First let's understand the Universal design aim itself;
Universal design, sometimes known as barrier-free building design, "is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design recognizes that people have a range of capabilities and they need designs to include this range.
In this blog, we aim to show some examples that contradict the principles of universal design in the city of Ankara.
Wheelchair and Stairs
Universal design, sometimes known as barrier-free building design, "is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design recognizes that people have a range of capabilities and they need designs to include this range.
Principles of Universal Design
- Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities [and does not disadvantage, segregate, or stigmatize any group of users.]
- Flexibility In Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
- Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
- Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
- Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
- Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with minimum fatigue.
- Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities [and does not disadvantage, segregate, or stigmatize any group of users.]
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
Use of the design is easy to understand regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with minimum fatigue.
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
In this blog, we aim to show some examples that contradict the principles of universal design in the city of Ankara.
Wheelchair and Stairs
In many outdoor activities of Ankara, there are stairs which
are not suitable for people who go with wheelchairs.If they go down, they can fall down the stairs.
Because of these stairs, they go back or wait a long time
and ask for help.
This style can not provide same means of use for all users.
Phone Cubicle
A TTY is a device that can send text over a phone line to another
TTY (It is that box that is underneath the phone). It can be pulled
out and used as a keypad. In this way it can be beneficial for
people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired.
But in Ankara most telephone cubicles do not have this option so
that only those without a physical disability may access it.
Also some of them are hidden away and hard to find, making
them useless for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech-
impaired or physically disabled.
Bus Stations
In some places, there are no close bus stations. Another
important thing is that for people who are waiting buses,
there should be a suitable seating space with a shelter
to be kept away from rain or snow.
If there are no spaces like those, it will be difficult to wait
for buses which come 1 or 2 times during 30 minutes.
Sidewalks
Slopes minimize physical effort while going both down and up.
However some slopes or sidewalks are too steep for many
people require a large degree of physical exertion.
So it poses a serious challenge for not only going up but also
going down.
Outdoor Signage
Signage often relies solely on the use of words which are often
located in hard to find areas behind bushes and other obstacles.
Because of this, importance of signage turns into useless thing
and it is hard to understand .
Communicate necessary information
In Ankara, there is just a few international sign or information
boards. Also sometimes there is a lack of signs for street
names and for directing people who are not local in the area.
Consequences of accidental or unintended actions
Sometimes the ramp is on steep slope with no handrails and
stairs on either side, so if someone were to fall off their
wheelchair, they could fall down the stairs.Nothing to warn
of ramp; nothing that separates the ramp from the stairs.
