Accessibility Audit Report

VikasSoudha, Bangalore

Audited on 04th July, 2016

INTRODUCTION VikasaSoudha is centrally located on Dr Ambedkar Road in Seshadripuram at the north western end of Cubbon Park. Constructed as an annex to VidhanaSoudha, the secretariat and the state legislature building of Karnataka, VikasaSoudha houses numerous government and legislative offices. VikasaSoudha was built in 2005 to take away the load from the VidhanaSoudha. Built as a replica of the VidhanaSoudha, VikasaSoudha has eight floors. Built with some of the best technologies like a grid interactive solar power system, rainwater harvesting and modern fire extinguishing system, VikasaSoudha has around fifteen conference halls and as many as three hundred and sixty rooms.

The accessibility audit of the VikasSoudha was undertaken on July 4th, 2016. During the audit Shri Arun Kumar and team accompanied. They were cooperative and open in their support and approach. We would like to acknowledge the support by the staff members, who were very forthcoming in sharing information

The methodology used during the audit was:  Undertaking a physical survey of the building,

 Measuring aspects that were found to be obstacles and inaccessible

 Taking photographs

The building comprise of some very accessible designfeatures especially for persons with physical impairments including adequatecirculation spaces, accessible level differences, wide doorways, corridors andseparate disabled friendly toilet. Other positive features in the building include operating person for elevators, good accessibility to the cafeteria and required signage were provided everywhere.

The report has two main sections that are:

 The physical access auditreport that has the audit report for the building. The barriers in different areas in the buildings have been identified and recommendations provided to remove those barriers. Implementation priority for the recommendation is provided alongside.  Annexure – this section of the report contains the technical details of design modification suggested. It also givesguidance signage.

Broad Implementation Strategy

The recommendations may be implemented in phases depending upon availability of funds, possibility of undertaking the renovation activity etc. All recommendations in the report have been provided with a priority number. The legend explaining the priority numbers is given below. While reading the priority numbers the reader is requested to the legend.

Prioritizing Legend 1 = this includes all those areas that may be dangerous for use by people with disabilities and must be acted upon immediately. 2 = All changes that are important and must be implemented as soon as practical and possible. 3 = plan implementation when the relevant area/building is being refurbished. 4 = Changes in policies, procedures and practices that should be implemented as soon as possible, following management approval. 5 = Provided as and when the specific disability constituency is expected to use the environment on a regular bases.

The Audit Team: The core team for audit consisted of people with different types of disabilities, technical and non-technical professionals. 1 Rachana Hemanth Student, BMSCE 2 SejalRanka Student, BMSCE 3 SnehaRenukamurthy Student, BMSCE 4 Priyaponnamma Student, BMSCE 5 Sinchana D.S Student, BMSCE PHYSICAL AUDIT REPORT

This section of the report addresses all areas/buildings in the complex including:

Entrance from the road

The building has fourmain gates for entrance and exit facing east, west, north and south. The width ofthegates are 7200mm, which is wide enough for the vehicles to move in and out. There is a room provided to the allow common peroson the permission to enter the premises of vikassoudha, which is not accesiiblle by a person on wheelchiar because of the level difference. Ther is no alighting point for the persons with disabilities.

Recommendations

Priority 2  We can use any of the option given below

o A special queue/window to be provided for the people with disabilities.

o Kerb ramp to be provided for entering the room.

o Wheel chair to be provided at the entrance.

Priority 1  The security to be trained on disability

There is clear pathway which connects the gate and the main entrance, the width is more than 1200mm and non-slippery. But there is no tactile guiding and warning for independent navigation.

Recommendations

Guiding and warning tactile to be laid from the gate to main Priority 2 entrance and accessible entrance for person with disabilities. (See specification in annexure) Parking

Parking lot for staff is provided in the 3 levels of basement of the building. Whereas, for visitors it is been provided near the entrance. There are over 1600 4-wheeler parking spots for the staff alone. There is nodemarcation of parking space for persons with disabilities (neither staff nor visitors).

Recommendations

There are a couple of staff members with disabilities working in different departments, some who drive to work. Further there may be visitors having disabilities who may be visiting the departments. It is therefore recommended to designate:

One accessible parking bay each for staff member with a Priority 2 disability using a car and two wheeler to be provided near the lifts and the ramp.

