VELENJE, 4. 11. 2013PP6: Municipality Of Velenje

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE IN VELENJE

Every day, many people face barriers and problems when moving around in public spaces and on public transport.

This group of people with reduced mobility – represent 35 – 40% of the European population.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN BENEFIT EVERYONE

Persons with disabilities need adjustments in the built environment to access and to use it.Too many times there is a lack of understanding the needs of people with disabilities on the side of people who do not have such problems. Studies show, that accessible and adjusted environments benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities.

ORGANIZATION OF TWO EVENTS:

1. Walk with a walking stick (white cane) for residents of Velenje city.

2. Walk with people with visual impairments and blind people in preparation phase of tactile walking surface indicators document (TWSI).

WALK WITH A WALKING STICK

1.1. RECOMMENDATIONS • City center – weekend • Short predefined route• Expert staff• Accessories for experience of different visual impairments

1.2. GETTING EXPERIENCE  • of persons which are blind, severely or completely lacking

visual perception;• perception of space, distances in complete darkness; • how to approach to visually impaired people.

1.3. FEEDBACK  • Detection of new obstacles in space; • „Perception of space, distances in complete darkness is a bit

scaring“; • very good;• try to organise yearly;

2. TACTILE WALKING SURFACE INDICATORS (TWSI)

“Safe paths” for blind people should be defined on a strategic level, on the level of the city. Tactile paving and existing orientation elements (edges, etc.) must form a logical and continuous system that links objects and public transport stations. In terms of cultural value, logical and safe access to the main entrance of the building shall be provided.

2.1. FACT

Blind people usually access spaces with the help of a companion, a guide/assistance dog, white canes, magnifiers and by using tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI).

2.2. RECOMENDATIONS FOR TOWN PLANNERS

2.2.1. FOR THE BLIND - obstacles higher than 30cm must be clearly marked (for safe use of the white cane),- sufficient tactile floor guide system that provides safe passing through the environment,- paths must be free of any standing barriers,- involvment of handicapped people.

2.2. RECOMENDATIONS FOR TOWN PLANNERS

2.2.2. FOR THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED

- partially sighted people usually do not use white canes, therefore obstacles on the paths represent a bigger problem; - barriers (if they cannot be removed from the path) should be clearly marked with colour/contrast with signage,- reflections and glare should be avoided, glass surfaces should be highlighted with clearly visible features,- stairs must be marked with coloured stripes,- appropriate illumination should be provided.