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For the quality of life of people with a disability, one's own four walls, the workplace or the maximum possible mobility without structural barriers, are of deciding importance. Since 2004 the Disability equality law governs and obligates property developers to take the needs of disabled people into consideration. Despiteof this, there are still many reasons for complaints when it comes to disabled access building.

Structural barriers are often the cause of great difficulty for people with a disability. Whether it's a result of thoughtlessness, lack of awareness or plain ignorance, disabled people are even nowadays confronted time and again with insurmountable obstacles in buildings and on the streets. Disabled people and people with limited mobility are often challenged on streets, paths, stairways, offices or in apartments with structural or design flaws, which limit them even further in their mobility. Among those responsible for the planning and implementation of construction, only a small number are conscious of disabled access. The instructions and norms are simply not well enough known.

Disabled equality law governs minimum standards

There are numerous parties involved in a building process such as planners, architects, property owner etc. They all must be informed about the situation and the interests of disabled people must be considered in their plans and concepts. The emphasis here is on "must" because since 2004 (in Switzerland) the Disabled equality law (BehiG) also governs the minimum standards for disabled access building in buildings with public transport, buildings with work places or apartment blocks. These minimum standards apply for everywhere in Switzerland and they complement the cantonal building regulations. With this new law (BehiG) a complaints and damages  right was also simultaneously introduced. This is a very important point, which allows those concerned the right to place their complaints against property developers and authorities.

Cost free advice from specialists

For advice and encouragement of disabled access building, the regional special advice centre is available to answer questions, which should be a form of support and information for the various parties. These advice centres are assisted by disabled organisations like Procap and Pro Infirmis whose experts control building plans with respect to disabled friendliness and are available to offer advice and tips when problems arise. The Swiss centre for disabled access building is responsible for coordination. This advice is cost free. It is important however that the experts are consulted as early as possible regarding the planning of new buildings or renovations. They have founded knowledge from the analysis to the planning to the implementation of projects in the area of disabled access building.

Building for everyone

Those who plan on building should always keep an eye on the fact that its not building for disabled people that's the focal point, the focus should rather be on the so called "building for every one" principle. Especially in residential buildings, the proprietors can profit when they make allowances for disabled and elderly people during the planning of new buildings or by complete renovations. When the building is suitable for disabled and elderly people there is a much higher chance that there will be less turnover of tenants and therefore smaller administration costs. "Building for every one" means that no special solutions are called for, but rather that universal standards are applied, which means that all buildings are accessible for all people - if not from the beginning on, then at least through minimal structural measures.

Supervised apartments as an alternative

Even structural adaptations do not necessarily mean an independent life in ones own four walls, as very often a certain degree of assistance is necessary. There are various types of accommodation forms as well as different levels of assistance available to disabled people. Here the main objective is to allow those concerned to live their lives as independently as possible.

Author: Patrick Gunti, Sep. 2007