Two bays for visitors with disabilities to be demarked.

Accessible parking bays may be of following specifications:  Clear all the materials which is placed in the allotted parking space for persons with disabilities.  The designated accessible parking bays should be no more than 30 meters away from the main accessible entrance.  Parking spaces for individuals with disabilities must be 3600mm wide and 6000 mm long. 1200mm on the side and the rear are the space required to transfer and should have painted yellow or white cross-hatch road markings. Accessible Car Parking Bay

 There should be an international symbol of accessibility painted on the 2400 mm wide floor where the vehicles is to be parked. The symbol should be large enough to be easily visible by person looking for the accessible parking, recommended size being 1000mm x 1000mm but not larger than 1500mm x 1500mm. With the preferred colours being white and blue.  There should also be an identification signboard with the international symbol of accessibility at the height of 1200mm from the finished floor level right at the end of the parking.

Main entrance of the building

The main entrance has stairs, so they have an alternate accessible entrance on the north side of the building where a ramp has been provided.

Ramp: The accessible entrance has ramp with gradient of 1:24 which is way good according to the required standard (1:12), width is 1940mm which is more than required standard (1800mm) with handrails on both sides at two levels 620mm and 900mm high. The floor surface was non-slippery and non- glary. There was no tactile warning blocks in the top and bottom of ramp.

Handrails have been provided on both sides of the ramp at the height of 620mm and 900mm which is in accordance to the required standards, and not continuous to the landing.also the landing is incomplete. The colour of handrails is contrast to background wall and the floor. It is circular with 35mm diameter and non-slippery.

Doors:the entrance door is 1720mm wide which is more than required standard (900mm). The colour of the doorframe is in contrast with wall, but not with door. The door has no vertical bar handle provided to the door. During the office hours the door in entrance is kept open, so there is no need for persons with disabilities to strangle to open the door. The latch of the door is at a height of 2000mm.

Signage: There is an identification signage to identify the accessible entrance. But there is no signage which leads a person with disability to the ramp.

Recommendation:

Extend the handrails till the completion of the ramp. Priority 2 Direction and Identification signage to be placed (as per the Priority 2 specifications given under section signage and Annexure) Single row of tactile warning blocks should be placed at Priority 2 beginning and end of each ramp The security at the main entrance should be able to help the Priority 1 disabled. Vertical circulation

Main Building

Stairs and elevator connect all the 4 upper floors of the building. Apart from these there are lifts provided in the 3 floors of underground. (parking basement).There are 3 staircases designed for safe exist during fire hazard. All the stairs were easily accessible from all parts of the building. Stairs

The stairs in the whole building are continuous without any abrupt and gaps.Allthe steps have uniform riser heights (150mm) and uniform tread widths (300mm) and nosing of 30mm as per the required standards. There is adequate illumination on the stairs during daytime. The handrails were not provided at two levels in the landing. The handrail is provided at a level of 900mm from tread leve.The handrails projected beyond end of the flight and curve back in accordance with section on handrails. There is adequate hand clearance (60mm) between the wall and handrail, as per the required standards (50mm). Signage is provided for all the staircases. The colour of the handrail is in contrast with the background wall. There is no colour contrasting strip at the edge of the steps. The floor surface is non-glary and non-slippery, especially if there is a water on the floor. There is no prominentwarning tactile provided at the beginning or the end of each flight.

Recommendations

Handrails may be provided at two levels instead of one. Priority 3 Provide contrast colour strips of 50 mm at the edge of all treads Priority 1 and risers of each step in the staircase (as shown in the picture below) to make each step more distinguishable for persons with vision impairments. Tactile warning blocks (single row) can be provided at the Priority 2 beginning and end of each flight, if possible or ensure person to be in place for guiding as mentioned under the section Corridor.

Horizontal circulation

Corridors

 In all the floors the corridors have a standard width of 2770mm, which is more than required standard (1200mm), there is enough space for wheelchair user to run around (free circulation). The floor is slippery for the people taking aid of clutches, especially if there is a water on it.  The walls are well illuminated form the daylight. There is colour contrast between the floor, wall, doors and celling.  But there is nocolor contrast between the pillars and the walls.  There are handrails provided only for the cubical open space in the middle of the floors, but not on the side walls. There is no guiding and warning tactile in the corridors.

