CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN

WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Users

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Brainstorming

Visually Impaired

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Hearing Impaired

Physically Challenged

Speech Impaired

Elders

Temporary Disability

Pregnant Women

New Parents

USERS

Universal Design

ACCESS

Public Spaces

Private Spaces

Government Offices
Parks / Zoos / Museums
Educational Institutes
Heritage Sites
Entertainment
Transportation
Tourist Places

Offices
Shops / Malls
Educational Institutes
Hotels / Resorts
Cafes / Restaurants
Tourist Places
Entertainment

Research I - Field Visit

NID - Washroom on 1st Floor

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Research I - User Study

NID - Washroom on 1st Floor

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Observations
There is ramp at the entrance which
makes easy access for wheel chair
users.
There is sufficient place for a wheel
chair to rotate.
There is no handle support for the
pot.
Height of the wash basin is little low,
but the tap is too far to reach .
Pot is situated in the corner, which
creates difficulty to the person in a
wheelchair.
There is no system provided for
visually impaired people.
Locks are normal type which might
not easily accessible with some
people.
There is sensor type tap which is
easily accessible for everyone.

Research I - Field Visit

Washroom in Alfa One Mall

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Observations
There is sensor system for flushing .
Handle support is there near the toilet seat.
The space is very less to rotate a wheelchair.
The washbasin height is high.
The tap is not easily accessible.

Research I - Field Visit

Bathroom and Washroom in Apang Mandal

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Observations
As it is hostel Bath and Toilets are
separate.
No wide doors for wheel chair to
access.
No commode for wheelchair users.
Hygiene a issue.
No bars to hold.
Normal bathroom tiles used.
No dry area in the bathroom.

Research I - Field Visit

Washroom in Polio Foundation

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Observations
There are hand bars running all
around the toilet.
There is no obstacle for the wheel
chair.
As there are children mostly so the
bars are at low height.
There is no handles around the toilet
seat.
There is enough space for a
wheelchair to rotate.
There is just normal flushing system.
The tap is also very hard to open.

Analysis of Data Collection

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Disability Specific Data in years 2001 and 2002 respectively

Census India

7%

National Sample Survey Organization

14%

6%
10%

28%
10%
10%

2001

2002
51%
15%

49%

Movement

28

Movement

51

Seeing

49

Seeing

15

Mental

10

Mental

10

Speech

07

Speech

10

Hearing

06

Hearing

14

The reports shows that there is huge difference in the number of people with disabilities. Data collection is questionable if we
compare the two charts. Because of incorrect data policies for PWDs cannot be designed accordingly in long term plans of the
state or the central government.

Analysis of Data Collection

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Census India 2001

Percentage distribution of differently challenged by type of disability

10%

12%
5%

4%

5%
52%

10%

Rural

5%
55%

Urban

8%
3%

4%
9%

10%
4%

5%

Locomotor

52

Locomotor

55

Multiple

10

Multiple

12

Mental rtn

04

Mental rtn

04

Mental ill

05

Mental ill

05

Visually Impaired

10

Visually Impaired

08

Low Vision

04

Low Vision

03

Hearing

10

Hearing

09

Speech

05

Speech

04

Analysis of Data Collection

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Percentage distribution of physically challenged

Literacy

Prevalence
Urban

25%
Rural

75%

Employment

Literate

Employed

49%

34%

Non Literate

Unemployed

51%

66%

Ratio of Schools and Colleges*

Rural Area: No. of Special Schools & Colleges
Regular *
Locomotor
Multiple
Mental rtn
Mental ill
Visually Impaired
Low Vision
Hearing
Speech

* I am comparing no. special schools to no. of regular schools in India

Urban Area: No. of Special Schools & Colleges

Regular *
Locomotor
Multiple
Mental rtn
Mental ill
Visually Impaired
Low Vision
Hearing
Speech

Analysis of Data Collection

Type of Disability

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Special School & College

Low Vision

Support Aid

Hearing Aid

Stammering

Slow Learners

REGULAR
SCHOOL

Analysis of Field Visits

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Poor Infrastructure

Lack of Empathy
Lack of Funds

Adamant Attitude of Authorities

Problem Areas

Space Restriction

Lack of Awareness
Overlooked Government Norms
Lack of Knowledge
Waiting for Opportunity

Research II
Questionnaires &Interviews

Research II - Questionnaires & Interviews

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Before interviewing or sending questionnaires I spoke to faculties about my project again. I learned that there are many share holders to make a
Universal Design Washroom. I created a scenario where a person in wheelchair wants to access a washroom but cannot because there are steps to
get inside. He goes to authorities to tell the problem, authorities on the other hand get in touch with NGO who work for the cause. They take the
same issue to the local government body. The local government calls Architect, Builder, Access Auditor, NGO and Officers to address the issue. Team
then discuss the problem and make a blueprint to construct a UD washroom. Access auditor with his team tests the place and approves it.
Moral of the story continues later...

