Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-30).

This dissertation documents the research involved in determining an appropriate response for the design of a building which serves to provide tools for empowerment and independence for blind and partially sighted people. Primary and secondary data collection methods are used. Secondary data collection forms the majority of information gathered focusing on precedent and case studies. The studies investigate how buildings are currently occupied, discussing the differences between buildings that have been specifically designed for the visually impaired and those that have not. Analysis observes the problems that exist and what solutions have been proposed to overcome these. Design criteria can focus on detail design exclusively; however the building in its entirety can be custom-designed to meet the needs of the visually impaired user. This dissertation explores architecture as a sensory experience, highlighting findings that can be used when designing buildings specifically for visually impaired users. The visually impaired rely heavily on their senses enabling them to interpret their surroundings. This research includes an exploration into the use of the senses within the built environment and how we as sighted designers can understand, interpret and contribute to a visually impaired person's experience of the built environment. The research concludes on an appropriate response to designing for visually impaired people. Conclusions are drawn and a design brief for a facility for a Society for the Blind derived. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-30) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-72). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-72). Also available on the Internet.

The goal of this creative project was to design an The objectives of the study were to determine:(1) how other professions become sensitive to the needs of the handicapped (2) the state-of-the-art in landscape architecture profession as related to design for the handicapped (3) the degree to which issues concerning the needs of the handicapped are architecture curriculums.The literature review section of this project focused on the social and emotional needs of the handicapped along with the physical design criteria used by the landscape architect. The literature review section also identified the different teaching strategies that are most effective in sensitizing landscape architecture students to needs of the handicapped. / Department of Landscape Architecture

The purpose of the study was to measure and analyze the accessibility of facilities housing programs in Architecture in the North-East and East-Central Regions of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.The philosophical basis for the study was a theory in Architecture that the environment can teach. Extending the theory to the topic of the study, students of Architecture needed to learn in buildings accessible to the disabled in order to have the best chance of designing accessible buildings in professional practice.The thirty-three sites included in the study were visited between August and November of 1980, after the buildings were required by law to be accessible. The Revised Accessibility Checklist recommended by the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects was used to gather the data The Accessibility Checklist was based directly on the requirements of Specification 117.1 of the American National Standards Institute. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 required all facilities to meet the standards established in ANSI Specification 117.1. Data were also gathered regarding design characteristics, including age, style of design, original use, extent of renovation, and context of location, to determine whether accessibility was influenced by specific design factors. Criteria were established in the dissertation to determine whether a building was excellent, good, average, below average, or poor in accessibility to disabled persons.Of the facilities surveyed, three were excellent, three good, three average, twelve below average, and eleven poor in terms of accessibility to disabled persons. Overall, the buildings rated below average. Twenty-three of the thirty-three buildings surveyed, seventy percent, did not comply with Federal accessibility law. Thirty-six percent of the buildings did not have an accessible primary entrance; fifty-two percent of the rest rooms were not accessible; and thirty-two percent of the buildings did not have elevators.Major conclusions regarding design characteristics were: 1) The design characteristic with the greatest influence on accessibility was extent of renovation. 2) Modern buildings rated better than revival structures. 3) Buildings completed since 1960 received higher accessibility classifications than buildings completed earlier. 4) Buildings located in a campus setting received higher classifications than urban structures.Recommendations for specific renovations to the thirty-three facilities surveyed were made for improving accessibility. The study also recommended the American Institute of Architects, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, and member schools should establish a policy of making teaching facilities accessible to the disabled.

This thesis examines the means by which emergency egress for people with a disability can be provided and presents a model for the adoption of egress provisions for persons with a disability into the Building Code of Australia. / With the introduction of the commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 in March 1993, it became unlawful for a person to be discriminated against based on their disability. In the built environment this meant that all building and facilities are required to be accessible. However, this also includes the right for building occupants to also be safe and not be exposed to any form of adverse conditions such as fire, in a building. / The research undertaken to formulate this model traces the origins of disability rights both internationally and in Australia as well as Australian building code requirements. The technical provisions considered for inclusion in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) have been derived from an international survey of the research that has been undertaken and the various approaches taken by the building codes of other countries. In addition, to consider the appropriateness of the suggested model, a survey was carried out to gauge community expectations. The findings of this survey were then built into the model. / The conclusions show that people are willing to use whatever means of egress is provided if they have the confidence that the exit system will be safe during an emergency. / The research concludes that the technology exists to enable emergency egress for persons with a disability to be provided and that it is possible for the BCA to include specific provisions. / However, it also recognised that for it to succeed, a fully integrated approach addressing human behavioural and management aspects as well as the physical attributes of a building would be required. The present BCA does not take a wholistic view in this regard as it only addresses the physical construction of a building and hence its scope would need to be expanded. / To achieve this overall 'package', it is necessary for a major education campaign by which the community is educated about the use of the egress systems for persons with a disability using both 'protect-in-place' and 'everybody-out' strategies. This is especially the case for the use of lifts as the community has been educated for many years that it is not safe to use lifts in a fire. This requires a shift in the way people think about the use of lifts in a fire and is by far the most challenging component. / Thesis (MBuilding)--University of South Australia, 2003.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2006. / Title from title screen (viewed 30 May 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Architecture, Design Science and Planning, Faculty of Architecture. Degree awarded 2006; thesis submitted 2005. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

This study develops a checklist of accessibility housing design features to aid the wheelchair user in evaluating apartments. It also evaluates relationships between accessibility and price, size, location, age, and subsidy of 25 apartments in Tucson, Arizona. Apartments were rated based on their adoption of the standards as set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the City of Tucson. Category A is those features specified by both agencies, Category B is those specified by ANSI only and Category C is those not specified. Category D is features not rated. A Total Rating Score is also given. A score of 80 was considered a minimum acceptable rating. Twenty percent of the apartments tested were found to be in compliance with the requirements of Category A, those features required by statute. Sixteen percent were in compliance with Category B and only four percent were in compliance with the other two categories. No significant relationships were found between accessibility and the five housing factors.