Unsafe exits from dementia care units present problems for residents and pose ethical dilemmas for caregivers. The purpose of this experimental research was to determine whether visual barriers reduced the exiting behavior of residents in a long-term care facility. A visual barrier was defined as one that appeared to be an obstruction, but that did not impede egress through the door. The study was conducted in a 30-bed dementia care unit and was limited to the emergency exit door where an alarm sounded each time the panic bar was touched. An “exit" was defined as a resident touching the panic bar and sounding the alarm. The sample consisted of 3 females and 6 males who attempted to exit the unit at least once during baseline condition. All residents were diagnosed with some form of dementia. The tests were conducted under three visual barriers and one baseline condition. Each condition was observed for seven days from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The schedule was as follows: Baseline Condition: No experimental manipulation was used. This observation provided a comparison for the three test conditions. Test Condition 1: Mini-blinds that covered the glazing of the door. Test Condition 2: Cloth panel that covered the panic bar of the door. Test Condition 3: Both the mini blind and the cloth panel. During baseline collection, 9 residents triggered the alarm for a total of 120 attempted exits. Test condition 1 decreased exiting to 73 attempts. During test condition 2, 5 attempted exits occurred, and 18 attempted exits occurred during test condition 3. Statistical analysis included Friedman’s Rank test for correlated samples and Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests for treatment versus control comparisons. Test conditions 2 and 3 significantly reduced attempted exits while test condition 1 was not statistically significant. In conclusion, visual barriers were a safe and effective method for deterring resident exiting for this particular nursing home. / Master of Science

Recent experiences in environmental design have suggested the importance of understanding the wants and needs of users of various settings. Designers of large-scale environments find it necessary to turn to others professionals for guidance in designing more responsive settings for daily living. Existing misfits between behavioral needs of the elderly and the community spaces in planned residential environments are explored. It was found that the designer often worked with inadequate and sometimes misleading information while confronted with tasks which demanded deeper understanding of human behavior and desires. The central issue of this thesis is focused on the questions: how can we bridge the communication gap between researchers and designers? And, how can the information, which were presented by behavioral researchers, be best translated into formats useful to designers? As an illustration, the thesis concludes with the descriptions of the guidelines for twenty-two activity areas deemed essential in the design of community spaces in elderly housing. In these guidelines, spatial relationships, environmental qualities, and furnishings and equipment for each are suggested. / M. Arch.

The purpose of the study is to set forth a framework for the research of spatio-environmental factors on the experience of time duration. A literature survey considers the nature of the experience of time as well as the research that has been carried out on different factors in the experience of time duration. The survey also considers different categories of the spatio-environmental realm and how the realm is experienced through the sensory system. Particular attention is directed in the primary hypothesis toward the possible influence of the spatio-environmental factor of complexity, especially visual complexity. Exploratory testing of complexity used 24 college students performing duration estimates with the Production method viewing scale models of different complexity of wall surface and pattern. A secondary aspect of the study is to find support for the possible application of the primary hypothesis to the field of architecture. One undesirable experience of time duration, boredom, is studied in greater detail. Literature support is found for the relationship between boredom and decreased sense input, with decreased perceived visual complexity an example of decreased sense input. The susceptibility of the elderly to decreased sense input is considered, pointing to a possible increased susceptibility of the elderly to certain types of boredom. The scale model testing was modified with a glass screen to simulate decreased visual input, and the relationship between decreased visual input and duration estimation was analyzed for support of the secondary hypothesis. Tests for both hypotheses failed to provide confirmation but offer helpful guidance for future tests. / M. Arch.

