As part of our advocacy, #OneAccessibility, we shall share information about disability issues, inclusion, and/or accessibility features on Maps. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
Caption: Photo showing housing units across a road and green verge with trees in Lakowe Estate.
Most cities are truly unfriendly for people with disabilities but as the advocacy has continued to spread, urban centres are getting significant changes to enable PwDs become part of the society. Nevertheless more must be done as over one billion people have a form of disability globally.
Developing an accessible community must be holistic – accessibility to the houses, roads and facilities within the neighborhood should intersect freely. It includes activities such as walking, running, cycling and other ease to modes of transportation. An accessible community should be made convenient for everyone including wheelchair users, visually impaired, hearing impaired, person with limited mobility and more.
In Africa, accessibility is still a major challenge especially for built areas. Despite having provisions in building codes, considerations for accessible features are neglected even for newly built spaces and residential areas. So, we are left to appreciate a few who make such efforts to construct accessible and inclusive buildings.
Caption: A photo showing a road with zebra crossing and cycling lane while Local Guides walk down the pathway.
One neighbourhood that has shown some sense of inclusivity by considering diverse persons is the Lakowe Golf Estate. It is located in Lagos, Nigeria. Lakowe Estate is a residential layout with access to various facilities including golf course, club house and lakes. The remarkable thing that caught my attention was the road features which took into consideration pedestrians, motorcyclists, vehicles, and wheelchair users and bicyclists.
While building accessible layouts, experts are reminded to follow building codes and international guidelines for built areas. Government agencies should ensure that individuals and companies carry out their work in accordance with the appropriate accessibility laws. Consult experts in your city or relevant agencies for the current building code. What really constitutes basic feature of an accessible community or neighborhood?
Caption: Two ramps leading to the main multipurpose hall in Lakowe
Basic accessibility features for an accessible neighborhood:
Curb Ramps
Large Side or Pedestrian Walk
Pedestrian Crossings
Tactile marking
Signs
Parking
So, is your neighborhood really accessible? Tell us about your experience.
If you have a question, suggestion, or contribution, feel free to comment below. You can read last week’s roundup article and check the list of our other articles under “Accessibility Uncovered”
