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Easy Access
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Wheelchair-accessible)
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Easy Access is the design of buildings, vehicles, etc. so that anybody can use them, regardless of physical constraints, e.g. a physical disability, sensory impairment or need to push a pram.
Examples of such design features include:
- Ramps or lifts, either instead of steps or available as an alternative.
- Elevators, if the building has multiple floors.
- Fire alarms hooked up to the lighting system of a building, so that when the alarm sounds, the lights flash to alert deaf people to the situation
- Braille or embossed lettering on signs
- Colour contrasted doors to cater for visually impaired.
- Doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs, with handles low enough to be reached by someone in a wheelchair.
Easy Access facilities are now required by legislation in many countries:
- Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (UK)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) (US)
- Disability Discrimination Act (Australia)
While the provision of Easy Access can be painfully difficult and expensive to provide as a retro-fit or afterthought, designing EA facilities at the time of original construction can be quite simple.
- According to Modern Railways of May 2005, £370m has been earmarked for further disability access to the UK rail network.
- Wheelchair accessible taxi
- Wheelchair accessible van
- Computer accessibility
- MBTA accessibility
- ADAPT - a disability rights organization.
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