Environmental Accessibility & Universal Design

An evaluation that assesses the safety, functionality, and comfort of a patient's home, community, and work environment.

Designing products, buildings, and spaces for maximum use by everyone, regardless of abilities or disabilities.

The minimum distance required for a person to reach an object while facing it.

Assessing the accessibility of external areas such as parking lots.

Designated parking spaces for individuals with disabilities, located close to entry points.

The width of the driving lane between parked vehicles.

Providing parking spaces for those needing extra space to enter and leave their vehicles.

Ensuring convenient parking for individuals with disabilities close to the building's main entrance.

Provides the framework for creating environments that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility for people with disabilities.

Considering the needs of individuals with disabilities during the initial design phase, rather than adding accessibility features later.

A parking space designed for people with limited mobility, located as close to the building entrance as possible with a maximum distance of 25 meters.

A sign clearly indicating the presence of a parking bay designated for people with limited mobility.

The surface of the parking bay should be firm, level and free of obstacles like gravel, sand or cobbles. This ensures a smooth and safe entry and exit for wheelchair users.

Features designed for safe movement between the parking bay and the building entrance, such as lowered curbs, level pathways and adequate lighting, ensuring easy and barrier-free access.

Pathways for pedestrians, including sidewalks and crosswalks, designed to be clear, level, and free of obstacles for everyone, especially those with visual impairments or mobility issues.

The material used for accessible pathways needs to be stable, firm, and slip-resistant, ensuring a safe and comfortable walking experience.

Transition areas at the end of sidewalks, allowing wheelchair users to safely and smoothly move onto the road.

Pedestrian crossings should be designed with a minimum width of 3000 mm and clearly marked with white or yellow lines.

Street furniture like light standards and posts should be placed strategically to prevent obstruction and hazards for pedestrians.

Using different textures on footpaths helps visually impaired people identify public amenities and navigate effectively.

Signs should be easily visible, clear, simple, and understandable, even at night. They must be properly lit and avoid placement behind glass to prevent reflections. Signs on pedestrian paths should be detectable to avoid obstructing vision.

Signs should use contrasting colors for the figure and background. White figures on a blue background are commonly used. Red/green and yellow/blue combos are not recommended to avoid confusion for color-blind individuals.

Rectangular shape for information signs, triangular for warnings, and circular for prohibitions.

The most accessible dwelling entry should be chosen - closest to the driveway, level walking surface, fewer stairs, and handrails.

Driveways should be level, smooth, and provide easy access to the home. The entrance should be well-lit.

Steps should not exceed 17.5 cm in height, with a depth of 28 cm. They should have a non-slip surface, and handrails should be installed on both sides.

Elevators providing access to all floors open to the public should have a minimum internal dimension of 1.00 m x 1.30 m to accommodate a wheelchair user. The door opening should be at least 80 cm.

The control panel in the elevator should be mounted at a height of 90 cm to 1.20 cm from the floor, making it accessible for wheelchair users. Buttons should be illuminated and easily identifiable by touch.

Elevators should be designed to accommodate disabled people comfortably.

Wide elevator cabs are better suited than long ones for wheelchair users, making turning and movement easier.

Doorways should be at least 91.5 cm wide to accommodate people using mobility aids.

Door handles should be placed between 90 cm and 1.00 m from the floor for easy access.

Thresholds should be avoided or minimized to less than 1 cm for smooth transitions.

Clear pathways must be provided for wheelchair users to maneuver through rooms.

All electrical outlets, telephones and switches should be easily accessible for everyone.

Floor coverings should be secure to prevent rippling or movement under wheelchair use.

Bed frames should be stable and height adjustable to facilitate safe transfers.

Clothes bars in closets should be lowered and accessible within the range of 1.20 cm and 1.30 cm.

Toilet seats should be raised to facilitate safe transfers for people using mobility aids.

Grab bars should be installed near the toilet and tub to assist with balance and transfers.