Accessibility of washrooms in bus terminals in Western Kenya to learners with physical disability

Authors

  • Marilyn Apella Ahonobadha Maseno University Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v7i2.121

Keywords:

Universal design, spatial inclusion, physical disability

Abstract

Learners with physical disability in the western part of Kenya frequently make use of bus terminals during in the trip to and from school. Special schools attended by learners with a physical disability are few in number and far removed from the residences of most students thereby necessitating travel.  Bus terminals located herein become obligatory points of passage for almost half of learners with physical disability in Kenya since seven out of thirteen special schools are located herein. This study, therefore sought to establish the accessibility of washrooms to learners with a physical disability whenever they made use of bus terminals. A cross-sectional survey design targeting 317 respondents who were sampled from a population of 1,525 was used. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, technical measurements and observation schedules. It was established that washrooms in the study area enhanced spatial exclusion due to the presence of barriers at doorways and constricted washroom stalls. 

Author Biography

Marilyn Apella Ahonobadha, Maseno University Kenya

Department of Art and DesignLecturer

References

Center for excellence in universal design. ( n.d.2). Sanitary facilities. Building for everyone: A universal design approach. Center for excellence in universal design. Retrieved on 24th November, 2014 from www.universaldesign.ie

Diversity Management and Community Engagement. (2004). City of Toronto accessibility design guidelines. Diversity our strength. Diversity Management and Community Engagement. Retrieved on 16th April, 2012 from https://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/equity_diversity_and_human_rights_office/pdf/accessibility_design_guidelines.pdf

Douglas, J. (2002). Building adaptation. Butterworth: Heinemann

Duarte, C. & Cohen, R. (2007). Research and teaching of accessibility and universal design in Brazil: Hindrances and challenges in a developing country. In Nasar J. & Evans-Cowley J. Universal design and Visitability: In accessibility to zoning, 115-146. Retrieved on 30th April 2014 from https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/24833/UniversalDesign&Visitability2007.pdf;jsessionid=BF39A489F4FDAAE771E3EE606D29CCF0?sequence=2

Government of Kenya. (2004). The Persons with Disabilities Act. Kenya Gazette Supplement. Government of Kenya. Nairobi: Government Printer.

Government of Kenya. (2008). Kenya national survey for persons with disabilities preliminary report. National coordinating agency for population development. Nairobi. Accessed on 30th April, 2014 from www.afri-can.org/CBR Information/KNSPWPD Prelim Report - Revised.pdf

Hamraie, A. (2013). Designing Collective Access: A Feminist Disability Theory of Universal Design. Disability Studies Quarterly, 33(4). doi:10.18061/dsq.v33i4.3871

Handicap International (2010). Kenya Disability Directory. Handicap International. Retrieved on 22nd April, 2016 from http://www.afri-can.org/directory/Kenya%20Disability%20Directory%20-%202010.pdf

Hunter-Zaworski K. (2007). Universal design in public transportation: “Segway” to the future subtheme: Safe, seamless and dignified community-based public transportation. In Nasar J. & Evans-Cowley J. Universal design and visitability: from accessibility to zoning, 51-68. Accessed on 30th April, 2014 from https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/24833/UniversalDesign&Visitability2007.pdf;jsessionid=BF39A489F4FDAAE771E3EE606D29CCF0?sequence=2

International Save the Children Alliance. (2001). Children’s Rights: A Second Chance. International Save the Children Alliance. Accessed on 24th April, 2014 from www.savethechildren.net/alliance/resources/child_second.pdf

Joines, Sharon. "Enhancing quality of life through Universal Design." NeuroRehabilitation 25.4 (2009): 313-326.

Kiai, M., Onsando, M. & Mwaura, I. (2007). Kenya signs United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Retrieved on 2nd January, 2012 from www.knchr.org/dmdocuments/disability.pdf

Lacey, A. (2004). Designing for accessibility. An essential guide for public buildings. Center for accessible environments. Accessed on 6th June, 2014 from http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C53C7118-21A1-4A25-896E-D9726C992634/0/10983designforaccessibilityguideupdated.pdf

Lafferty, S. (2007). As your County gets older. Planning for senior housing needs in Howard County, Maryland. In Nasar J. and Evans-Cowley J. (Eds). Universal design and visitability: from accessibility to zoning, 69-96. Accessed on 30th April, 2014 from https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/24833/UniversalDesign&Visitability2007.pdf;jsessionid=BF39A489F4FDAAE771E3EE606D29CCF0?sequence=2

Lid M. (2013). An ethical perspective. Trends in universal design: An anthology with global perspectives, theoretical aspects and real world examples. Accessed on 6th September, 2014 from http://www.bufetat.no/PageFiles/9564/Trends%20in%20Universal%20Design-%20PDF-%20lannsert%2016.%20januar.pdf

Mcguire, S. (2011). Assistive technology devices improve life for children. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 10th March, 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Assistive-Technology-Devices-Improve-Life-For-811948.html

McLaren., Philpott S. & Hlophe R. (1996). Do assistive devices really assist disabled people? Retrieved 10th March, 2013 from http://dpobahamas.webs.com/doassistivedevicesreallyassistdisabledpersons.html

Munro. (2008). Empowering looked-after children. Child & Family Social Work, 6(2), 129–137. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2206.2001.00192.x

Oso, W. & Onen, D. (2005). A general guide to writing research proposal and report. Makerere University: Kampala.

Pagel, M. & Harris, F. (2002). Design for access 2. Manchester City Council. Retrieved from www.manchester.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/20431/design_for_access_2.pdf on 20th February 2012.

Solidere (2004). Accessibility for the disabled, a design manual for a barrier free environment. Urban management department of the Lebanese company for the development. and reconstruction of Beirut Central District (SOLIDERE). United Nations. Retrieved on 15th November, 2011 from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm/index.html

Downloads

Published

2017-11-30

How to Cite

Ahonobadha, M. A. (2017). Accessibility of washrooms in bus terminals in Western Kenya to learners with physical disability. Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, 7(2), 99–126. https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v7i2.121

Issue

Section

Architecture and Construction