, Handicap International, Ahmedabad, 2004

• Bureau of Indian Standards: NBC 2005

• Uttar Pradesh Model Building Bye- Laws 2008: Chapter- 11

National Building Code of India:2005Clause 12.21 of Part -3

‘Special Requirements for Planning of Public Buildings meant for use of Physically Challenged’

Sub Clauses General

Site Development Buildings

Design for Children

Requirements apply to all public buildings and facilities which are to be made accessible to, and

functional for the physically challenged.

LET OUR ESTEEMED EXPERTS

GUIDE US HENCEFORTH

Site Development: Walks

• Public Walks be at least 1200mm wide• Gradient not greater than 1 in 20. • Non-slip surface and have level surfaces at regular

intervals• Be of a continuing common surface not interrupted by

steps or abrupt changes in level. • Wherever walks cross other walks, driveways or parking

lots they should blend to a common level.

Passages

• The minimum clear passage width for a single

wheelchair is 900 mm continuously.

• An accessible route should be 1200 mm wide to allow

both a wheelchair and a walking person

• The minimum passage width for two wheelchairs to pass side by side is 1500 mm.Preferable width is 1800 mm.

Site Development: Parking

• Parking lots to be closest to the areas accessible to the handicapped

• Design the spaces so that wheelchairs and individuals using braces and crutches are not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked cars.

• Parking bays should be 2.7 to 3.0m wide

Parking Bays with Aisle space

Ramps

For shorter distances Minimum Width 900mm

Gradient greater than 1 in 20 or maximum of 1 in 12 for short distance up to 900mm.

900mm.

High Handrails preferably on two sides, extend 300mm beyond the top and bottom of the ramp.

Where major traffic is predominantly children, the height of handrails should be restricted to 760mm.

Level platforms at 10 m to 12m intervals. At turnings min. width- 1.5

Minimum width - 1500mm, If length exceeds 3.5m.

The Ramp shall have a level platform at the top which is at least 1800mm long, if a door swings out onto the platform or toward the ramp. This platform shall extend at least 300mm beyond each side of the doorway

Each ramp shall have at least 1800mm of straight clearance at the bottom.

For visually impaired people, ramps may be colour contrasted with landing.

Ramps

Buildings: Entrances

At least one primary entrance to each building to be wheelchairs usable and to be indicated by a sign and shall be

on a level that would make the elevators accessible.

Buildings: Doors

• Minimum clear width - 900mm. Single leaf non self closing• Not to open –out into circulation spaces • 400mm high kick plates be provided. • Public buildings - Sliding automatic doors. • Colour contrast with the adjoining wall..• Glazed doors to be marked with a coloured band or

frame. • Height of door handles and locks - 800mm from the floor.

Doors: Kick Plate & Colour Band

Buildings: Windows

• To be designed to avoid the glare• Large glass areas close to circulation spaces be marked

with a coloured band or frame.• Sill not to be higher than 800mm • Be easy to open and close.• Controls be placed in the zone 900 to 1200mm from the

floor.

Window

Window Openings

Buildings: Stairs

• Stairs be supplemented by lifts or ramps. • Straight flights preferred.• Treads - 300mm and risers not higher than 150mm. • Steps to be of a consistent height and depth throughout. • Projecting Nosing to be avoided • Handrails on both sides of any stairway. And be

continuous and extend not less than 300mm beyond the top and bottom step

• Colour contrast

Stairs

Elevators/Lifts

Buildings: Toilets

• WC be at-least 900mm wide and 1500mmdeep. • Seat Height- 500mm from floor• Door width: Min. 800mm, swings out• Handrails on each side, 780mm high and parallel to the

floor, 40mm clearance between rail and wall, and fastened securely at ends and centre

• Wall-mounted water-closet with a narrow under-structure that recedes sharply is most desirable.

Toilet: Plan & Section

Toilets

Kitchens

Kitchen

Wheelchair Passage Width

• The minimum clear passage width for a single

wheelchair is 900 mm continuously.• An accessible route should be 1200 mm wide to allow

both a wheelchair and a walking person • The minimum passage width for two wheelchairs to pass

side by side is 1500 mm.• Preferable width is 1800 mm.