Savitri Bhawan & Bharat Niwas

Observations and Recommendations to make it inclusive buildings

What is Barrier FreeWhat is Barrier Free Environment

It is creating and maintaining environments in which people canenvironments in which people can

participate in ways which are i bl di ifi d i iequitable, dignified, maximize

independence, conserve energy, p , gy,are safe and affordable.

Who benefits?Who benefits?Everyone….

Persons with reduced mobility• Persons with temporary ailments, • Senior citizensSenior citizens, • Pregnant women, • Families with young children,

P ith h l t• Persons with heavy luggage etc.

Persons with disabilities

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MythyAccess is all about having ramp or at the most a “handicap” toilet !!!p

FactFactAccess is not just having ramp or an “accessible”toilet- its about diverse access needs of personstoilet- its about diverse access needs of persons with reduced mobility and disabilities.Consider all external and internal facilities andConsider all external and internal facilities and services including signages, flooring, lighting, colour contrasts, furniture, emergency evacuation g yetc….

MythA i tl iti & iAccess is a costly proposition & requires lot of funds!

FactR f bi h t t 1 2 % f th t t l j tRefurbishment can cost 1-2 % of the total project cost.Cost is negligible if access standards are addedCost is negligible, if access standards are added in the planning stage.

To say “it is impossibleTo say it is impossible to include this thing” simply means that its

t l h t btrue place has not been foundfound.

The Mother (26.08.1971)

Universal DesignUniversal Design

Main entrance Accessible entrance

InformationInformationSignages forSignages for accessible facilities

Entrance- one step no rampEntrance one step no ramp

Good exampleGood example

Platform lift- very comfortablePlatform lift very comfortable

Amphi theatre- easy access from top

Access to be provided from ground level l if t t f talso- if some one wants to perform on stage

Exhibition hallExhibition hall

Ramp requiredRamp required

Excellent signagesExcellent signages

Steep rampSteep ramp

No access featureNo access feature

Passage to toilets- edges not flushed

Gents toiletsGents toilets

Accessible urinalAccessible urinal

At least one of the urinalsAt least one of the urinals in the Gents toiletshould have leveled flooringgrab bars installed ongrab bars installed on each side and in the front of the urinal to support ppambulant persons with disabilities (for example, crutch users).

Ladies toiletLadies toiletNarrow door smallNarrow door, small size Not adequate forNot adequate for wheel chair user

Tap out of reachTap out of reach

Internal

Grab bars are missing and washbasin too highGrab bars are missing and washbasin too high

Steps and HandrailsSteps and Handrails

Handrails to extend beyond the top and bottom nosing.y p g

Gravel approach to back diffi lt t ti tramp- difficult to negotiate

Existing ramp needs modificationg p

Non-negotiable elementsRamps at all gatesRamps at all gatesHandrails on steps and rampsSi l t d ith B ill dSignages supplemented with Braille and pictogramsAll doors – minimum 900mm wideAnti skid flooringgAccessible drinking water unitAccessible uni sex toilets on all floorsAccessible uni-sex toilets on all floors

Equality in the face of all q ycircumstances is the chief

i t b tt i d i daim to be attained in order to live in Aurovilleto live in Auroville.

The Mother (18-09-1969)

Community for AllCommunity for All

Th k YThank You

National Centre for Accessible Environments Email: samarthyaindia@yahoo.com

Web site: www.samarthyam.org