THE ROLE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF PROFESSIONALS
A. The Islamic Republic of Iran (1)
1. Introduction
There are a number of associations of professionals for persons with disabilities and elderly people in the Islamic Republic of Iran, notably:
(a) The State Welfare Organization (SWO)
This is a national, state-owned organization with a membership of 10,000. It is the largest, financially independent organization for the support of disabled persons in Iran.
(b) The Mostazafan and Janbazan (Oppressed and Disabled Veterans) Foundation (MJF)
This was established in 1979. In 1989, responsibility for the management of the welfare of persons who had been disabled during the war with Iraq was entrusted to this foundation.
(c) The Iranian Handicapped Society (IHS)
The Society was founded in 1979. It has an estimated membership of 4,000. It deals specifically with persons who require walking devices and wheelchairs. The Society provides services to its members in the Tehran area and has offices in all provinces.
(d) The Iranian National Centre for the Deaf (INCD)
Founded in 1960, the estimated membership of INCD is 24,000. It is an ordinary member of the World Federation of the Deaf. INCD supports persons with hearing and/or speech difficulties. INCD realizes the importance of recognizing the capabilities of these persons and makes a determined effort to integrate them into society.
(e) The Building and Housing Research Centre (BHRC)
This was the first governmental body to begin studies in urban planning and architectural developments for disabled persons in Iran. Its findings are sent to the Iranian High Council for Architecture and Urban Planning to be approved for national implementation.
2. The role of associations of professionals in the formulation of legislation, policies and guidelines on accessibility
The Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation, the Iranian National Centre for the Deaf, and the Iranian Handicapped Society prepare recommendations concerning the provision of support services and accessibility improvements for new public buildings and facilities, public housing and transport systems. Their recommendations are usually forwarded to policy-makers and legislators via:
- The Ministry of Education, in the case of recommendations concerning educational systems, methods, media, materials and facilities;
- The State Welfare Organization, in the case of recommendations concerning the provision of services that facilitate life in the community for elderly and disabled persons, stressing equality and full participation, and providing financial subsidies and assistive devices;
- The Building and Housing Research Centre, in the case of recommendations concerning the provision of standards and guidelines to ensure a built environment that is accessible to all.
3. Major activities of the Iranian and Handicapped Society (IHS)
The major activities of the IHS are as follows:
(a) Educational and cultural activities
- The promotion of cultural and educational equality for disabled and elderly persons;
- Campaigns against illiteracy;
- The exchange of information with other related associations and institutions; and
- The translation and publication of relevant books, magazines and newsletters.
(b) Social and legislative activities
The submission of recommendations to authorities to remove barriers to the built environment, to provide employment information, as well as to reduce negative social attitudes.
(c) Social mobilization activities
- The preparation of publications related to the above-mentioned activities;
- The holding of seminars, handicraft exhibitions, plays, leisure and recreational activities, all involving the skills of disabled and elderly persons; and
- Suggesting employment training programmes for disabled and/or elderly persons.
(d) Training
The IHS holds training seminars on various aspects of the barrier-free environment. The purpose of these seminars is:
- To encourage members to take part in social affairs in their own local area;
- To distribute information about the rights of individuals;
- To allow direct contact with authorities;
- To introduce new publications or devices; and
- To distribute information on employment opportunities.
Two-day seminars are held three or four times a year. The IHS also organizes tours to take members to holy cities all over Iran.
(e) Working Group for the Adaptation of Built Environment
Due to financial limitations, the IHS does not have any kind of working group. However, the Tehran Engineering and Technical Consulting Organization (TETCO) has a working group, namely the Working Group for the Adaptation of Built Environments. It is headed by an architect who is a member of the IHS. The working group comprises two architects, a mechanical engineer, an urban planner, a researcher, a translator and an editor. The working group ensures that it is up-to-date on the activities of similar associations around the world. The main functions of the group are:
- To design accessibility guidelines that include persons with all kinds of disabilities;
- To review and compare national access legislation and standards with those of other countries;
- To draft research findings and submit them to the Tehran Municipality.
It is hoped that these activities will be used to create a barrier-free environment.
4. Dissemination of information on accessibility issues
(a) Seminar resolutions
These usually contain access recommendations for the construction and renovation of public buildings, housing, and street environments. Recommendations are delivered to all participants in the seminars.
(b) Newsletters
IHS produces a monthly newsletter. Articles and materials are accepted from members, architects, researchers and translators. The newsletter includes reports on sporting activities for disabled persons, advice and guidance, and efforts by any associations to improve accessibility.
(c) IHS library
Most publications in the well-stocked library are in the Farsi language. Books and journals cover information on access guidance, design standards, and social concerns relating to disabilities. Apart from lending publications, the library also provides the necessary resources for the board of IHS. The library holds copies of all recent legislation, research and policies on access. To obtain the most recent documents, including international information, on health and rehabilitation, the IHS regularly contacts the Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation.
