D11 Accessibility Flashcards
Transport Design
Contrast, tactiles, signage,
similar to those in buildings, protruding objects, elevators, signs and stairs.
- challenges to safety and orientation ; access to information, platform edges , gaps between cars, orientation within the station , locating bus stops , locating vehicle doors
Modifications to platform edges:
-guard rails
-safety yellow warning stripes
- Between cars barriers
-detectable warning surfaces
-lights along platform edges
Aids to locating bus stops include:
-tactile signs
-use of distinctly shaped pole
-attached signs with raised characters at standard height
-remote infrared audible signage (RIAS)
-standard stop locations
-distinctive stop features e.g / shelters, special poles, special pavers
Ticket purchasing requires the user to follow a particular sequence to insert money, locate and press a number of buttons and remove a ticket.
- To know the value of a ticket reading an electronic message in some locations a rider must locate the origin and destination on map to determine the number of fare zones between them or they must refer to table of fares for different destinations
- Automatic teller machines and fare machines are now required to be speech enabled and to provide operating instructions , transaction prompt, user input verifications , error messages and all displayed information
- Braille instructions for initiating the speech functions are required. Standard handset or headphone jacks are available. Tactilely discernible input control is required.
Rail Platforms
ADAAG required detectable warnings 2 feet warnings 2 feet wide along the edge of transit platforms
ADAAG requires that the detectable warning surfaces be placed 24 inches deep on the edge of all the newly constructed or altered transit platforms, and in key stations of a system
guardrails
-safety yellow warning stripes
-between car barriers
-detectable warning surfaces
-lights along platform edges
Blended Curbs.
ADAAG required detectable warnings on the entire surface of curb ramps 3 feet wide in the direction of travel at blended transitions and along the edges of reflected pools, water features or fountains in pedestrian area
-Draft PROWAG in 2005 modified the specifications for detectable warning location to require 24 inches at tgw base of the ramp for the entire width
-They are permitting a range of dome spacing and specifying the alignment of the domes in a square grid in relation to the gutter or change of a slope at the base of the ramp.
Building Design
Universal Design is designing all products building an exterior spaces to be usable by people by the greatest extent possible
Recognising that a design that facilitates getting about by persons with disabilities typically benefits other people as well
So that the blind/vision impaired person can travel the same way as sighted persons independently, safely, efficiently and with freedom of choice
Having information means having choices and having the abilities to make the correct choice first time, not having to engage in time consuming deductive reasoning from improvise clues or frequently having to ask for information and assistance
Logical Layout:
A logic way of giving distances and directions that relate to each other in ones environment
A learner uses a logic layout to locate different objects or obstacles that are located in a room
Lighting
The amount of light that is provided by natural or artificial that can help or hurt a low vision learner
- Student can struggle form night blindness and need more light to see
- Students may struggle with glare from too much lighting
- Photophobia effects the learner ability to see with bright lights or certain lights
Signage
Understandable
- Use plain language or the common language of users in that area
2. Print Signs
- Must have high contrast, well designed, well placed, clean and well illuminated
3. Location of Signs
- Easy to locate and in consistence locations
Protruding objects
U.S guidelines limit the amount by which objects can protrude from a wall or signpost. Below 27 inches and above 80 inches
Obstacles that have a leading edges more than 27 inches above the floor or ground and lower than 80 inches above the floor or ground are not allowed to protrude into the travel path more than 4 inches
ADA guidelines for post mounted signs and objects are not consistent. ADA allows signs to protrude 12 inches from posts, while draft PROWAG limits post mounted objects to 4 inches maximum protrude.
Where there is no alternative to mounting a large sign on pole , the pole should be mounted on two poles placed at both sides of the sign and a crossbar should connect the two poles at the height of 12 inches
Place a trash can underneath a protruding traffic controller?
Build a curbed area
Install a railing under an overhanging object ie, wall mounted objects such as water fountains and fire extinguishers
Stairs
draft PROWAG specifies a minimum 2 inch strip at the front of each tread that contrasts visually with the tread and riser
-treads and risers are at a moderate width and height
- the dimensions are the same for the full width of each stair, for the entire length of the staircase
-stair nosings protrude slightly beyond the base of the riser below
-risers are closed
-handrails are continuous on both the inside and outside of the staircase
- the ends of handrails protrude horizontally about one foot beyond the top and the bottom of the stairs are rounded and return to the wall, floor or post to avoid becoming a protruding object
-adequate lighting is important
-Nosing of stairs contrast visually with the treads, risers and stringers (the sloping board beside the treads)
- A barrier should be placed on the underside of the staircases or escalators that are not enclosed
Audible Pedestrian Signal
The visually impaired learner is able to know when it is safe to cross and which street they are crossing
Emits a tone to alert a traveller during the walk interval at traffic light controlled intersection they may provide both audible and vibro tactile information , have a push bottom locator to help locate and use it and have a tactile arrow to help determine which street the audible device serves . The arrow may vibrate during the walk interval.
Holding the button longer (more than one second) actuates optional features to include information messages, audible message, audible beaconing and extended crossing time. Information messages provide street name and information regarding unusual signalisation or geometry
Each APS should be on a separate pole, located no more than 10 feet from the kerb line but closer is possible, and as close as possible to the line of the associated cross walk that is farthest from the centre of the intersection
Two APS on a corner should be at least 10 feet apart according to the draft PROWAG and MUTCD in order for pedestrians to easily distinguish which device is sounding
Groundstrips
Can be raised about ¼ inch above the road surface and are typically are installed in the centre of the crosswalks. The traveller will follow the guide strip by using a constant contact technique. Questions remain about the ability of the traveller to follow guide strips while maintain appropriate attention to the traffic sounds and the maintenance and durability of the guide strips. Another strategy is to incorporate tactile guide strips into both edges of the crosswalks. More research is needed to determine which system works the best.
Addressing Accessibility Barriers
working together with planners, transportation engineers, architects and others designing buildings and maintaining buildings, sidewalks, streets , transit stations and buses
Show up at a public hearing and present concerns regarding accessibility to sidewalks , street crossings and transit services
Become a representative on advisory committees such as Mayor’s Committee on Disabilities or an Access Advisory Committee
Be well informed about all relevant standards for accessibility so that you can be effective advocate and consultant
