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Assessment of Building Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

Building accessibility is an essential component of inclusive architecture because persons with disabilities should be able to access, navigate, occupy, and use buildings safely and independently. Public, institutional, commercial, educational, healthcare, and residential buildings can present physical and sensory barriers when accessibility is not adequately considered during design, construction, and maintenance. In many developing urban environments, inadequate access provisions, poor enforcement of building requirements, and limited awareness of inclusive design contribute to difficulties experienced by persons with disabilities. This study assesses building accessibility for persons with disabilities, focusing on the architectural and environmental features that influence independent movement and building use. The assessment considers entrances, ramps, stairs, lifts, corridors, doorways, sanitary facilities, parking areas, circulation routes, signage, and emergency exits. It also examines how these elements are arranged and connected to determine whether users can move continuously and safely from the building entrance to its major functional spaces. Particular attention is given to the needs of people with different forms of disability, including mobility, visual, auditory, and other functional limitations. Accessibility requirements may vary according to the user's abilities and the nature of the building environment. Features such as appropriate ramp gradients, handrails, accessible door widths, tactile indicators, visual and audible information, adequate turning spaces, accessible sanitary facilities, and clear circulation routes can reduce barriers and improve independent use. The study further considers the relationship between physical accessibility and user experience. The presence of individual accessibility features does not necessarily guarantee an accessible building if routes are discontinuous, facilities are poorly located, surfaces are difficult to navigate, or accessibility features are poorly maintained. An effective accessibility assessment therefore needs to consider the building as an integrated system, including its relationship with external pedestrian routes, parking facilities, entrances, internal circulation, functional spaces, and emergency evacuation provisions. Several challenges may affect the provision of accessible buildings, including inadequate implementation of accessibility standards, limited professional knowledge, financial constraints, poor maintenance, existing structural limitations, and insufficient consultation with persons with disabilities. Retrofitting existing buildings can also be technically challenging where accessibility was not considered during the original design. Addressing these issues requires regular accessibility assessments, effective regulatory enforcement, professional training, user participation, and appropriate modification strategies. The study aims to assess the level of accessibility provided for persons with disabilities and identify architectural strategies for improving building usability and independence. The findings are expected to provide useful guidance for architects, building managers, planners, policymakers, developers, and institutions responsible for public facilities. Improving accessibility through inclusive planning, appropriate design features, effective maintenance, and user-centred evaluation can contribute to safer, more equitable, and socially inclusive built environments.

Keywords: Building accessibility, Persons with disabilities, Inclusive architecture, Universal design, Accessibility assessment, Barrier-free design, Mobility access, Accessible buildings, Building circulation, Assistive features, Inclusive environments, Accessibility standards, User-centred design, Social inclusion.