The purpose of the study was to determine how historic organizations in Virginia have responded to the issue of handicapped accessibility at their properties. The study sought to determine which historic sites are accessible to the mobility impaired, what handicapped accessible features exist in the sites' buildings and what adaptations have been made to programs and activities taking place at the sites. The study also involved exploring reasons why some historic organizations have not made their buildings and programs accessible to the disabled and determining what future plans the historic organizations have for making their sites accessible to all people. Questionnaires were sent to 228 historic sites in Virginia; 147 of the returned surveys met the research criteria. Even though most sites had at least one handicapped accessible feature, only 40 sites were reported to be accessible to everyone. Video-tours, slides and large photographs are made available to visitors who cannot participate in the entire tour at some of the historic sites. The main reasons historic organizations have not made their sites more accessible are that alterations are too expensive and structurally difficult. Forty-eight historic organizations plan to make their properties more accessible in the future. A directory, containing a table of accessible features found at the sites, general tourist information and a description of programs available at the sites for the disabled, was compiled from the findings of this study. / Master of Science

本研究的主要目的在瞭解學校人員對無障礙校園環境的認知，並探討臺北市國民中學無障礙校園設施的運用、設計與問題，同時研擬具體可行之「臺北市國民中學無障礙校園環境檢核表」，作為行政機關及學校的參考。 為達上述目的，本研究採文獻探討、問卷調查、專家座談及實地觀察訪談等四種研究方法。首先透過文獻分析，探討無障礙環境的基本理念與法令、規章的發展概況，及臺北市無障礙校園環境的執行過程；其次，以文獻探討的結果及專家座談的建議，研擬具體可行的「臺北市國民中學無障礙校園環境檢核表」及編製「臺北市國民中學無障礙校園環境調查問卷」，進行問卷調查研究，並輔以實地觀察訪談，以瞭解學校人員對無障礙環境的認知，及臺北市國民中學無障礙校園設施的運用、設計與問題。 本研究的調查對象為臺北市國民中學之校長、總務主任、特教組長、教師及家長會長（或代表），共57所學校，計發出問卷285份，總計收回53所學校260份問卷，回收率為91.2﹪，實得有效問卷260份，並以SPSS 10.0 For Windows軟體進行問卷資料之統計分析；實地觀察訪談對象，依學校規模分大、中、小型（60班以上為大校、59班至35班為中校、34班以下為小校）三組，每組再依建校歷史，以民國79年「殘障福利法」修正公布為準，分新、舊兩組，各抽取一所學校，以該校總務主任為訪談之對象，該校為實地觀察之地點，共6人。 根據文獻探討、問卷調查、專家座談及實地觀察訪談的結果，獲得以下結論： 一、臺北市國民中學認為無障礙校園環境很重要，認知狀況普遍良好，其中以特教組長對無障礙校園環境的認知狀況最好。 二、臺北市國民中學無障礙設施的使用情形尚可，維護情形良好。 三、臺北市國民中學規畫最好的無障礙設施是「坡道及扶手」、「廁所、盥洗室」、「昇降機（電梯）」，最難規劃的無障礙設施是「昇降機（電梯）」、「觀眾席（如視聽教室、禮堂、演藝廳等）」等，尚須改善的無障礙設施有「觀眾席（如視聽教室、禮堂、演藝廳等）」、「昇降機（電梯）」、「避難層出入口」。 四、臺北市國民中學無障礙設施規劃設計上比較困難的因素是原有建築或空間及經費的受限，故臺北市政府教育局應提供協助以建構完善的無障礙校園環境，其中檢核表對臺北市國民中學無障礙校園環境的推動深具價值。 根據研究發現與結論，提出建議如下： 一、臺北市國民中學的無障礙校園環境應整體性規劃，其中特教組長應積極扮演協同的角色，並為師生辦理無障礙校園環境體認等多元活動。 二、臺北市政府教育局應利用儲訓或相關研習加強學校主管的無障礙校園環境理念與實務，對經費補助的方式則應先檢核評估學校整體無障礙環境並以整體規畫、專案補助為主，其中「觀眾席」、「升降機」、「避難層出入口」等設施的新建或修繕補助應列為第一優先，並應提供無障礙校園環境相關諮詢管道與一份完善的無障礙校園環境檢核表以供協助，同時建立各校無障礙設施之基本資料與執行績效評量制度，並對總務人員任期的人事法令予以鬆綁以為配套。 三、其他建議如：各大學院校相關系所應開設無障礙校園環境的相關課程；我國建築技術規則等相關法規應儘速修正並儘速建立人體工學資料。 / The main purpose of this study was to provide an insight into the understanding of staffs in schools of the barrier-free campus environment and to investigate the implementation, design and problems related to the barrier-free campus facilities in junior high schools in Taipei City. In addition, the researcher proposed an applicable “Checklist for the Barrier-Free Campus Environment in Junior High Schools in Taipei City” for the reference of both the authorities and schools. To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the researcher adopted the methods of literature analysis, questionnaires, seminars and field surveys in this study. First of all, through analysis, the researcher explored the basic ideals, the development of rules and regulations and the process of implementation of the barrier-free campus in Taipei City. Secondly, based on the results from the literature analysis and the suggestions from experts in various seminars, the researcher proposed an applicable “Checklist for the Barrier-Free Campus Environment in Junior High Schools in Taipei City,” designed a “Questionnaire on the Barrier-Free Campus Environment in Junior High Schools in Taipei City,” conducted questionnaire surveys and field surveys to get an insight into the understanding of staffs in schools