Investigation of suitability of the public and private buildings to disabled individuals (Elazig example)

ABSTRACT Investigation of Suitability of the Public and Private Buildings to Disabled Individuals (Elazig Example) Introduction: We know that the deadline for the preparation of the accessible buildings for the disabled under observation of municipalities is 01.07.2015. Therefore this study was performed to determine the suitability of the public and private buildings in the city center of Elazig for the disabled individuals. This study includes 300 public and private buildings in the city center. Materials and Method: A building observation form including 28 questions were developed by the researcher who searched accessibility of totally 300 buildings consisting of 184 public, 17 public extension buildings, 84 private sector buildings and 15 private sector extension buildings for the disabled in the city center of Elazig. The data were recorded as (n) and % for the categorical variables. Findings: From the results of the study, it was determined that 62.3 % of the entrance stairs of public and private sector buildings are within the standards whereas 65 % of the inner floors are from nonslip materials. 79.3 % of the doorsteps are suitable for the disabled. In addition, it was also determined that 59.2 of the ramps at the entrances, 71.7 of the doorways and 90.7 % of the elevators were not proper for the disabled. There was not a disabled information desk in 93.3 % of the buildings searched. 82 % of the buildings had no accessible toilets and sinks beside 95 % of the rooms were not designed proper for the disabled. 97 % of the switches, plug and devices were out of standard. Finally it was seen that 97.3 of these buildings had unsuitable emergency exits for the disabled people. Result: It was determined that the majority of private and public buildings are considerably improper for the disabled. Many corrections done in the buildings for the disabled are out of standards. Keywords: Disabled, design for the disabled, private buildings, public buildings, accessibility, standards