 Subjects -> DISABILITY (Total: 100 journals)
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- An aircraft combination wheelchair seat suitable for aircraft aisles
Authors: Danielle Katz, Aziza Mahomed
Pages: 1 - 30
Abstract: Air travel is very restricted for individuals with mobility limitations and there is a need for the design of improved accommodation for individuals in wheelchairs on an aircraft. The aim of this paper is to present an aircraft wheelchair design, referred to as the Aircraft Combination Wheelchair Seat (ACWS), that meets the requirements of the dimensions of the Airbus A321 aircraft aisles and facilitates aircraft mobility. This study focuses on the process of the design and the analysis undertaken. The universal design approach ensures the product can be used for more than one function, including, the ability to be fully integrated into the airline seat or the reverse, to be detached from the seat frame. Finite element analysis performed on both options concluded that the product was technically feasible.
PubDate: 2020-05-30
DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v10i1.248
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2020)
- Designing universal visuotactile pictograms
Authors: Andréa Boisadan, Stéphanie Buisine, Philippe Moreau, Yasmine Boumenir
Pages: 31 - 69
Abstract: Pictograms are used in all domains of our daily life, in orientation maps in particular. They can be depicted visually or tactilely (in relief) for blind people. The problem is that these existing pictograms are not standardized. The aim of this study was to develop a range of visuotactile orientation pictograms, which would be understandable by all population including adults, children, elderly, foreigners and visually impaired people. We conducted three studies: Study 1 aimed to make sighted users (adults and children) evaluate a set of visuotactile pictograms designed initially for blind users’ in relation with their tactile capacities and mental representation. The results show that many of these pictograms proved to be too specific to be understandable by the general population. To complement these data, we analyzed the impact of colours on the understanding of pictograms by sighted users (Study 2). Finally we conducted a series of creativity workshops with sighted adults, blind adults and sighted children (Study 3) in order to generate a new set of universal visuotactile pictograms. This research contributions are twofold: From a methodological viewpoint, we experienced and observed the limitations of two approaches (top-down and bottom-up) to design universal pictograms. From a practical viewpoint, we provide a set of universal visuotactile pictograms for orientation maps.Relevance to industry: Both the methodological insights and the design results can be useful to practitioners. The new set of universal visuotactile pictograms can be used by signalists to design accessible orientation maps.
PubDate: 2020-05-30
DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v10i1.219
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2020)
- Universal design: from design philosophy to applied science
Authors: Lino Bianco
Pages: 70 - 97
Abstract: Universal Design (UD) philosophy is inspired by the social responsibility that no discrimination is present in the use of the built environment. During recent decades UD philosophy led to a systematic development of design guidelines for architectural and urban projects aimed at rendering the built environment accessible to all. In Malta, such guidelines are endorsed by central and local government entities and non-governmental organizations and they are covered by legislation which is actively enforced. Moreover, the law stipulates that the planning regulator makes it mandatory that a given development permission complies with these guidelines. This ensures that no barriers can hinder the usage of a given development. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that UD is not only a legal requisite emerging from a socially sensitive design philosophy and grounded in official design standards that ensure legal compliance, but an applied science aimed at ensuring mobility for all. Using a case study from this European Union Member State, this paper argues that setting the focus on technical specifications relating to access for all falls short of addressing the inherent interdependencies; consequently, it does not tackle UD issues. UD goes beyond the prescriptive requirement established by law and underpins a performance-based design, thereby intrinsically enhancing the quality of any given element, whether a space or a product. UD is an applied scientific discipline; it is a multifaceted, interdisciplinary branch of learning. It involves the application of current formal scientific knowledge to pragmatic scenarios in order to attain contextual specific solutions. UD is not just an applied design philosophy; it is an applied science integrating anthropometrics, medicine and design; it is universal design science.