of the barrier-free campus environment and the implementation, structure and problems related to the barrier-free campus facilities. The research subjects of this study were principals, directors of general affairs, chiefs of special education, teachers, and presidents (or representatives) of parent committee in junior high schools in Taipei. The researcher sent out 285 questionnaires to 57 schools. A total of 260 questionnaires from 53 schools were retrieved. The response rate was 91.2%. SPSS 10.0 For Windows was employed to analyze the 260 effective questionnaires; the subjects of field surveys were classified into three groups according to the size of school (schools of 60 classes or more are large schools, 35-59 medium schools, and 60 schools or less small schools). In each group, 1990, the year in which the Welfare Law for the Handicapped and Disabled was revised, was set as the point of demarcation to divide these schools into two subgroups: old schools and new schools. The researcher chose one school from each subgroup and interviewed the director of general affairs from the chosen schools which were the sites for field surveys. A total of 6 people were interviewed for this study. Based on literature analysis, questionnaires, seminars and field surveys, the researchers reached the following conclusions: A. Junior high schools in Taipei City consider the barrier-free campus environment important. In general, staff at school have good understanding of the barrier-free campus environment, especially chiefs of special education. B. The way in which barrier-free facilities are used is acceptable; the maintenance of barrier-free facilities is satisfactory. C. The best planned barrier-free facilities are “ramps and handrails,” “bathrooms and lavatories” and “hoists (elevators).” The greatest difficulty in planning barrier-free facilities is in “hoists (elevators),” “audience seats (such as those in audio-visual classrooms, auditoriums and performance halls).” Barrier-free facilities which require improvements are “audience seats (such as those in audio-visual classrooms, auditoriums and performance halls),” “hoists (elevators)” and “entrances and exits to refuge floors.” D. The difficult part in structuring barrier-free facilities lies in the limitations of original architecture, space and budget. Therefore, Taipei City’s Department of Education should provide assistance to build up a complete barrier-free campus environment in junior high schools in Taipei City. The checklists are valuable to the promotion of the barrier-free campus environment in junior high schools in Taipei City. Based on these findings, the researcher proposed the following suggestions: A. The barrier-free campus environment in junior high schools in Taipei City should be planned as a whole. Chiefs of special education should play roles of active coordinators, and hold various activities to help teachers and students understand the barrier-free campus environment. B. Taipei City’s Department of Education should make use of various training programs and seminars to enhance the understanding and performances of directors at school. The whole barrier-free campus environment in each school should be evaluated before issuing subsidy. Subsidy should be planned as a whole and issued on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, the installment and repair of “audience seats,” “hoists” and “entrances and exits to refuge floors” should make the top priority on the list of special funds. A complete checklist for the barrier-free campus environment should be provided as support. At the same time, basic data of all the junior high schools in Taipei City and the performance evaluation system in each school should be established. Lastly, terms of staff in general affairs should be more flexible as a supplementary measure. C. Other Suggestions: related departments in every college should provide courses about the barrier-free campus environment; building Code and Regulations in Taiwan should be revised as soon as possible; Ergonomics data should be updated and established as soon as possible.

