PWDs accessibility audit: commercial complexes, Klang Valley, Malaysia / Ahmad Ezanee Hashim … [et al.]

Barriers may restrict the mobility of people with disabilities (PWDs) in a building. This research identifies the effectiveness of accessibility in commercial complexes in the Klang valley in the state of Selangor Malaysia. Data were based from semi structured interviews and site audit with four groups of respondents of different type of disability. The finding reveals it is mandatory requirements to provide user friendly accessibility within and outside buildings as there are weaknesses found such as poor thought out solution, poor quality materials, limited guidelines and weak enforcement by the relevant authorities. The findings highlighted could be a benchmark for PWDs building industry in developing a user friendly and accessible building environment in commercial complexes

Physical access for disabled people's inclusion in the city centre: the case of Kuala Lumpur

The aim of this research is to investigate the physical accessibility of Kuala Lumpur (KL) city centre, and its effects on the inclusion of disabled people. KL represents cities of the upper-middle-income that face challenges due to issues related to building control and planning frameworks, political and financial resources and tensions between economic development and other priorities. The research thus has broader relevance to other cities from the same region with similar social and cultural contexts, and also to other cities facing similar challenges at similar socio-economic transitions. The qualitative research design comprised 20 go-along interviews with participants with mobility difficulties in order to understand their lived experience in accessing the city centre which included their experiences with transportation, buildings, and the street level environment. It also included 39 semi-structured interviews with professional stakeholders to gather data regarding the provision of physical access in the city. The research highlights that measures were taken in providing physical access but barriers remained to people with disabilities. Generally, mobility impaired individuals especially wheelchair users still require assistance from others to continue their journey to the city centre. The findings of this research help to deepen the understanding of person-environment interaction that includes environmental aspects (external factors) and personal biography of disabled people while filling a gap in the field of human geography. Finally, it provides insights into pathways for change in order to facilitate the physical access and inclusion of disabled people, and other city centre users, which can be led by implementers, regulators and policymakers

The Implementation of the Malaysian Standard Code of Practice on Access for Disabled Persons by Local Authority

AbstractPublic buildings need to provide access and facilities for people with disabilities (PWDs) in fulfilling the requirements of Malaysian Standard Code of Practice on Access for Disabled Persons (MS). This study aims at measuring the local authority awareness in providing access and facilities for the PWDs and their knowledge in implementing the MS. Questionnaires were distributed to the technical team from various departments in Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Malaysia. Finding shows that the score of respondents’ level of awareness in providing access and facilities for the PWDs is higher compared to their knowledge in implementing the MS

Access and Accessibility Audit in Commercial Complex: Effectiveness in Respect to People with Disabilities (PWDs)

AbstractPhysical barriers may restrict people with disabilities (PWDs) movement in building. This study identifies the effectiveness of accessibility in commercial complex in the state of Selangor Malaysia. Data were collected from semi structured interviews with four groups of respondents with different type of disability and on-site access audit. The finding reveals it is mandatory requirements to provide user friendly accessibility within and outside buildings as there are weaknesses found such as poor thought out solution, poor quality materials, limited guidelines and weak enforcement by the relevant authorities. Future directions highlighted could be a benchmark for PWDs building industry in developing a user friendly and accessible building environment in commercial complex