Background
In order to help disabled students, AF Bostäder in association with Lund Municipality accessibility adviser Jan-Erik Johansson has produced this description of basic accessibility in AF Bostäder apartments. The criteria for basic accessibility are based on guidelines drawn up by Lund Municipality in association with AF Bostäder. We have examined the parts of AF Bostäder stock that could be of special interest to the disabled. In particular, the residences built in the 90s have been assessed as most suitable because the other properties were built before design for accessibility became part of the planning of residences. Through this information on basic accessibility, we hope to facilitate the choice of residence for disabled students, but we cannot guarantee that it will suit all types of disability or that it will provide complete documentation. The object of this report is to give disabled students better information on AF Bostäder residences. The information was found to be satisfactory in 2004 as a one-year research project, and because experience of this handicap declaration has been good, we decided to make it a permanent feature.
We will be grateful for your opinions on this information.
Please send it by e-mail to Elisabeth Melin.
Criteria for basic accessibility in student residences
Basic accessibility in student residences refers to physical accessibility so that disabled students can move in and perform their studies. These criteria are intended to act as a help to the mobility and visually impaired, but it is of course individual students who must eventually decide for themselves whether the accommodation meets their individual needs.
Note that the word ‘good’ is used to indicate that the given criterion has been met, whereas the word ‘acceptable’ is used where a criterion is at a somewhat lower level than ‘good’ but the point has nevertheless been assessed as accessible. It is important that everyone makes a personal evaluation on the basis of their own conditions.
Entry conditions:
1.1 Access to building from outside
It should be possible to have a car-park/drop-off point for disability vehicles approx 25 m from an accessible entrance. Footpaths will have hard surfaces without subsidence or holes. Any steps in the footpath should be fitted with ramps or lifting arrangements. Gradients of ramps may not exceed 1:12. Differences in level of more that 0.5 m will have ramps with intermediate rests. Cycle-sheds should be located outside the footpath.
1.2 Access inside the building
There should be free space adjacent to external doors of approx 0.65 m at the handle side when the door is opened towards the person. When the door is opened away from the person, approx 0.25 m is needed. Free passage size should be at least 0.8 m. Entry phones and code-pads should be located 0.8-1.2 m above ground level and at least 0.5 m from the inner corner to be accessible.
Building:
1.3 Movement within the building
It will be possible to move from the entrance door to all common spaces without traversing staircases or individual steps.
1.4 Laundry, storage, refuse-handling
Laundry, storage, and environmental areas (for waste from refuse sorting) should also be accessible to persons in wheelchairs who are carrying ‘baggage’. Spaces will be accessible without traversing staircases or individual steps.
1.5 Kitchen
Approximately 1.3 m free space is needed in front of kitchen equipment. It should be possible to make individual adjustments if necessary.
1.6 Accommodation
It will be possible for wheelchair users to visit toilets, which should be laid out so that after modification there is space for care assistants as well as separate shower space.
General:
2.1 Footpaths
Footpaths will have hard surfaces without subsidence or holes. Any steps in footpaths should have ramps or lifting arrangements. Cycle-sheds should be located outside footpaths.
2.2 Ramps, slopes
Gradients of ramps should not exceed 1:12. Differences in level of more than 0.5 m will have ramps with intermediate rests.
2.3 Lifts, platform lifts
There should be tactile marking on buttons. The recommended height for these is approx 0.8-1.2 m above floor level. Passage size for doors should be at least 0.8 m.
2.4 Interior doors
There should be space in front of doors of approx 0.45 m at the handle side when the door is opened towards the person (applies to interior doors without closers). Free passage of at least 0.8 m is required. They should be 9M doors (i.e. 90 cm). Maximum height of sills should be 25 mm.
2.5 Measures for safe access
There should be banisters if the staircase height exceeds 0.5 m. Large glass areas in doors and glass areas that could be mistaken for doors or openings should be clearly marked. Upper and lower steps should have contrasting markings to aid the visually impaired.
2.6 Design to facilitate orientation
There should be contrast in colour lightness between interior doors (or door frames) and surrounding walls.
2.7 Summary
Each apartment inspected is given a final assessment.
Magistratsvägen 55 D och E på Delphi
Kämnärsvägen 15 på Kämnärsrätten
Spolegatan 13 - Magasinet
Ällingavägen 10 - 22 på Vildanden
Ällingavägen 5 A - 5 B på Vildanden
Tunavägen 39-47 på Sparta
Klosterängsvägen 5 på Klosterängen