Physical Environment: the rules and guidelines
To develop standards and guidelines and to consider enacting legislation to ensure accessibility to various areas in society,
- housing,
- buildings,
- Public transport services and other means of transportation,
- Streets and other outdoor environment
Accessibility requirements should be included in the design and construction of the physical environment from the beginning of the designing process
Does not include physical accessibility of the private workplace. Is that a significant omission?
Notes:
Rule 5 is a very detailed one, as befits its importance. Its first focus is on rules and guidelines to make the physical environment accessible. A first step is to develop standards and guidelines and, if possible, to enact legislation to ensure that the standards are followed. Many governments have already done so, with important effects. Producing barrier-free access to housing, public buildings, public transportation and streets and other outdoor facililities, has measurably improved the lives of persons with disabilities. The Rule says that these requirements should now be included in all design and construction and many countries have implemented this.
It does not state that private workplaces also have to be made accessible and that has implications for livelihoods. What would be a reasonable rule on that aspect?.
Let’s take a moment to discuss that.