5. IHS plans and targets concerning activities to promote access concerns
The plans and targets of the IHS concerning the promotion of access focus on the following:
- Promoting respect for persons with disabilities by integrating them in all aspects of society;
- Providing a barrier-free environment;
- Providing supplementary assistive devices to disabled persons and their families;
- Creating designs to be presented to government authorities, organizations, architects and designers; and
- Promoting vocational skills training, employment opportunities, recreational facilities and religious activities for elderly and disabled persons.
B. Japan (2)
1. Introduction
The importance of barrier-free design has become clearer as society ages. Several local governments in Japan have drawn up design guidelines and applied them in public buildings. However, in practice, barrier-free designs have hardly become widespread.
It may be difficult to realize barrier-free designs without a change in legislation, the clients' awareness, and also designers' intentions. A survey was recently conducted by Kazuoki Ohara of Yokohama National University to gain an insight into the way of realizing a non-handicapping environment in the future, by detailing designers' current awareness in relation to barrier-free design.
2. Method of survey
A questionnaire was drawn up in order to assess the personal awareness of architects in respect of barrier-free design. The persons surveyed were members of Japan's Institute of Architects (JIA). A sample of 460 architects selected at random from the membership directory of JIA was made in 1991. The response rate was 43 per cent (198 out of 460). Items covered in the questionnaire included:
- The degree of recognition of the term "Access for people with disabilities";
- Problems in barrier-free design;
- The awareness of legislation relating to barrier-free design;
- Opinions concerning the establishment of accessibility legislation;
- The future inclusion of buildings which are exempted from barrier-free design requirement;
- Requirements of buildings in an ageing society;
- Opinions concerning the promotion of a non-handicapping environment; and
- The educational process necessary in establishing a non-handicapping environment.
3. Outline of the subjects of the survey
JIA is a grouping of architects and designers. To qualify as a member, one must have designing experience. Seventy per cent of those who responded to the questionnaire had practical experience of more than 21 years. But barely one third had experience of barrier-free design. Seven per cent had learned a little about the theory and technique of barrier-free design when receiving their architectural education, but 86 per cent had hardly studied anything about the subject. On the whole, most of those who responded to the questionnaire did not have enough practical knowledge of barrier-free design.
4. Degree of recognition of terms relating to access for people with disabilities
Four terms, "barrier-free design", "non-handicapping environment", "normalization", "ADA" (Americans with Disabilities Act) were examined in relation to their comprehension by those professionals surveyed. Twenty per cent answered "I don't know at all" even in relation to the most common term "barrier-free design". Since "ADA" has only been recently in force in the United States, the degree of recognition was understandably very low.
5. Problems in barrier-free design
The availability of too little technical information about barrier-free design was considered the biggest problem by designers responding to the survey, accounting for 52 per cent of all replies. Increasing the cost of designs, at 48 per cent of responses, and the need to increase the necessary area and decrease design efficiency (41 per cent) were mentioned as big problems. The opinion that barrier-free design resulted in design limitations accounted for 25 per cent of all responses. Regarding this last view, if categorized according to whether designers had experience in barrier-free design or not, the number of designers who had such experience is greater than number of those who did not have it. They apparently did not really appreciate the limitations until they applied the concepts in practice.
6. Awareness of the need for legislation for barrier-free design
When considering the need for legislation to promote barrier-free design, there were two almost equal groups. One (88 persons in the survey, or 45 per cent) took the standpoint of favouring legislation, expressing views such as "It is for the nation to enforce building codes throughout Japan, including regulations concerning barrier-free design" (39 per cent of the group) or "At least, in the Tokyo and Osaka metropolitan areas, municipal ordinances have to be established across the board and carried out" (6 per cent of the group). The other group took the standpoint of favouring "independent flexibility" (a total of 96 persons or 48 per cent), expressing such views as "Each local government had better decide whether it should establish a municipal ordinance or not, taking into account local conditions, the occupancy of buildings, the scale of a building and so on" (20 per cent of replies) or "Since municipal ordinances carry important legal restrictions, it is better to have general guidelines" (28 per cent of replies).
Whether designers had or did not have experience in barrier-free design, the replies of both groups were almost same. But concerning the problem of design, the group in favour of legislation contained more who mentioned problems than the other group. They may have become aware that legal enforcement is necessary and the independent efforts of architects to apply barrier-free design has limitations.
7. Opinions in favour of the establishment of accessibility legislation
In the group favouring legislation, 30 per cent considered it was necessary to establish strongly restrictive legislation. Some expressed the practical views that legislation should be introduced along with a system of subsidies, or that legislation should not apply to small buildings.
