Article

PURPOSE: To determine the extent to which curb ramps in an urban area met a set
of wheelchair accessibility guidelines. METHOD: For each of 79 intersections in
an urban area, we collected data about eight accessibility characteristics, based
on existing guidelines. A total score (0-8) was calculated for each intersection,
based on the number of criteria met. RESULTS: Of the 79 intersections assessed,
98.7% had curb ramps. Of the curb ramps, 53.8% provided direct lines of travel
from the sidewalks to the crosswalks, 93.6% were >or=915 mm in width, 43.6% had
ramp slopes <or=4.8 degrees (1:12), 57.7% had gutter counter-slopes of <or=2.9
degrees (1:20), 26.9% had smooth transitions (<or=13 mm) from the curb ramps to
the gutters, 85.9% were free from irregularities and 100% were free from drainage
grates. The mean (+/-SD) total score was 5.6 (+/-1.1). Only 2.6% of the
intersections met all eight criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Although curb ramps were
usually present at intersections, only a small proportion of them met all of the
accessibility criteria evaluated. This finding has implications for those
responsible for installing and maintaining curb ramps and suggests that
wheelchair users and their caregivers should learn the wheelchair skills needed
to overcome such accessibility barriers.

Langue : ANGLAIS