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Can you read This?. Disability in the Urban Environment. Enabling us all. Definition. ‘Disability is any lack of ability resulting from impairments to perform a task in the manner considered natural to human being.’ (taken from the WHO). A Disabled Population.
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Can you read This?
Disability in the Urban Environment Enabling us all
Definition ‘Disability is any lack of ability resulting from impairments to perform a task in the manner considered natural to human being.’ (taken from the WHO)
A Disabled Population • At any one time about 10% of the UK’s population has a disability. • However, at one point in our lives virtually everyone will be disabled. • This means that the way we use the world we live in will change.
UN recommendations on Pathways • Is the pathway clear of obstructions? • Is the path of travel free of steps or stairs? • Is the path of travel easy to detect? • Is the pathway at least 0.90 m wide? • Is the surface, level, smooth and non-slip? Does the pathway have a different colour and texture than the adjacent surfaces? • Are manholes placed outside the pedestrian path of travel? Is grating flush with the surface of the pathway? Are the grating openings narrow, not more than 13 mm? • Are the edges of raised pathways protected? Are there barriers separating the pathway from planting areas, pools and other landscape features? • Are the plant varieties used obstructive to the pathway ? Are the plant varieties used harmful? Are the plant varieties used harmful to the surface of the pathway?
Conclusions • Its is important to consider access whenever designing changes to the environment. • It is cheaper to alter when building something than after. • If we always do this then people will start to reconsider what a disability is and those with mobility issues will feel less segregated. • E.g. L.A. the most body conscious place on earth, decided to put air conditioning on its buses instead of lifts.