Although a ward office makes efforts to execute various welfare policies made for the disabled person, the convenient facilities are still lacking in support and maintenance. For this reason, this research investigated the condition of convenient faci...
Although a ward office makes efforts to execute various welfare policies made for the disabled person, the convenient facilities are still lacking in support and maintenance. For this reason, this research investigated the condition of convenient facilities for the handicapped in Busan ward offices and then can come to the following conclusions.
First, the rate of proper convenient facility installation for the handicapped in Busan ward offices is lower than other cities. According to a report executed in 2006, the average rate of whole country proper installation was 69.4%. But this study shows that the proper installation rate in Busan is 62.86% , unsuitable is 23.66% and non-installation is 13.48%. These rates indicate Busan city is in short support and maintenance.
Second, the continuous establishment and development of facilities in ward offices is not enough. Comparing founding ward office date with installation rate, these should have been in direct proportion. If valid convenient facilities were set up from old times, the oldest building could show the highest installation rate. From the present state of convenient facility in ward offices, we can know that the condition of convenient facility was not changed and improved.
Third, several convenient facilities for the handicapped are inadequate. For example, though there is an accurate space between braille blocks, when it is set, the size of other components was considered preferentially. Under this situation, in a dangerous place such as a step, accidents can happen because the space between Braille blocks is inexact. Besides supplement handles in a restroom or slope way is set without obeying the official regulations. If they were not solid, they could be exposed to a risk. And if they were not in an appropriate location, they could not be used. So imprudent convenient facilities for the handicapped will be a danger.
Fourth, the convenient facilities for the handicapped have not been managed. The restrooms for the handicapped have been used for cleaning compartment and supplement handles in restroom have been an obstacle. These cases will cause difficulties of space efficiency and low frequency of use and finally bring indifference of the convenient facilities for the handicapped.
At the end, the concerned’s lacking of understanding has to be removed. When designer or builder faced slope of ramp or sliding problems, they applied a 1/8 rule to each case. Because they have difficulties to judge a standard and apply Korean disability law to buildings. So a study for unclear regulations for convenient facilities will perform to avoid confusion related to application of design.