Yip Kin Sun. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 1999-2000, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Chapter 1.0 --- Statement / Chapter 1.1 --- Personal Statement --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Mission Statement --- p.3 / Chapter 2.0 --- Methodology --- p.3 / Chapter 3.0 --- Existing State / Chapter 3.1 --- Mental hitstory of Hong Kong 1841-2000+ --- p.4-6 / Chapter 3.2 --- Trace of rehabilitation in community-base --- p.7 / Chapter 3.3 --- Deinstitutionalization --- p.8 / Chapter 4.0 --- Solid-base in community: / Chapter 4.0 --- Hin Keng House --- p.9-10 / Tuen Mun Long Stay Care Home --- p.11-12 / Jockey Club Farm House --- p.13 / New Life Farm --- p.14 / Kwun Tong Amity Centre --- p.15-16 / "Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Kwai Chung Hospital" --- p.17-18 / Chapter 5.0 --- Define the problems & arguments --- p.19 / Chapter 6.0 --- End Users' life routine --- p.20 / Chapter 7.0 --- Subject body Attributes --- p.21-23 / Chapter 7.1 --- Definition of subject body / Chapter 7.2 --- Subject users / Chapter 7.3 --- Subject location / Chapter 7.4 --- Subject size / Chapter 7.5 --- Subject appearance / Chapter 7.6 --- "Subject impact to ""community""" / Chapter 8.0 --- Site Selection Criteria --- p.24 / Chapter 8.1 --- Possible bases： / "Tai Wai, Chik Fai Street" / Lung Hang Estate unused area within the estate / Pok Hong Estate an unused area east of Shan Ha Wai (Tsang Tai UK) --- p.25-27 / Chapter 9.0 --- "Site analysis (Tai Wai, Chik Fai Street)" --- p.28 / Chapter 10.0 --- Programs / Chapter 10.1 --- Subject body --- p.28 / Chapter 10.2 --- Design consideration --- p.29-34 / Chapter 10.3 --- Schedule of Accommodation --- p.35-36 / Chapter 11.0 --- Design Approach / Chapter 11.1 --- Design Concept --- p.37 / Chapter 11.11 --- Design Concept of Mid-way home --- p.38-39 / Chapter 11.12 --- Design Concept of Activity Center --- p.39-40 / Chapter 12.0 --- Compliance with Building Planning Regulation --- p.40-44 / Chapter 13.0 --- Building Services --- p.44 / Chapter 14.0 --- Review comments and self-epilogue --- p.45 / Chapter Appendix --- Workshop questionnaire / Bibliography

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

The thesis deals with the issue of protection of Prague's main train station as a soft target and it's regular operation, mainly by using evacuation model with emphasis on barrier-free issues. Mapping of the building was conducted by using Decree No. 398/2009 Coll. general technical requirements ensuring the barrier-free usage of buildings and their parts. Adapting the environment to people with reduced mobility is not always axiomatic, especially in terms of evacuation. For the movement of these persons it is necessary to take into account their needs and possibilities in normal traffic and during evacuation. The sociological and psychological aspects of crowd and individuals have also significant impact on evacuation. For identifying critical points of the main train station, it has been used knowledge of local research, knowledge of barrier-free buildings, sociology and psychology, and special simulation tools for modeling the movement of people. It has been found that space can be optimized by detailed analysis of simulation outputs to meet all expected requirements without negative impact on barrier-free domain. Thanks to this, it was possible to achieve a new design, which accomplishes higher safety of people with movement and orientation disabilities, especially during emergency situations in building of main train station Prague.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries