WHAT IS DISABLED MEAN IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE??
Introduction
The Malaysian Social Welfare Department uses the following definitions:
- Disabled person as anyone who is incapable of obtaining for himself all or part of the normal needs of an individual and / or cannot participate fully in the life of the community due to abnormality since birth or in later life.
(Source: Town And Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia, 2002)
The World Health Organization (WHO) uses the following definitions:
1) Impairment
Any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function. An impairment can be temporary or permanents. This includes the existence or occurrence of an anomaly, defect or loss in a limb, organ, tissue or other structure of the body, including the systems of mental function.
2) Disability
2) Disability
Any restriction or lack (resulting from impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for human being. A disability may be temporary or permanent, reversible or irreversible and progressive or regressive.
3) Handicap
A disadvantage for an individual, resulting from an impairment or disability, the limits or prevents the fulfillment of a role that is normal (depending on age, sex and social and cultural factors) for that individual.
(Source: Holmes - Siedle. J,, 1996)
For the purpose of this study, it has been necessary to define particular handicaps, impairments and restrictive devices so that they may be related to individual design elements. The terminology used below, with the exception of “temporary impairments”, is generally accepted and used in literature dealing with the handicapped.
1) Wheelchair
A wheel chair is a chair on wheels normally propelled by the occupant by means of handrims attached to the two side wheels. Wheelchairs may also be motorized or propelled by an attendant (Refer to Figure 1).
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Figure 1 : Wheelchair
Figure 1 : Wheelchair
2) Crutch
A crutch is a staff with crosspieces at the top to support the person in walking. The point of support may be under the shoulder, upper arm or forearm. For each crutch, a person support is provided at hand level (Refer to Figure 2 ).
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Figure 2 : Persons Who Using A Crutches
Figure 2 : Persons Who Using A Crutches
3) Cane
A cane or walking stick is a short staff either straight or curved at the upper end, used to provide some support at hand level in walking (Refer to Figure 3).
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Figure 3 : Person Who Using A Cane
Figure 3 : Person Who Using A Cane
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4) Walker
A walker is a four-legged stand which provided support for the user. It is moved by lifting or by wheeling on casters.
5) Brace
A brace is defined as any kind of supportive device for the arms, hands, legs, feet, back, neck or head, exclusive of temporary casts, slings, bandages, trusses, belts or crutches (Refer to Figure 4).
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Figure 4 : Persons Who Using A Brace
Figure 4 : Persons Who Using A Brace
(Source:Robinette.G.O., 1985)
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6) Artificial Limb
6) Artificial Limb
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An artificial limb is device to replace a missing leg, hand or foot. It does not necessarily have moving parts. A device employed only for lengthening a leg where the whole leg or foot is present is not included in this definition.
7) Special Shoes
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Footwear specifically designed as pediatric aids to be used in assisting people in walking.
(Source : Robinette.G.O., 1985)
Footwear specifically designed as pediatric aids to be used in assisting people in walking.
(Source : Robinette.G.O., 1985)
8) Ramps
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Ramps are an essential method for assisting wheeled traffic to cope with changes in level that are traditionally overcome by using steps. Wheeled traffic can include wheelchairs, parents with prams, trolleys and other vehicles. Ramps are not replacement for stairs and steps, but are needed as and additional method for dealing with change in level (Refer to Figure 5).
Ramps are an essential method for assisting wheeled traffic to cope with changes in level that are traditionally overcome by using steps. Wheeled traffic can include wheelchairs, parents with prams, trolleys and other vehicles. Ramps are not replacement for stairs and steps, but are needed as and additional method for dealing with change in level (Refer to Figure 5).
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Figure 5 : Ramps
Figure 5 : Ramps
9) Pathways
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The ideal pathway is well illuminated, even, firm and well drained, presenting a non-slip surface in both wet and dry conditions. Sudden or irregular changes in gradient and gaps more than 10mm wide in the surface of the path should be avoided (Refer to Figure 6 ).
The ideal pathway is well illuminated, even, firm and well drained, presenting a non-slip surface in both wet and dry conditions. Sudden or irregular changes in gradient and gaps more than 10mm wide in the surface of the path should be avoided (Refer to Figure 6 ).
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Figure 6 : Pathways
Figure 6 : Pathways
(Source: Holmes - Siedle. J,, (1996)
Basic Guideline For Consideration in Physical Planning And Design.
1. Accessibility - The built environment shall be designed so that it is accessibility for all people, including those with disabilities and elderly persons.
2. Access or Accessible - This means that people with disabilities can, without assistance, approach, enter, pass to and from and make use of an area and its facilities without undue difficulties. Constant reference to these basic requirements during the planning and design process of built environment will help to ensure that the possibilities of creating an accessible environment will be maximized.
3. Reachability - Provisions shall be adopted and introduced into the built environment so that as many places and buildings as possible can be reached by all people, including those with disabilities and elderly persons.
4. Usability - The built environment shall be designed so that all people, including those with disabilities and elderly persons can be use and enjoy it.
5. Safe – The built environment shall be so designed that all people, including those with disabilities and elderly persons, can move about without undue hazard to life and health.
6. Workability - The built environment where people work shall be designed to allow people, including those with disabilities, fully to participate in and contribute to the work force.
7. Barrier-free or non-handicapping - This means unhindered, without obstructions, to enable disabled persons free passage to and from and use of he facilities in the built environment.
(Source : O’Morrow, G.S, (1976), Therapeutic Recreation – A Helping Proffesion.)
Categories of the Disabled
The Welfare Department has categorized the handicapped into four categories:
i) Physically handicapped (polio, half-paralysed, cripple and spastic),
ii) Hearing-impairment (deaf and dumb),
iii) Sight-impaired (blind and partially blind) and
iv) Mentally retarded (Down’s syndrome, autistic and others).
Based on these categories, this study divides the disabled into two groups, i.e. permanent disabled and temporarily disabled. Both of these groups encompass the following categories:
i) Physically handicapped such as deaf, blind, no hands/legs;
ii) Mentally retarded or insane;
iii) Special children (Down’s syndrome, autistic and others);
iv) The elderly with limited physical capability;
v) Wheelchair users;
vi) Pregnant women; and
vii) Children and persons of stunted growth.
(Source: Town And Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia, 2002)
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