On the other hand, a little over half of the group in favour of independent flexibility expressed optimistic views of architects' abilities, with such comments as "If designers' awareness is improved, barrier-free design will be reflected in their design naturally."
8. Future inclusion of the buildings which are exempted from barrier-free design requirements
In the case of the future inclusion of the buildings which are exempted from barrier-free design today, a question concerning whether government support is necessary or not for implementing this policy was asked. The opinion "Since the present situation is good enough, it is unnecessary" came from 20 per cent of those surveyed, and 60 per cent considered that government support was necessary. Among those who favoured legislation, 75 per cent considered subsidies to promote barrier-free structures were necessary.
9. The function of a building in an ageing society
Respondents were asked what was required of the functions of a building in an ageing society. Sixty-five per cent replied that "At least, all public buildings must be accessible for wheelchair users." Among those in favour of legislation almost 80 per cent held this view.
Among those favouring independent flexibility, more than 20 per cent considered that a building should be designed to be improved flexibly according to its users.
10. Opinions concerning the promotion of non-handicapping environments
Differing opinions were expressed about the promotion of non-handicapping environments between the two groups. Some 22 per cent of those in favour of legislation felt such environments should be promoted quickly, and 7.4 per cent of those in favour of independent flexibility felt likewise. Among the first group, 18.4 per cent considered one should judge whether it was necessary or not according to the occupancy, scale and so on of a building, a view shared by 32.6 per cent of the group in favour of flexibility.
A midway opinion "It is better to promote such environments gradually" was held by some 40 per cent of both groups, being the most common view.
11. The necessity of education to establish non-handicapping environments
Respondents were asked whether they considered it desirable to introduce education about non-handicapping environments as part of education in the elementary or secondary school. Sixty per cent were in favour. Among those favouring legislation 71.3 per cent were in favour.
Others considered it was better to introduce specialist education in departments of architecture, medicine, welfare and social in higher education (14.9 per cent of the total held this view, 10.3 per cent of those favouring legislation, and 21.3 per cent of those favouring independent flexibility). Just over 16 per cent considered that education of barrier-free design should be provided only for specialists.
12. Conclusion
Respondents to this survey of Japanese architects fell into two groups of almost equal numbers. One group considered that legislation should be promoted positively and the other held the view favouring independent flexibility in relation to barrier-free design. The two groups had different opinions about the way to achieve a non-handicapping environment.
On the whole, it was considered that legislation should eventually be established. The non-handicapping environment should be promoted gradually and education drawing attention to the difficulties faced by people with disabilities should be given in an early stage of the education system.
C. The Philippines (3)
1. Introduction
Engineering organizations in the rural areas are seldom active, except where major projects are under way or where industrial complexes are operational. Most organizations of professionals, whether rural or urban, are partially dependent on the sponsorship of suppliers and industrialists. It is not easy to divert their attention to the cause of the disabled. Many of them have not even heard of ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act). Four specific organizations of professionals will be dealt within this review.
2. The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
In spite of the United Nations Decade for the Disabled 1983-1992 little awareness of the needs of the disabled and elderly has been evident in the proceedings of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) association.
However, some two years ago, discussion of items in relation to disabled persons other than ramps or parking space requirements began as architects increasingly felt the need to come to terms with the legal requirements, backed by stiff penalties, for violating provisions relating to accessibility.
In May 1994 the UAP held a forum on the Accessibility Law. This discussed the increase in penalties for contraventions of the Accessibility Law from Pesos 5,000 and/or one year imprisonment to Pesos 100,000 and/or two years imprisonment for the first offence, Pesos 200,000 and/or six years imprisonment for subsequent offences, and the need for architects, owners, and contractors to be very careful, especially if somebody is hurt or dies due to any violation of the Accessibility Law, when criminal charges may prove to be very serious. This provoked comments from many architects that they never felt so threatened in their lives.
The Accessibility Law was summarized covering the prime areas of usable parking spaces, toilets, elevators, telephone booths, and ramps.
3. The Philippine Association for Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI)
PASWI is a association of professionals with 1,200 members which promotes barrier-free environments through lectures and symposia. It believes there is a need to strengthen programmes for disabled persons in rural areas, but efforts are being made by the Government to reach out to the disabled through the community-based programmes for disabled persons. These include training in orientation and mobility and the provision of aids to improve accessibility for disabled persons.
PASWI has very limited information and technical materials on accessibility, and its resource library is less than extensive in holdings of materials on accessibility. PASWI's work with organizations of people with disabilities concerning access issues is only through meetings, workshops, and conferences.
4. The Council of Health Agencies
The Council of Health Agencies is a federation of 19 professional health organizations which promotes accessibility through scientific forums, symposia, seminars, etc.