Research II - Questionnaires

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

After first phase of research analysis, I made 3 questionnaires for

- Users
- Non-Users
- Architects
Purpose was to know how they(all the above) use or help someone use the washrooms.

Users
Name
Gender *: Female

Age
Male

Do you know anyone with physical challenge in your family or friends circle? *
How long you have known the person? *
Did you face any problem in accessing washrooms? In case if you had physical weakness, or met with an accident *
Did you help the person to access the washroom ? In case, he / she is physically / visually challenged. *
What problems you faced while you helping that person? *
Are you aware of the term Universal Design?
Did your school had barrier-free environment? *
Was your school washroom / toilet accessible? *
Did you know Government has set some standards for designing washrooms for differently able people? *
What are essential things in a UD washroom? *
Is implementing universal design washrooms in India possible? If yes or no then what is the reason.
Would you re-approach school and college authorities to build UD washrooms for present and future students and staff?

Research II - Questionnaires

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Non Users

Architects

Name

Name

Do you know anyone with physical challenge in your family or friends

circle? *

Do you feel people are realizing the need of UD in public and private
buildings? *

How long you have known the person? *

When designing public buildings what are the things you take into
consideration? *

Did you face any problem in accessing washrooms? In case if you had
physical weakness, or met with an accident *

How much the owner of the project influences you at the time of
designing the building? *

Did you help the person to access the washroom ? In case, he / she is
physically / visually challenged. *

Rate the status of UD in public buildings as an architect *

What problems you faced while you helping that person? *

Select a value from a range from 1,Worst, to 10,Excellent,.

Are you aware of the term Universal Design?

Who do you think is responsible for non inclusive public and private
buildings ? *

Did your school had barrier-free environment? *

Are washrooms designed with the given guidelines by the government? *
Was your school washroom / toilet accessible? *
If Government norms are not followed who faces the consequences? *
Did you know Government has set some standards for designing
washrooms for differently able people? *

While making layout I / we look after following things *

What are essential things in a UD washroom? *

For special needs do you suggest different materials / products ? *

Is implementing universal design washrooms in India possible? If yes or no Why our architects shy away of designing inclusive environment in
then what is the reason.
structures? *

Would you re-approach school and college authorities to build UD

washrooms for present and future students and staff?

Research II - Analysis

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Questionnaires
Government has set norms for UD
washrooms for differently able people?

Physical challenge after birth

is since birth
5

no
16

yes

12
9

What are essential things in a UD washroom?

FEMALES

Was your 100

school washroom %
accessible? NO

USERS

15

Commode

Sensor taps

Grab Bars

Tac Tiles

Non Slippery Floor

Hand Shower

MALES

Are you aware of the term no 3

Universal Design? yes
18

16
YES

5NO

Washrooms possible in
INDIA?

Research II - Analysis

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Questionnaires
Government has set norms for UD
washrooms for differently able people?

Do you know a physical challenge person?

no
8

yes

17

20
5

yes no

15

What are essential things in a UD washroom?

FEMALES

Have you assisted any person

to access the washroom? 16 9
yes no

Non

Commode

Sensor taps

USERS

Grab Bars

Tac Tiles

Non Slippery Floor

Hand Shower

10

MALES

Are you aware of the term no 8

Universal Design? yes
17

19
YES

NO

Washrooms possible in
INDIA?

Research II - Analysis

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Government has set norms for UD

washrooms for differently able people?

Do you know a physical challenge person?

yes

yes no

What are essential things in a UD washroom?

FEMALES

Have you assisted any person

to access the washroom? 1 4
yes no

ARCHITECT

Commode

Sensor taps

Grab Bars

Tac Tiles

Non Slippery Floor

Hand Shower

MALES

Are you aware of the term

Universal Design? yes 5

5YES

Washrooms possible in
INDIA?

Explorations

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Explorations

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

I made 3D renders of the line drawing illustrations. These 3D renders

are much easier to know what are the types of washroom and how
are things placed.

Explorations

CREATING AWARENESS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN WASHROOMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Thank You