Recommendations

Handrails may be provided on the walls in all the corridors of the Priority 3 building (See the technical specifications in the annexure) Fire extinguisher can be placed in the recessed section in the wall (to Priorty 3 provide barrier free movement)

Tactile carpet of 4 feet width with less than 12mm thickness and Priority 2 colour contrast to the floor to be used, so that we can avoid slipping and also can help as guide for person with visual impairment to move around independently (see the specification and image in the annexure)

If it not possible to have guiding and warning tactile or handrails, as Priority 2 a reasonable accommodation recommend to have a reception/information counter in the lobby near the accessible entrance, the person in the counter can support the not only persons with disabilities but also others to reach his/her destination.

Have at least two quality wheelchairs at the reception/information Priority 1 counter and ensure it is well maintained

Elevator (Lift)

The building has 6 lifts out of which 4 are spacious enough (2000mmX1600mm) and it connects to all the floors (from basement to 4TH floor) and 2 capsule lifts connecting the upper 4 floors.There is free access from the entrance to the lift.  The door width of the lift is 1000mm wide, which is more than the required standard (900mm). The door operates with sensor and time taken for opening/closing is more than 10 seconds.  there is also an operating person to assist people.  The elevator car has an internal space of 2000mm deep and 1600mm wide, the deep is little lesser than the required standard (2000mm), but the width is more than required standard (1100mm). The floor finish of the car is non-slippery and wall are non-reflective.  There is a visual announcement system. The call buttons outside the lift are at 900mm, as per the required standard (between 900mm to 1200mm).  The handrail is provided on all 3 walls of the car. The handrail is 35mm diameter and hand clearance between handrails from wall is 45mm, which his as per the required standard (45mm-50mm). The handrails colour is not contrast with car wall colour.  Signage mustthe height of the panel is at 1425mm, which is higher than the required standards (800mm to 1200mm), the buttons don’t have high raised numbers, but have designated by Braille.  The emergency button (Alarm) is placed at 1600mm from the floor level, which is little high for person in wheelchair to access. This is been made as per the company standard. The good thing is they have lift operators in all the elevators during the office hours.

Recommendations

The elevator call button and floor numbers outside the lift in each Priority 1 floor can be in braille and raised lettering. Mirror can be placed at the rare wall of the car. Priority 2 A phone should be placed at accessible level (1200mm from Priority 2 finished floor level) inside the car in case of emergency. The door opening and closing time should be made 20-30 sec. Priority 2 An audio floor announcement system should be installed in the Priority 2 lift. Accessible emergency information board with appropriate font Priority 2 and in braille to be placed in appropriate height (specification as mention for information signage) Signage must be provided with appropriate fonts and braille to Priority 1 mention the availability of the nearest elevator

 Majority of the doors of department in the building are double leaf and a standard door width 2000mm is been followed in the building, which is more than the required standards. The length of vertical bar handle lower end sited at 1100 mm from the finished floor level which is within the required standard (900mm to 1200mm).  The colour of the doorframe is contrast with wall, but not with door. There are no thresholds present on the door. There was a level difference of 1.2 cm between the corridor and the rooms.

Recommendations

Keep both the door leaf open during office hours. Priority 3 Change the colour of the doorframe in contrast with door and Priority 2 wall. Provide a kick boards Priority 1 Signage

There are visible signage using the international symbol of accessibility at each floor and presence of toilet, but they are mounted above 2100mm from the ground level, and it is difficult to read.

All the signage are as per as the standard requirements.

There are detailed floor information and direction signage near the stairs and elevators of all the floors and for emergency exit. But none of the visual signage is provided with Braille. There are floor plans showing accessible routes of the whole building.

One good thing is they have information board in the main entrance and right in front of each elevator in all the 7 floors which gives the information of the different department in different floors, but it is not in braill which poses problem for the blind people visiting and currently working in the Vikhasa and Vidhanasoudha. The information are provided in two languages (English and Kannada) and both are in same colour, again this will create little confusion for person with low vision to differentiate.

