ABOUT LIL

• Introduction • Independent Living Philosophy • Tips for Literacy Practitioners • Tips for Disability Organizations • How to Make Your Literacy Program Wheelchair Accessible • Tips for Communicating with People who are Hard of Hearing • Tips for Communicating with People with a Visual Impairment • Profiles of Learners • Narrowing the Gaps • Acknowledgements

How To Make Your Literacy Program Wheelchair Accessible

By Mary Jane Clinkard, CAILC 2005

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Is your location wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair accessible means many different things to different people and can make a difference between being able to participate in a literacy program and being left out. There are some basic standards for accessibility and these are just a few guidelines.

Entrance to building

• curb cuts must be graduated
• must be a ramp or walkway no steeper than 1:15 (1 cm for every 15 cm in graduated height)
• international symbol of access must appear near the entrance of the building

Ramp

• surface of the ramp must be firm, level and slip-resistant to enable someone using a mobility device to get in the building safely
• If the ramp has handrails, the rails must be 91 cm apart, so that it is wide enough to accommodate different sizes of wheelchairs, scooters and walkers.
• There must also be a landing at the top and bottom of the ramp of 150 cm X 150 cm
• The threshold of the accessible entrance should be 0.13 cm or less

Doors to building

• The width of the door should be a minimum of 81 cm
• if there is a push button automatic door, it should be in a location which is within easy reach for a person using a wheelchair, scooter or walker

Interior of building

• The corridors should be free of obstacles and level changes and should be a minimum of 106 cm wide
• If the building is multi-storey it must have either a CSA approved elevator or similar lifting device with a width of 91 cm. The control panel inside the elevator should be easily accessible from a seated position.

Is There Accessible Parking Nearby?

The availability of accessible parking, like basic building accessibility, can make a difference as to whether or not a person with a physical disability is able to participate in a literacy program.

• Adequate accessible parking spaces available in relation to the size of the building.
• These parking spaces have to be located near the accessible entrance to the building and clearly marked by a vertical sign and markings on the pavement
• The parking spaces must be at least 240 cm wide allowing enough space for a person in a wheelchair to get out of their vehicle by using a ramp or lift.
• The accessible spaces should have an access aisle between them leading to the accessible entrance of the building and should be kept clear of snow and ice during the winter months.

Is It Accessible by Adapted Transit?

The existence of adapted transit which people with disabilities can use to get to literacy programs is just as important as accessible parking and basic building accessibility. Different cities have different forms of accessible transit available for people with disabilities. It would be a good idea to find out what is available in your city since adapted transit varies from city to city.

• Many cities have a fleet of accessible buses which provide door-to-door service and it is possible that this service may need to be booked in advance.
• Accessible taxis may also be available in some cities but often need to be pre-arranged
• Some cities have regular buses which are accessible and they do not need to be booked in advance

Is There a Wheelchair Accessible Washroom?

In order for a building to be considered wheelchair accessible, it must have accessible washroom facilities. One stall must be accessible in public washrooms.

• It must have a floor area of 150 cm X 150 cm
• Stall door must have an opening width of 81 cm
• The stall door opening and locking mechanism should not require pinching or twisting motions to operate
• There should also be a graspable handle on the inside face of the door.
• Grab bars should be mounted on the wall beside the toilet and positioned in such a way so that a person using a wheelchair can use them to transfer onto the toilet safely
• Sink should be mounted with a maximum dimension of 86.5 cm from the floor to the rim of the sink and there should be a clearance of a minimum of 66 cm under the sink so a wheelchair can fit underneath

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