%% apa:: Nugent, T. J. (1961). _Design of Buildings to Permit their Use by the Physically Handicapped_ (NAS-NRC-910). National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. %% # Design of Buildings to Permit their Use by the Physically Handicapped --- Nugent, T. J. (1961). _Design of Buildings to Permit their Use by the Physically Handicapped_ (NAS-NRC-910). National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. --- ## Metadata Title:: Design of Buildings to Permit their Use by the Physically Handicapped author:: [[Timothy Nugent|Timothy J. Nugent]] cite-key:: nugent1961DesignBuildingsPermit date:: 1961 keywords:: [[Accessibility]], [[Built environment]] ## Abstract Changes to existing structures and specific design features for new structures are discussed as a means of making buildings usable by the physically handicapped. The author stresses the need for consideration of approaches, entrances and exits, and equipment and facilities which will allow the disabled to enter, leave and work within all types of public buildings. Experiments with wheelchair patients to set up criteria for ramps, floor covering, floor finishing, door mechanisms and hardware, water coolers, bathroom facilities, and desks are reported. A detailed work outline for American Standards Association Project A-117, co-sponsored by the President's Committee on the Employment of the Physically Handicapped and the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults, is included as an appendix. (RH) --- ## Notes - \[Pg. 51] The challenge for accessibility lies not with the individual, but with the design of the environment, and with the designers of the space. > "One of the most frustrating problems of physically disabled individuals are buildings and facilities, supposedly created for the public, that are designed and constructed in such a manner that they prohibit the full participation of the physically disabled." - \[Pg. 51–52] Nugent suggests a number of factors have lead to an increase of individuals living with accessibility needs, including health factors, and both the expanding popularity of the car and increased leisure time leading to traumatic paraplegia. > "…advancements in medical science now make it possible to save many lives, decrease the mortality rate at birth, and increase longevity, all of which greatly increases the numbers of individuals with permanent physical disabilities." > > "Also contributing are the advancing machine age, the continued expansion of industry, and the rapidly increasing number of motor vehicles both in total numbers and percentage of ownership." > > "Increases in leisure time have also contributed to the incidence of such disabilities as traumatic paraplegia. Swimming, boating, or water activities, as one example, create thousands of such disabilities each year." - \[Pg. 52] Nugent looks at the costs of public assistance vs rehabilitation costs. He also cites the human resources economic opportunities by creating employment for individuals with accessible requirements. >"…tremendous economic significance associated with this problem." - \[Pg. 52] Physical barriers create emotional and cognitive barriers, reducing access fr individuals. > "Many of the disabled are afraid to venture forth because of the architectural barriers they encounter. Others have convinced themselves it is better to stay back because they feel they are a burden to others when they attempt to project themselves into normal social settings. In many instances they are a burden, but it is not their fault. Rather, the apathy which has existed concerning this problem is to blame." - \[Pg. 53] The presence of architectural barriers make rehabilitation harder to achieve and can lead to a reverse of social and economic gains. The built environment becomes the "villain" > "However, \[professionals in the field of rehabilitation] are finding it very difficult to project clients into normal situations of education, recreating, and employment because of architectural barriers. Therefore, the problems inherent in the design of buildings and facilities quickly take on the role of "villain" and might event tend to reverse some of the social and economic gains now evident in constructive rehabilitation."" - \[Pg. 53] Nugent identifies his audience as creators of the built environment and policy. > "the architects, engineers, designers, builders, manufacturers, and in all probability, the legislators, with encouragement and guidance from those professionally engaged in rehabilitation." - \[Pg. 53] Nugent has two goals: 1) plan how to retrofit existing buildings, and 2) create guidelines for new construction projects. > "…it is our intent to develop standards and specifications for all buildings and facilities used by the public, so that they will be accessible and functional for the physically handicapped. > "In setting out upon this mission, we must quickly recognize that the majority of buildings which we will be using withing the next decade or two are already built. Therefore, our first problem is to determine what might be done to make accessible and functional existing buildings which are now inaccessible. Our second task, and the one I feel is the simpler of the two, is the development of improved standards for design and construction of new buildings and facilities." - \[Pg. 53] Nugent defines disability through the lens of motor, vision, and hearing impairment, and recognizes that each has specific requirements that could be covered by common design solutions. > We are concerned with: > 1) The nonambulatory disabled, those individuals who, for all practical purposes, are bound to wheelchairs regardless of cause or manifestation. > 2) The semi-ambulatory, those individuals who walk with difficulty or insecurity, such as those individuals using braces and/or crutches, amputees, arthritics, spastics, pulmonary and cardiac cases. > 3) The sight handicapped, those individuals who are totally blind and those whose sight is impaired to the extent that ambulation in public areas is insecure and hazardous. > 4) The incoordinates, those individuals whose disabilities leave them with faulty coordination or palsy from cerebral injury, spinal injury, or peripheral nerve injury. > 5) The hearing handicapped, those individuals who are deaf or have a hearing handicap to the extent that they might be insecure in major public areas or in industrial situations, because they are unable to communicate or to hear warning signals. > > "…each having specific requirements which, however, may have many common solutions. - \[Pg. 59] > "The severely, permanently, physically disabled can be accommodated and facilities used by the public: > 1) Independently and without distinction. > 2) Without loss of space or function to the general public. > 3) Without extra cost. - \[Pg. 59] > "All standards which will be recommended to benefit the permanently physically handicapped will be of benefit to everyone."