PubDate: 2020-05-30
DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v10i1.249
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2020)
- Objective evaluation of architectural obstacles encountered in two
Canadian urban settings by mobility device users
Authors: Stéphanie Gamache, Francois Routhier, W. Ben Mortenson, William C Miller, Kathleen A Martin Ginis
Pages: 98 - 123
Abstract: Individuals using ambulation or wheeled assistive technologies encounter obstacles when accessing built environments. Although there are many environmental evaluations allowing the identification of these obstacles, very few take into consideration both outdoor and indoor environments. Since we know little about the environments of individuals with mobility impairments regarding their mobility assistive technologies (MAT) and mobility in general, the aim of the project was to objectively describe environmental obstacles encountered by mobility device users in two Canadian urban settings. Locations to be evaluated were nominated by community dwelling MAT users during focus groups in Quebec City (n=25 participants) and community forums in the Vancouver region (n=30-45). The measure of environmental accessibility (MEA) was used to evaluate the outdoor and indoor identified barriers. Relevant MEA sections were completed based on problems that were noted by MAT users, and non-compliant items were recorded. Nineteen locations (buildings and exterior spaces) in Quebec City and 20 in the Vancouver region were evaluated. Fifteen MEA sections were used in Quebec City and 12 in the Vancouver region (out of 29): curb ramps; sidewalk; parking; outdoor signage; doors; accessible routes; walls; obstacles; access ramps; handrails and guardrails; elevators; equipment (automatic teller machine); locker rooms; toilet, changing and shower stalls; and washrooms. Non-compliant items were similar in Quebec City and the Vancouver region. The most frequently encountered ones were similar in both locations. The most problematic MEA sections (with more non-compliant items) were access ramps and washrooms. This study provides a better understanding of the objective characteristics of outdoor and indoor environments impeding access among mobility device users, and consequently, the elements which should be considered for improvement.
PubDate: 2020-05-30
DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v10i1.186
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2020)
- Research, analysis, and evaluation of web accessibility for a selected
group of public websites in Bulgaria
Authors: Negoslav Sabev, Galya Nikolova Georgieva-Tsaneva, Galina Bogdanova
Pages: 124 - 160
Abstract: This article discusses the accessibility of public information on the Internet by people with disabilities, and in particular people with visual deficits. Web accessibility standards, content and basic principles have been considered. A survey on the accessibility of public websites in the Republic of Bulgaria was conducted. Information on the group that conducted the study is given, the purpose of the study, the methodology of the study is described. The surveys were conducted on 100 public administration sites, which are divided into 5 groups. The results of the study are presented. Conclusions were made for the accessibility of information in the public sphere of the Republic of Bulgaria. In recent months accessibility of these sites has been re-evaluated. The results show that not enough is being done to achieve accessibility while maintaining public administration websites in Bulgaria. Despite the overall increase in web accessibility of the sites being tested, there is still much work to be done on this.
A statistical analysis of the different groups of public sites was conducted, and the group in which the accessibility was the best was examined.Тhe conclusion is that the accessibility of the websites of the public administration in the Republic of Bulgaria is not at the necessary level of accessibility, which does not allow the users with visual disability to access these sites easily. It is, therefore, necessary for the public administration and web application developers to implement the accessibility guidelines proposed in the standards and improve the accessibility of these websites. This will be a step forward in ensuring the rights of people with disabilities. Тhe paper of this survey is original and not previously published.
PubDate: 2020-05-30
DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v10i1.215
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2020)
- Daily life, anthropometry and bedroom design of Indonesian elderly
Authors: Novia Rahmawati, Ari Widyanti, Bernard C. Jiang
Pages: 161 - 179
Abstract: Indonesia elders have a choice to stay in residential or live in a nursing home. Effort should be invested to maintain the elderly well-being despite their lives choice. The purpose of this study is to observe Indonesian elderly who live in residential (either lives independently or with families) and nursing home. In addition, this study also describes the anthropometry of Indonesian elderly, in particular in relation to bedroom design for elderly. One hundred and three Indonesian elderly were involved in this study (mean age = 74.4 years, SD= 8.98 year, 82 female). A total of 15 anthropometry body dimensions are measured based on their relevance to the elder’s bedroom design. Results show different activities among Indonesian elders based on their dependencies. The bedroom design for Indonesian elderly is proposed.
PubDate: 2020-05-30
DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v10i1.217
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2020)
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