Designing Doorways For Wheelchair Users

Most people are not aware that not all doorways are suitable for wheelchair users. There are certain special requirements if you want to design a really good doorways for wheelchair users. I hope this post helps you understand some of the important requirements.

The key points to remember are:
1, There should be sufficient space for wheelchair users to maneuver at both the "push" and "pull" sides of the doors. (See drawing below for what is meant.)
2, Handles, pulls and other opening devices must be suitable for persons with reduced strength and dexterity to control.
3, Lever type handles and push lock mechanisms are preferred.
4, Glass doors must have bright and colored motifs at eye level.

Please note the difference between the "Push Side" and "Pull Side" of doorway.

The drawing above illustrates the importance of having clear space in front of a door. The clear space (marked as yellow box in the left drawing) must be placed at the correct position. The wheelchair user at the right drawing has problem reaching the door handle due to lack of clear space.

Layout of door handle, door bell ..etc should follow the above drawing.

Level type handle is preferred.

Persons who have limited fingers movements will have problem with this type of door knob. 

Budget 2015, Employment & Wheelchair Users

The trend in Malaysia is that the working disabled persons get more welfare allowance than the non-working ones. I think that is unfair to many non-working wheelchair users. Here is why.

The Penang Struggles: Signature Campaign For Persons With Disabilities Act

(I have been requested to document the struggles of the disabled persons of Penang. I will be making a series of videos on this topic. I shall call these videos "The Penang Struggles". Here is one of the videos.)

More than 10 years ago, the PWD ngos of Penang organised this very successful signature campaign. It was one of the milestones of SILA (Sustainable Independent Living & Access), a forum for PWD ngos of Penang.

From China Press

China Press did a follow up story of my post. I must thank them. That will create more awareness.

"Dear Car Owner"

To my Malaysian readers, please share this in your Facebook if you agree with this video. I hope to reach the owner of this car via social media. I did the video in Chinese because I think the car owner is a Chinese. What I said in the video was translated in the text below. Thank you.

“Dear Car Owner, greetings. I saw your car parked at the disabled persons’ car park yesterday and made this video today to communicate to you. I covered up your number plate because I did not want people to know who you are. But I am sure you will recognize your own car. I will place this video in Facebook and hope you will help the disabled when you see this message. Yesterday there were too many cars and not enough car parks. I believe your original intention was not to part at disabled persons’ car park, but due to lack of car park you felt that “never mind lah, only once in a long time, may be no disabled person will come". I hope you will help us by not parking at our car parks next time. You can also help us by telling your friends to respect disabled persons’ car parks. Thank you.”

CRC Restaurant

Good food, but not accessible. Why? When will MPPP enforce the law to make building like this accessible to the disabled and the elderly many of whom are using wheelchairs.