5. The Philippine Association of the Retarded
This association is less concerned with the physically disabled than the mentally disadvantaged and is not much involved in accessibility programmes.
6. Non-professional associations
There are several other NGO associations or organizations for disabled and or elderly persons recognized by the Government. These include the Philippine Association of the Deaf (with 250 members), VIDERE Inc. (with 200 members), and the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (with 65,000 members).
The associations of professionals are not very active in the formulation of legislation, policies and guidelines or standards concerning accessibility, but they are consulted by Congress and by the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).
An effective way of improving awareness about access issues in urban and rural areas is through a continuing information campaign. The methods employed by the associations of professionals are through seminars, workshops, the simulation of personal experience of disability, and the marking of a designated day given over to support disabled and elderly persons.
D. Singapore (4)
1. Formulation of legislation, policies and guidelines/standards on accessibility
The Research and Documentation Committee of 1979-80 of the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), considered the inception of a design code relating to accessibility. Its report was entitled "Barrier-Free Design for the Physically Handicapped in Singapore". It was intended as a voluntary code which architects should try to persuade their clients to adopt and was published in the 1981 SIA Yearbook. Also in 1981, the Singapore Council of Social Services (now the National Council of Social Services), published a useful booklet entitled Access Singapore: a Guidebook of Accessible Places in Singapore for the Physically Disabled. It was compiled to raise users' awareness of existing facilities and to persuade owners of buildings of the advantages of accessible buildings. The booklet was updated in 1989, and again in 1991.
A special issue of the November/December 1982 SIA Journal, Designing for the Handicapped, included an article on "Modifying our environment for the disabled: a question of concern". The journal contained graphic illustrations of some of the typical problems faced by wheelchair users.
In 1983, a committee recommended that the building regulations should be amended to incorporate an Accessibility Code, that basic accessibility features should be incorporated in all government buildings, and that public walkways, parks and gardens should be similarly accessible.
There appears to have been some reaction to the idea of introducing legislation which would affect all new buildings. In July 1985 a committee was appointed to find solutions to the problems of non-accessibility to buildings. This committee decided that voluntary incorporation of access features was a better option than the imposition of mandatory measures on building owners.
The SIA, with about 800 members, and the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (REDAS), with about 300 members, agreed to adopt the guidelines set by the committee. Professional and private sector organizations were slow to adopt voluntarily these standards. It seemed that without some form of legislation, a truly barrier-free environment would not be possible.
2. The contribution of the Housing and Development Board (HDB)
The HDB, the major housing authority in Singapore, has been largely responsible for rehousing 87 per cent of the population over the last 31 years.
Apartments, almost invariably in high-rise blocks, are usually owned by occupants. High standard maintenance of exteriors and public areas is undertaken by the HDB. In recent years, a programme of upgrading and renovating some aspects of these apartment blocks has been carried out.
Since January 1985, the HDB has incorporated access features in all new buildings. HDB provisions are in line with the Accessibility Code and allow for features such as wide access decks, lift landings on each floor, and ramp access from external car parks to lift lobbies.
Many of the HDB's architectural staff are also members of the SIA. There is, therefore, a solid connection between their drafting of regulations and the implementation in the public sector.
3. The Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA)
The SIA promotes issues concerning the architectural profession in Singapore. It has many committees which deal with various aspects of architectural practice. These committees liaise with all SIA members, the Government, other professional organizations and the press. The SIA regularly organizes talks, seminars, competitions and exhibitions. However, no specific training activities on access concerns have been carried out to date.
The SIA's Regulations and Standards Committee (RSC) is working with the Handicaps Welfare Association and the National Council of Social Services on a joint publication on accessibility. Its resource library includes mainly professional journals, government publications and architectural reference books. Resource materials on access issues are rather limited.
The SIA has been liaising with the Handicaps Welfare Association to promote an increased dialogue about and a greater understanding of accessibility. In its new corporate plan, the SIA intends to become more active and to promote the access concerns of elderly and disabled persons as a major area of interest.
1. Based on paper by Baby Ahari Mehdi, Researcher, Tehran Engineering and Technical Consulting Organization, Tehran.
2. Based on a paper by Katsushi Satoh, Senior Researcher, Building Research Institute, Ministry of Construction, Ibaraki, Japan.
3. Based on a paper by Angel Lazaro, Jr., Member, Federation of Organizations for Disabled Persons in the Philippines, Inc. (KAMPI), Quezon City, the Philippines.
4. Based on paper by Ken Lou, Architect, Ken Lou Associates, Singapore.
Go back to the Contents
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Promotion of Non-Handicapping Physical Environments for Disabled Persons: Case Studies
- Chapter 5 -
UNITED NATIONS
New York, 1995