15.Jan.2024
Hibatullah Stetieh Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to examine accessibility in the built environment and tries to determine the physical and attitudinal barriers affecting Persons with Visual Disabilities’ (PWVDs) experience on the University of Jordan (UJ) campus. Design/methodology/approach – This is a descriptive mixed-methods study, based on the following: data collection regarding PWVDs’ services at UJ; semi-structured interviews with PWVDs and with some employees at UJ; observations, photographs and direct measurements during campus tours; accompanying one student with poor eyesight when navigating through UJ campus; then, analyzing data in light of the national code’s accessibility checklist. Findings – UJ campus suffers from many shortcomings regarding accessibility; these include an insufficient pedestrian environment, limited tactile paths, low illuminance levels in lecture halls and other inadequate services. Besides, there are many infringements on PWVDs’ paths, due to either new expansions or unconscious behavior. Moreover, interpersonal barriers prevent PWVDs from using assistive equipment and accommodation. The study concludes that preserving pedestrians’ rights, monitoring new expansions, renovating the UJ campus in accordance with national codes and international standards, improving PWVDs services and awareness-raising programs are needed to ensure accessibility for PWVDs. Originality/value – New legislation has been recently passed regarding accessibility in Jordan, and – on the UJ campus – the first phase of tactile paving has been installed. This paper is believed to be the first of its kind to evaluate PWVDs’ services following the new changes. The study’s methodology might also be deemed useful to stakeholders when enabling the built environment.Keywords Accessibility, Built environment, Disability, Higher education, Tactile paving
Hibatullah Stetieh
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to examine accessibility in the built environment and tries to determine the physical and attitudinal barriers affecting Persons with Visual Disabilities’ (PWVDs) experience on the University of Jordan (UJ) campus. Design/methodology/approach – This is a descriptive mixed-methods study, based on the following: data collection regarding PWVDs’ services at UJ; semi-structured interviews with PWVDs and with some employees at UJ; observations, photographs and direct measurements during campus tours; accompanying one student with poor eyesight when navigating through UJ campus; then, analyzing data in light of the national code’s accessibility checklist. Findings – UJ campus suffers from many shortcomings regarding accessibility; these include an insufficient pedestrian environment, limited tactile paths, low illuminance levels in lecture halls and other inadequate services. Besides, there are many infringements on PWVDs’ paths, due to either new expansions or unconscious behavior. Moreover, interpersonal barriers prevent PWVDs from using assistive equipment and accommodation. The study concludes that preserving pedestrians’ rights, monitoring new expansions, renovating the UJ campus in accordance with national codes and international standards, improving PWVDs services and awareness-raising programs are needed to ensure accessibility for PWVDs. Originality/value – New legislation has been recently passed regarding accessibility in Jordan, and – on the UJ campus – the first phase of tactile paving has been installed. This paper is believed to be the first of its kind to evaluate PWVDs’ services following the new changes. The study’s methodology might also be deemed useful to stakeholders when enabling the built environment.Keywords Accessibility, Built environment, Disability, Higher education, Tactile paving
29.Feb.2024
28.Feb.2024
أنا طالبة في الهندسة الصناعية, اختياري لهذا التخصص كان بناءً على أهميته الكبيرة كمهنة في الحاضر والمستقبل ... رغد بركات
الهندسة الصناعية تساعدك على اتخاذ قرارات أفضل، وتعطي أشكالا أخرى من مبادئ الهندسة بشكل عملي وعلمي في آن. ... محمود صلاح
قسم الهندسة الكيميائية قسم جميل جدا تعلمت فيه الكثير ومما تعلمته فيه جدية العمل وروح الفريق الواحد .. ... رغد الشويكي