Assessing the Accessibility of the Built Environment to Persons With Reduced Mobility, a Case of Narok Town

Abstract

Reduced mobility is part of a normal life cycle that many people likely experience during some period of their life. It might lead to transient or permanent disability and usually arises from an accident, old age, carrying heavy luggage, a woman being pregnant, challenges with low vision etc. Disability is estimated to affect one billion people, that is about 15% of the global population, and this figure is projected to increase to about 6.25 billion by the year 2050. However, there is a general absence of accessibility features in the built environment, including in public structures, streets, sidewalks, and open areas. Many public buildings and spaces lack accessible washrooms, ramps, tactile paving, lifts, braille signage and other accessibility requirements. The target of this study was to evaluate the accessibility of the built environment to persons with reduced mobility in Narok town. The study used the qualitative methodology to explore the phenomenon where observation and measurement, and interviews were used to collect data. Key building elements that were examined included; external approaches, entrances and reception areas, room spaces, horizontal and vertical circulations, toilets and washrooms, information provision and signage, guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act checklist for readily achievable barrier removal. Interviews were conducted to find out hindrances to accessibility incorporation in the built environment in Narok town. Research findings showed that the most accessible were entrances/approaches and route of travel components in the built environment in Narok town while vertical circulation, getting and using washrooms was the least accessible component in buildings. Pedestrian walkways were also lacking accessibility provisions such as kerb ramps, street furniture, required width, and raised humps for pedestrian crossing on roads. Data further revealed that lack of enforcement of policies and regulations that guide accessibility inclusion as well as insufficient awareness contributed to lack of accessibility in the built environment in Narok town. Interventions that can improve accessibility inclusion were also suggested where enforcement of policies and regulations as well as creation of awareness on the importance and need for accessibility inclusion in the built environment ranked highest. The implication of this study points to the need for inclusion of accessibility components to encourage equal engagement of persons in the built environment and the society without leaving others behind because of disability.