Recommendations

All the signage must be mounted in appropriate height Priority 1 (1200mm)to fall in the viewing area of a standing person as well as a wheelchair user

• Therefore the room identification signage with legible font must be lowered and placed on the wall next to the room on the door opening side. o Room identification signage must be in raised letters and preferably also in Braille. o The signage letters must contrast with the board colour. Directional signage within the building needs to be provided for Priority 2 o Waiting area, cafeteria, reception etc. o Basic facilities such elevators

The basic points to be considered while providing directional signage: o Wall mounted signage should also have Braille and be mounted between the height of 1350 mm to 1650 mm from the floor o In spaces in which signs would not be visible in large crowds, they should be suspended from the ceiling. The preferred minimum headroom of directional signs suspended from ceilings or posts, or projected from walls, should be 2 meters high.

All accessible facilities have directional signage from the lobby and at various decision-making points such as corridor intersections and lift lobby.

Apart from directional signage there areidentification signage Priority 1 provided In Braille and raised letters along the accessible facility for easy identification of it.

Accessible Toilet

5 toilets are provided in each floor. Total No. of toilets for physically Challenged.

 It was cubicles provided in the toilets, the inner space is 1750mm X 1500mm which is lesser than the required standards (1750mm X 2200mm).  The toilet door is single sliding door. The width of the door is 1500mm which is more than required standards (900mm). The position of the locks are at 1650mm, which is little high for the person in wheelchair to use. But since it is kept open all the time it won’t pose much problem.  The cubicle door is sliding type 1500mm.  The water closet is installed in a corner with centreline of 550mm from the adjacent wall, which is 50mm far from the wall compare to the required standard (450mm to 500mm), but still it is manageable. The flash tank is place on the backside which gives a back support. The water closet seat is at the height of 450mm from finished floor level, which is as per the required standard (450mm). There is more than 800mm clear transfer space next to the water closet. The water jet and water tap is at the right side of the water closet.  Fold up grab bar is installed within 200mm from the centreline of water closet seat. There is “L” shape grab bar close the water closet and also horizontal bars on the side and rear wall.  The distance of the wash basin installed is more than required standard (400mm). There is a vertical grab bar only the right side of the wash basin. The top edge of the wash basin is around 810mm, which is within required standard (800mm to 850mm). There is a less knee space, the height is 620mm which is less than required standard (680mm), but still it is manageable. The width is more that 750mm, because it’s an open space and the depth is 480mm, which is as per required standard (480mm). The tap used is knob type. The floor surface is non-slippery and there is a colour contrast between the floor, wall and sanitary fittings. A mirror of 2 feet is mounted at within the height of 1000mm, which is as per the required standard, but it is not in the required angle (15 1/2) for the wheelchair user.  The flooring was slippery especially when it is wet.  In case of emergency there is no audio or visual alarm system or telephone to alert persons outside or to seek support.  There is an identification signage with international symbol, but it is mounted above the door, which is very high and difficult to locate and also there is no information in braille.  There is accessible space in front of the urinal, there is no elongated rim or vertical grab bar(urinals) Recommendation

Light switch to be fixed near the entrance door of the toilet room Priority 1 and to be mounted at height of 600mm to 1200mm with contrast broader with minimum 15mm wide. Have vertical grab bar on the left side to the wash basin and Priority 1 urinals Visual and Audio alarm to be fixed inside the toilet, so that person Priority 1 inside the room should get alert The mirror to be bend forward with degree of 15 1/2 Priority 1 The paper roll handle, towel handle and cloth hook to be provided Priority 1 (see the specification in annexure) Hygiene has to be maintained well. Priority 1 Toilet flooring should be made non-slippery Priority 2

CAFETERIA

 There is cafeteria at the 1st floor which is step free. There is adequate circulation space for the wheelchair user. There are two levels of tables 740mm and 860mm from the floor level, the height of the chairs are 560mm.  The floor is non-slippery. The wash basin height is 890mm with knob type faucets. The knee space is adequate. Easy to access the drinking water, the tap is at 820mm from the ground level and drinking glasses are placed on the table close to the water filter at 860mm high from ground level.

