DEVELOPING METHODOLOGY for ACCESSIBILITY RESEARCH in RURAL ENVIRONMENTS TRANSED th SEPTEMBER, 2012 GAURAV RAHEJA, Ph.D. Assistant Professor. Dept. of Architecture & Planning Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee

method rural accessibility

I N D I A = Rural Bharat + Urban India 70%30% 600,000 villages 700 million people

Demographic Status 1 in 20 individuals has disability [ UN ] 3 out of 4 of those live in Developing Nations 1/3 rd of world’s disabled population is in India High prevalence rate of Movement disabilities Complex scenario – More than 70% live in rural areas 3.2 % higher prevalence of disabilities in rural areas …..and the numbers are increasing

Types of DisabilitiesNumber of DisabledPercentage Seeing Speech Hearing Movement Mental Total Source : Census 2001 Demographic Status

Identification of Issues / stakeholders Perceptions vs Reality Background studies Tacit Knowledge Literature Reviews Precedent / Case studies Reconnaissance surveys Qualitative / Quantitative analysis Field studies Survey Interactions Community Participation Tacit Knowledge Focus group discussions Sketch design evolution Alternative concepts Prototype development Full scale modelling Feedbacks Methodological Development

Impairment Disability Handicap Person Environment New Conception of Disablement Process I C I D H – 2002 International Classification of Impairments Disabilities and Handicaps

Poverty and Disability – a vicious cycle

MOBILITY ACTIVITIES

MOBILITY AIDS

Case Studies

S.No.ParametersDefinition 1Reachability Ability to reach from the station point to the location where one performs that ADL. 2AccessibilityAbility to enter and exit from the facility 3UsabilityAbility to use the space and complete the ADL 4Safety The sense of imbalance, lack of support wrt the ADL 5PrivacyThe feeling of being secured and not being looked over while ADL is under performance TOILETING ACTIVITIES

Toileting Perceptual Experience Rating

Personal Factors Age Sex Education Caste/ Religion Occupation Economic Factors Degree of Disability Disability type Assistive Device Physical Walking surfaces Presence / Absence of built features Thresholds/ Levels Long Distances to cover Lack of resting spaces Open Drainage Privacy Spatial Layout Social Family Support Extended Family support Friends Acquaintances People in Authority Health Professionals Institutional Individual’s attitude Family Attitude Social Norms / Practices of the Region / Religion Rehabilitation Policies Individualistic Approach vs Community Approaches Environmental Factors

Conceptual Model of Understanding

Universal Design Principles Simple and Intuitive use The use of design is easy to understand regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills or concentration levels. Equitable use The design does not disadvantage or stigmatize any group of users. Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities. Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended fatigue. Flexibility in use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Low physical effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Size and space for approach and use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use, regardless of the user’s body size, posture or mobility.

Bottom-up methodology of Universal Design Source: Goldsmith. S, (2001)

the barefoot designers DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Source : Cambodia WATSAN Report Child resting on the flat area of the ramp Gradient of the Ramp

Aids and Adaptations

Issues of Appropriateness for the Rural Context Cost and Affordability Locally available materials and resources Cultural acceptability Local beliefs and attitudes Gender appropriateness

future RESEARCH DIRECTIONS Very little representative work in the domain of accessibility for rural Environments. Database creation on accessibility issues with reference to diverse disability needs in rural contexts. Lack of reliable measurement/analytical tools Development of reliable methodological tools for measurability and analysis Individualised solution approach needs to extend beyond. Solutions evolved through participatory approach and based upon the principles of universal design need to be developed. CONCLUDING REMARKS &

Approach to PROBLEM

Almost anything you do will be insignificant but it is very important that you do it. - Mahatma Gandhi gaurav raheja