Improving Accessibility of Schools

1 Improving Accessibilityof Schools20062006 Improving Accessibilityof Schools02 Education is important for everybody this includes people with and without disabilities. Among other things, education gives us the opportunity to learn to read and write, it gives us the opportunity to make friends and socialise with other people, and it gives us the opportunity to learn new skills skills that are important for employment in later life. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) recognises the importance of education for social and economic development through the various educational initiatives it has taken. However, many children with disabilities overwhelmingly are not included in either mainstream or specialist schooling.

2 While there are many barriers that still exist to ensuring equal access to education for people with disabilities, this booklet focuses on the issues of physical Accessibility to the school facility. More Schools currently exist than are likely to be built in the near future. Thus, this booklet focuses on some of the main issues facing existing facilities. Existing buildings pose a particular challenge as there is a need to work within the existing structures. Full compliance with Accessibility standards may not be possible or reasonable in many visits to many Schools in urban and rural environments took place over several months in 2005-2006 in order to identify areas of improvement to buildings that would assist in making Schools more accessible.

3 This booklet summarises some of the main issues and suggests some improvements that could be made. The major issues identified in this booklet are not necessarily the only issues for Schools ' Accessibility . Factors such as lighting inside classrooms, classroom arrangement, access to sports and playgrounds, and wheelchair access to upper floors, for instance, are not addressed for various reasons. It would also be beneficial to consider these issues as part of an ongoing maintenance document was written by Samantha Whybrow for John Grooms. We wish to thank all those involved in the Grooms office in Sri Lanka, 17 Cross Road, Mount LaviniaFurther information about Accessibility can be obtained in Sri Lanka through:Disability Organisations Joint Front368 Galle Road, RatmalanaPh/Fax: +94 11 272 1383E: the Ministry of Health, the Youth, Elderly, Disabled and Displaced Unit can also assist with UnitDeans Road, Colombo 10Ph: +94 11 267 4684E.

4 INTRODUCTION03 Table of ContentsAccess to ground floor04 Disabled toilet facilities11 Drainage18 Common Areas &Specialist Classrooms22 Stairways24 Pathways & Corridors27 Signage29 Teachers' Facilities32 Canteen33 Car parking35 Summary3604 ACCESS TO GROUND FLOORACCESS TO GROUND FLOORAs a minimum, the Ministry of Education stipulates that access to ground floor should be provided in all school buildings. Theoretically, this should provide students with access to all facilities that take place on the ground floor. Usually, this access is in the form of a 1:12 gradient Issues:Step up into classroom from corridor with no ramped alternativeUncovered drains along length of building at entrance points [refer to section on drainage] that create a break in access to ground floorRamps are not always provided to the ground floor of all buildings.

5 For instance, there may be a ramp to a special needs unit building, but the other buildings in the school are not accessible. This means the disabled child cannot access other areas of the school and cannot be included in activities outside their own classroom. Ramps are built without raised curbs to protect the edgesRamps are too steep (note the Sri Lankan standards stipulate 1:15 grade for outdoor ramps)Ramps to main entrances are not coveredRamps surfaces are not made to be non-slipRamps are built without handrails05 ACCESS TO GROUND FLOORT hese classrooms are all ground floor but inaccessible because access to the ground floor is over a drain, then over a step onto the corridor, then another step into the 2 Fig 3 Fig 1 Ramps should be provided at either end of a corridor/building.

6 This is important along long corridors, especially, to avoid having to travel all the way along a corridor to the ramp in order to move to another building that might be at the non-ramp end of the should be 1:15 gradient to comply with recent changes in should have curbs on unprotected edges to prevent falls off the on either side of the ramps would assist those with difficulty walking up the surface of the ramp so that is does not become slippery especially when wet. Landings are at the top and bottomClassrooms should lie level with the corridor. Alternatively, a sloped surface set in the door frame could help overcome the step (this will only work for small steps). Portable ramps should be made available at a school to overcome those steps at classrooms that are too IDEAS A small slope has been set into the door to help overcome a small TO GROUND FLOORFig 4 Refer to the section on drains for ideas on overcoming problems with exposed drainsRAMPSGOOD POINTSH andrails both sides that are circular in shape and the correct height for childrenGentle slopeNon-slip surface (textured concrete)

7 07 ACCESS TO GROUND FLOORFig 5 COULD BE IMPROVED a ramp that is to a main entrance or is a main access pointProviding a well-surfaced landing at the bottomProviding a landing at the top so the person does not have to open the gate while resting on the sloped surface of the rampEnsuring that obstacles are not left in the way on the ramp or at the bottom, where they can be a hazard (in this case , a table).Fig 6At one school a small ramp-bridge was constructed to overcome a step on a driveway to help VEHICLES. This is a simple idea and it can be applied to help people too!This picture shows one of the common ways to enter classrooms on the ground floor. It is not accessible due to the steps and the open drain.

8 There are many possible solutions. The picture shows how a ramp could be constructed to one of the classrooms to allow access to at least one classroom. This would require: Raising the height of the corridor directly outside the classroom entrance to be level with the classroom to create a level landing of at least 1500mm length and 1200mm width. Construct a ramp of 1:15 gradient that is 1200mm wide to run parallel with the existing corridor If it is absolutely necessary to have a height difference at the entrance to the classroom, set a small ramp into the doorframe as shown in figure 06, p. 07. An alternative solution is to provide access to all classrooms by raising the height of the entire corridor and placing ramps at both ends of the corridor.

9 Drains should not be left exposed suitable grating or safety measures should be provided [refer to section on drainage].08 Raise the height of this platform to lie level with the classroom a suitable ramp with handrails here. ACCESS TO GROUND FLOORFig 7 Example of possible modification to improve ground floor accessAn alternative option would be to:Provide ramped access to all classrooms byoRaising the height of the entire corridor to be level with the classroom entrance. In this case, the minimum width of the corridors needs to be at least 1200mm. This may mean that part of the drain is covered so appropriate alterations to the drain need to be ramped access at both end of the building (refer to GoSL standards for specifications)oAgain, if it is necessary to have a level difference at the entrance points to classrooms, a small sloped surface should be set into the doorframe of the entrance Drains should not be left exposed suitable grating should be provided.

10 Please refer to section on TO GROUND FLOOR09 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONSS lope a gentle slope of 1:15 outdoors and 1:12 indoors Width at least 1200mm wideHandrails that are continuous on both sides ~900mm high and that continue onto the top and bottom landings for 300mm before finishingLandings at top and bottom and at every change of direction (minimum 1200mm x 1500mm long)Surface that is non-slip and well drainedGround indicators at top and bottom landings for people with difficulty seeingCurbs on exposed edges (50mm high)Covering if they are outdoors02 ACCESS TO GROUND FLOOR10 Ramp with gentle 1:15 slope. Note landings at top, bottom and mid-way. Observe that the top landing is measured from the top of the ramped surface to the edge of the door opening circle.