Accessibility of space and facilities for people with disabilities. Selected issues

The current legal regulations in force in the European Union show the need to adapt spaces and facilities for people with disabilities. Design guidelines related to the elimination of mainly architectural barriers are determined mainly according to the principles of Universal Design. Students of the Silesian University of Technology learn during the classes at the Faculty of Architecture, using qualitative research, to adapt existing spaces and buildings for people with disabilities. The article presents selected issues from a wide spectrum of research and analyzes. Purpose of the research: The aim of the content presented in this article is to present exemplary student proposals for rational improvement of space and facilities according to the principles of universal design. Spaces and buildings of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland were studied. What are the architectural barriers and what measures should be taken to remove these barriers. The variety of disabilities among users and the variety of functions of the facilities were taken into account. The research used research methods consisting in an inventory of objects and their immediate surroundings, analysis in terms of adaptation to different needs of users and research on possible remedial measures. The analysis of the results was used to develop the accessibility rules for these buildings and their surroundings, and to develop the elements and technologies that should be introduced into the facilities. Conclusions: Depending on the period in which the objects were created, as well as the functions they offer, the adaptation for people with disabilities varies in terms of scope and technology. Most of the obstacles in the use of these objects that occur are repetitive, mainly related to overcoming differences in levels, movement and orientation in space. The need to adapt space for people with various disabilities should generate a unified approach to designing space for all people, ensuring comfort for users, regardless of their mobility and motor abilities.