 The height of the food counter is 910mm and cash counter is 750mm from the floor level, which is within the required standard. General practice is to serve food for all the customers, but the staff don’t have any training on disability and how to communicate with them.

Recommendations

To have one round table with appropriate knee space for person Priority 2 using wheelchair Handwash and drinking water has been placed on a different level, Priority 2 that must be shifted to the same level and build it according to the required standards Train the staff on disability, so that they are sensitive and able to Priority 2 provide service in comfortable way The staff in the cafeteria must be trained to help the disabled and Priority 1 provide table service to them. To make the floor more tactile and provide colour strips on the Priority 1 floor to make it disabled accessible. Emergency Evacuation

The building has an emergency exit in all the floors and but you need to get downthe stairs to exit from the building. They have an alerting system, but only audible. The alerting button are is mounted at 1000mm, which is within the required standard (600mm to 1200mm) and it is contrast with the background of the wall, but there is object to break the alarm glass.

There is no directional or identification signage and there is no evacuation plan prominently displayed on all floors. The staff are not been trained to on evacuation and there is no evacuation chairs available.

Recommendation

Should get all the staff oriented on evacuation, especially on Priority 1 supporting persons with disabilities to get evacuated Directional and identification signage to be mounted (as per the Priority 1 standards) Add flashing beacons for the alarm to alert all people including Priority 1 people with hearing impairments. Provide evacuation plans on each floor. In the evacuation plan Priority 2 the accessible evacuation route must be identified. The fire evacuation plans: o Must be not too small making them difficult to read. The must be large enough to be read easy even by people with low vision. o ‘ You are here’ point must be marked on the evacuation plan for the viewer to get their orientation o The plan should contrast strongly against the background. Where possible, these should incorporate raised letters and tactile routes, and Braille for benefit of persons with visual. o The evacuation plan must not have an acrylic sheet over it as it causes reflection making it difficult for people with low vision. To have at least one evacuation chairs at each floor (see picture Priority 2 below)

Other Recommendations

Lighting Lighting provided is adequate for all during day time, but must be improved for evening/ night times to make it more disabled friendly. Switches

In most sections of the building switches are placed at appropriate height, but the switch-board and switches are not contrasted with the background.

Recommendations

Paint or stick contrast border with minimum 15 mm wide Priority 2

Drinking water

On each floor they have two drinking water filters, but it is difficult for person with disabilities to access it. The drinking water filters are kept 150mm above the ground level to avoid water getting spread on the floor. It is kept at a distance of 2 feet from the block, close to rear wall. Also, there is no glasses for drinking.

Recommendation

The water filter can be shifted on side wall and close to the edge Priority 1 of the block, it will be easy to access by persons with disabilities and also the water will not get spread on the floor Drinking glasses to be provided near the filter Priority 1

Flooring

Flooring in Corridors are slippery proof, but can be improved. Colour strips of stickers can be placed on the floor to help the low visual. Flooring in the office areas are made of vitrified tiles, which slippery, they should be made slippery proof by adding carpet or making it tactile.

Recommendation Provide coloured strips to the flooring. Priority 1 Make the flooring tactile. Priority 1 Summary

VikasSoudha is a moderately new building( 12 years old), good working condition and planned the structure in such a way that it is disabled friendly. Provision of elevators for vertical Circulation has been made at every access point and is disabled friendly (there are small issues that must be rectified immediately). Signages are provided at many required positions, but must be made more disabled accessible. Introducing Audio systems to help the visually impaired people will be of great help. Providing wheelchairs at all floor for disable to use. Printing the signages and the name boards in non-glossy material will be a good help for all people. The staff are helpful to the disabled, but must be trained more. Reserved parking bays can be suggested for the disabled staff or the visitors near the elevators or the ramps.

Signages are placed high, Drinking water must be placed Not visible for disabled someother place.

Poor conditions of the bathroom, missing sink poor hygiene.

All the railings must be extended to make it more accessible for the wheel chaired person.

Location of drinking water and sink on the same level in the cafeteria. Signages must be made Position of Emergency buttons of non-glossy material must the positioned little.

Thank You

Make the floor more tactile Name boards are high, must And also add colour strips placed low. The position of switches is located at the appropriate height, but the colour of switch broad must be in contrast to wall colour.