Making Infrastructure Accessible and Principles of Universal Design Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo Karen Peffley Disability & Development, HDNSP MENA: Including Persons with Disabilities in Development: Opportunities & Accessibility June 17, 2009

Changing international landscape Changing international landscape  UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Convening power Convening power  Response to Financial crisis as an opportunity Information available and cost effective Information available and cost effective Liabilities for not building accessibly Liabilities for not building accessibly Why the WB should address accessibility

Since June 2005, USAID enforces a policy directive on accessible construction and reconstruction Since June 2005, USAID enforces a policy directive on accessible construction and reconstruction IFC performance standards require considering the needs of vulnerable people, including individuals with disabilities IFC performance standards require considering the needs of vulnerable people, including individuals with disabilities Bi-lateral donors (GTZ, DFID, AusAID) have introduced policies to include disability in their programs Bi-lateral donors (GTZ, DFID, AusAID) have introduced policies to include disability in their programs EU Directive for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation (2000) EU Directive for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation (2000) IBRD/IDA Lag Behind USAID and IFC on Promoting Accessibility

In a general sense, accessibility is a feature which allows an environment, object or instrument to be used safely and independently. For technical use, it is a stringent set of standards that have been mandated nationally or internationally for the construction of the built environment for the use by persons with disabilities. Accessibility

The objective of accessible infrastructure is part of creating an enabling environment. The objective of accessible infrastructure is part of creating an enabling environment. An enabling environment is one in which ALL can participate, including people with disabilities. An enabling environment is one in which ALL can participate, including people with disabilities. The components are: The components are: PhysicalPhysical Social/attitudinalSocial/attitudinal EconomicEconomic InstitutionalInstitutional TechnologicalTechnological Enabling Environment

Barriers include environmental barriers, especially those that exist in the built (human-made) infrastructure. Barriers include environmental barriers, especially those that exist in the built (human-made) infrastructure.  For example, obvious barriers include stairs that create barriers to wheelchair users.  Less obvious barriers include the lack of tactile or high colour-contrast surfaces which assists people with navigation of streets and buildings. Physical

Inaccessible latrine Step at entry prevents use by wheelchair users Accessible latrine Entrance on grade allows access by all.

Addressing barriers in the physical environment may be among the easiest barriers to resolve, and often a precursor to achieving parity for people with disabilities in other areas. Addressing barriers in the physical environment may be among the easiest barriers to resolve, and often a precursor to achieving parity for people with disabilities in other areas. Physical, cont.

“The design of products and environments, programs and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without need for adaptation or specialized design.” (CRPD, Article 2) Concept, approach, goal Concept, approach, goal Benefits entire population Benefits entire population Participatory and Local specific Participatory and Local specific Not an international/national standards Not an international/national standards What is Universal Design?

1. Equitable Use 2. Flexibility in Use 3. Simple and Intuitive Use 4. Perceptible Information 5. Tolerance for Error 6. Low Physical Effort 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use Principles of Universal Design

Achievable with small, inexpensive changes that: Achievable with small, inexpensive changes that: Would not require major changes in procurement practicesWould not require major changes in procurement practices Would not add significantly to costsWould not add significantly to costs Work with governments to assess their own codes/guidelines policy, legal framework and compliance with regards to UD and accessibilityWork with governments to assess their own codes/guidelines policy, legal framework and compliance with regards to UD and accessibility Mainstreaming UD in Bank operations

The principle of accessibility is based on the principle of non-discrimination and the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The principle of accessibility is based on the principle of non-discrimination and the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The CRPD emphasizes that limited access or lack of accessibility in various ways often results in human rights violations. The CRPD emphasizes that limited access or lack of accessibility in various ways often results in human rights violations. Article 9 stipulates States must implement programs of action to make physical, social and technological environments more equitable and accessible. Article 9 stipulates States must implement programs of action to make physical, social and technological environments more equitable and accessible. Articles 21 and 24 further address accessibility in information and education. Articles 21 and 24 further address accessibility in information and education. The CRPD

Country Signed CRPDRatified CRPD Algeria Yes Egypt Yes Israel Yes Jordan Yes Lebanon Yes Libya Yes Malta Yes Morocco Yes Oman Yes Qatar Yes Saudi Arabia Yes Syrian Arab Republic Yes Tunisia Yes U. A. E. Yes Yemen Yes

World Bank lending for infrastructure-related programs and projects rose to US$11.7 billion dollars during fiscal year World Bank lending for infrastructure-related programs and projects rose to US$11.7 billion dollars during fiscal year Further increases anticipated in public spending by governments on infrastructure in response to the fiscal crisis anticipated. Further increases anticipated in public spending by governments on infrastructure in response to the fiscal crisis anticipated. Consistent with the Sustainable Infrastructure Action Plan, Consistent with the Sustainable Infrastructure Action Plan, Opportunities

Transport Sector issued guidelines for inclusive transportation Transport Sector issued guidelines for inclusive transportation HDNSP and SDV collaborated on a Social Analysis and Disability guidance note HDNSP and SDV collaborated on a Social Analysis and Disability guidance note Publication Design for All: Implication for Bank Operations Publication Design for All: Implication for Bank Operations Forthcoming publication/training on Accessible BRT in LCR Forthcoming publication/training on Accessible BRT in LCR FURL: DisabilityToolkit FURL: DisabilityToolkit Improving Access in Bank Financed Operations

HDN, SDN, LEG and OPCS (with input from the regions) produced an Action Plan to Introduce Universal Design in Bank-Financed Projects HDN, SDN, LEG and OPCS (with input from the regions) produced an Action Plan to Introduce Universal Design in Bank-Financed Projects Accessibility is primarily a project design and technical specifications matter, and indirectly a procurement one Accessibility is primarily a project design and technical specifications matter, and indirectly a procurement one By implementing UD, the Bank would be proactively aligning itself with the tenets of the CRPD and other development agencies. By implementing UD, the Bank would be proactively aligning itself with the tenets of the CRPD and other development agencies. Action Plan on Accessibility in Bank Operations

Steps to achieve enabling environments include: Consider accessibility early in process Consider accessibility early in process Involve disabled persons in the design and review of projects and programs Involve disabled persons in the design and review of projects and programs Address all aspects of environments Address all aspects of environments PhysicalPhysical Social/attitudinalSocial/attitudinal EconomicEconomic InstitutionalInstitutional TechnologicalTechnological Educate policy makers and designers Educate policy makers and designers Use Universal Design as a guiding principle Use Universal Design as a guiding principle