Minimum Requirements for an Accessible Shelter according to

GAATES and Lahat Handa

Universal Design and Accessibility of Built Environment
Accessible Shelter
DIDRR

Lahat Handa

Site and sidewalk

- Free of obstacles to allow access

- Flat (minimal level changes for
for people who use mobility devices better mobility and ensure flat and
such as wheelchairs and crutches. uniform surfaces with surface
water drainage in place)
- Accessible (if entrances are placed
at locations where the floor level is
close to the ground, accessibility
would be easier and less expensive
to achieve; plans could just be
rotated or flipped to bring
entrances closer to grade, avoiding
the need to provide stairs or ramp),
and cleared from rubble and
debris.

Pathways

- Free of steps and stairs

- Wide enough to accommodate a
wheelchair
- Free of obstacles such as
projecting building elements
- If sidewalks are provided, they
should have curb ramps
- Identified so that people know
where to find the route

- Accessible and cleared from

obstacles
- Ground is firm (compacted
material, concrete), non-slippery,
without obstacle for the wheel, the
foot or the cane
- Should be 120cm wide in order for
a wheelchair to circulate
- If an obstacle cannot be avoided,
width can be reduced to a
minimum of 90cm on a short
distance.
- Protrusion hazards (overhead
hazards) above the path are located
at a height of 2.20m above the
ground
- Small steps or ground level
changes must be avoided. If not,
rounded edges and chamfer are
applied

- Wheel guard prevents the

wheelchair from tripping over and
serves as a guide for blind users.
Entrance

- Must be at ground level or be

equipped with a ramp or easy slope
- Should be clear of obstacles (1000
mm wide)
- Should be easy and intuitive to
locate for everyone, including for
persons with a vision or cognitive
disability
- Connected to an accessible
roadway
- Have a clear path that has a
smooth surface
- Have curb ramps where sidewalks
exist

- Possibility to install a ramp

- For blind users or persons with
low vision, stairs are not an
obstacle. Stairs must equipped with
handrails, colour contrasting
warning band (yellow paint) on
step nosing, and step height of
15cm and step depth 30cm.

- Openings are at least 80 cm wide,

in order for a wheelchair to pass
through (width of 90cm is more
comfortable for wheelchair users
and reduces hands injuries).
- Entrances have contrasting color
to make it easier for persons with
visual impairment to identify them
(the color of the doors should
contrast with the wall. If the color
of the door is not contrasting with
wall, door frames can be painted
with a contrasting color (i.e. yellow)
Doors

- Easy to open with minimal

resistance
- Wide enough (800 mm) with space
adjacent to the door to enable
people who use wheelchairs to pull
or push the door open
- With latch or handle that is easy to
operate

- Accessible and easy to open and

close or people with disability
- Door thresholds are < 1.2cm
- Door handles are located at a
height of 90cm above the ground
and should either be D-lever or
vertical handles (easy to grab), a
horizontal grab at a height of 80cm
above the ground can be added to

- With space beside the door to

the doors in order to facilitate the
enable people to easily pull or push closing)
the door open
- Height of the base of the windows
< 80cm
- Windows must be equipped with
lever handles or similar system that
easy to use
Ramps

- Should have a safe slope, no

greater than 1:12; steeper than 1:12
can be dangerous as a wheelchair
might tip over backwards
- Should have a side edge or
handrail to protect someone from
wheeling off the edge
- Should be at least 900 mm wide
- Should have enough room at the
top and bottom to provide a safe
landing so someone can turn

- Slope should not exceed 5%, one

landing area at the top and one
landing area at the bottom:
minimum 1.40m x 1.40m

Handrails

- Should be at a consistent height

above each step (865-965 mm)
- Above the surface of the ramp for
the entire length of the stair or
ramp

- Must be installed both on stairs

and ramps at a height of 70cm and
90cm when the slope exceeds 5
percent
- Must be easy to grab: diameter
4cm
- Must be solid enough to support
bodyweight

Spaces inside

- Wide enough to allow a

wheelchair user to circulate and
complete a full turn (Wheelchair
users need a clear surface of 1.50 m
x 1.50 m to complete a full turn)
- Floor is solid, no- slippery and
non-reflective

Switches

- Electrical lighting has been

provided to increase accessibility
and safety
- Switches or controls must be
located at a height of 90cm above
the ground and must be easy to use

Sanitary facilities

- Pathway is connected to the

sanitary facilities; most habitual,
direct and the shortest
- Space outside or inside the toilet is
wide enough to allow a person in a
wheelchair to complete a full turn
(Clear surface of 1.5 m x 1.5 m,
clear surface must be provided
either inside or outside the cabin)
- Toilet seat at a height of 45-50cm
- Grab bar to facilitate the transfer
(installed at a height of 80cm above
the ground and strong enough to
support body weight).