FUNCTIONAL INTERIORS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS 4(2+2)

Lesson 11:Housing Environments for Special purposes and Needs : Accessible

Legislations

Various countries have legislation requiring physical accessibility in public and private areas.

• In India "Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 enacted by the Government of India on January 1, 1996 are to create barrier free environment for persons with disabilities and to make special provisions for the integration of persons with disabilities into the social mainstream. Chapter VII of the Act, Sections 44 to 46 deal with non-discrimination in transport on the roads and in the built environment. The main objectives of this Act are to create barrier free environment for persons with disabilities and to make special provisions for the integration of persons with disabilities into the social mainstream.
• In the US, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, new public and private business construction generally must be accessible. The U.S. Access Board is "A Federal Agency Committed to Accessible Design for People with Disabilities." Many states in the US have their own disability laws.
• In Australia, Disability Discrimination Act 1992 has numerous provisions for accessibility.
• In the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has numerous provisions for accessibility.
• In South Africa the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 has numerous provisions for accessibility.
• In Ontario, Canada, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2001 is meant to "improve the identification, removal and prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities."