Design Solutions to Higher Education Institutions for Orthopaedically Challenged
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Date
2007
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ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
Education of students with a disability should be valued as high when compared with as
the education of students without apparent disabilities. Acknowledging the value of
educating students with a disability requires options for the type and location of their
education. To meet the challenge of educating these students, education building
designers must go beyond providing barrier-free buildings by embracing a broader
concept of accessibility—that of providing students with disabilities the maximum
possible access to general education. The aim of the Building Issue is to make fewer
individuals handicapped, by making the physical environment more accessible and
supportive.
Research on Design for All / Universal design in educational building will
help in mainstreaming the challenged students. Hence the present study on “Design
Solutions to Higher Education Institution for Orthopedically Challenged.” was proposed
with the following objectives.
1. To find out the existence of design features in selected educational institutions to
meet the needs of orthopedically challenged.
2. To explore the problems faced by the students in relation to the existing design
features.
3. To study the building standards and recommendations for orthopedically
challenged.
4. To suggest feasible design solutions for educational institutions.
The study was taken up in Hyderabad city of Andhra Pradesh. The ex-post facto
research design was used to approach research. Four reputed universities namely
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University,
Osmania University and University of Hyderabad were selected to conduct the research.
Two sets of respondent’s viz., 50 orthopaedically challenged students of these four
universities and 3 Officers’ in-charge of student’s affairs /administrative officers from
each of these universities were interviewed using interview schedules. In addition, a
checklist cum observation schedule was used to collect information on accessibility
features in college buildings. Students were selected using simple random sampling
technique. Data was collected through direct personal interview. It was later analyzed
and feasible designs solutions were evolved.
Findings of the study indicated that out of the 50 respondents, 40 per cent
represented Osmania University 28 percent were from University of Hyderabad. The
remaining 18 and 14 per cent represented ANGRAU and JNTU. Among these
respondents 82 per cent were males, 36 and 14 per cent had opted for technical and
science education. Eighty-six per cent of the sample were affected by polio and had
problem with either one or both the legs, 12 and 2 percent respectively were disabled by
birth defects and accident. All the respondents were semi-ambulatory and among them
46 per cent used moving aids like crutches and canes.
The data also indicates that all respondents 100 per cent had problem in
accessing area class rooms,46 per cent felt difficulty in accessing seminar
hall/auditorium, 24 per cent in laboratory, 28 per cent had problem in library,88 per cent
faced problems in accessing toilet, 52 per cent had difficulty in accessing canteen while
10 per cent were having problems while accessing parking area. They also had problem
with accessing different element like 94 per cent for stairways,72 percents for steps, 90
per cent for corridors and 8 per cent for ramps. Suitable suggestions were also given by
them to overcome these problems.
Design standards and recommendations suggested b X plan guidelines
University Grant Commission, Guidelines from Office of the Chief-Commissioner for
persons with disabilities.-India, ADA Compliance Guide, USA, (1991), American National
Standards Institute New York, (1986). Central Coordinating Committee for the Promotion
of Accessibility for the Disabled (CCPT) (1988), The Canadian Paraplegic
Association(1989) Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Public Works(1986) Denmark
Ministry (1972) and also from the research outcomes of different countries by
Mona,(2000), Karanti, (2000), Shilpi and Mallikarjun(2000), Pinto et al (1997), Grosbois,
Louis. (1991), Park Sharon and Joseph,(1990) Manitoba Division(1989), Lars
Reutersward(1986), Dansk,(1984),Woodson,(1981),Goldsmith,(1976), Beckman,(1976)
and Copenhagen (1974) were also reviewed to understand the users needs.
It was observed in this study that the selected higher education buildings did not
possess many design features as per standards and recommendations for physically
challenged persons. Design guidelines and recommendations suggested by various
commissions therefore considered to evolve suitable design solutions to overcome the
problems expressed by the respondents of the study and also to meet the needs of non
ambulatory members who may enroll in University for higher education.
Design solutions suggested in this study are proposed to overcome the problems
in architectural elements in buildings environment like steps at threshold or access to
main building, landing surface in front of threshold, entrance door to main building and
interiors, ramp, pathways, curb ramps, stairs, lifts/elevators, corridors, water fountain
and functional areas like class rooms, seminar hall/auditorium, laboratories, library,
toilet, eating outlets and parking.
From the present study it can be concluded that by designing barrier free higher
education institutions, it will be possible to encourage all type of students irrespective of
their kind, type, and extent of disability. Such environment may even motivate wheel
chair user to pursue higher education on par with normal person, which will be a
welcome sign for many in India.
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Keywords
Design, Solutions, Higher, Education, Institutions, Orthopaedically, Challenged