Towards Accessible Built Environments in Universities in Ghana: An Approach to Inclusiveness Assessment

Authors

  • Eric Paul Tudzi Department of Land Economy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
  • John Bugri Department of Land Economy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
  • Anthony Danso Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v28i1.592

Keywords:

Sustainable Development Goals, disability, Composite Disability Design Inclusiveness Score, access audit

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to objectively assess the level of inclusiveness of buildings in selected Universities on the basis of international protocols and local legislation that require that buildings should be made accessible to persons with disabilities.

Method: A building inclusiveness model, the Composite Disability Design Inclusiveness Score (CDDIS), was used to assess the levels of inclusiveness of 110 buildings in 6 purposively selected Universities in Ghana, using maximal variation sampling.

Results: It was found that the buildings of the sampled Universities were not inclusive to a large extent. With one exception, there were variations in the levels of inclusiveness of the buildings in each institution.

Conclusions: Irrespective of international protocols and local legislation, the built environments in Universities are not as accessible as they ought to be.

Limitation: The CDDIS is a simple quantitative means of assessing the inclusiveness of buildings and allows for objective comparisons. However, it is expected that for purposes of comparison, identical buildings should be used. Any intended use of the CDDIS will require the use of a checklist that is appropriately designed to meet the peculiarities of the particular study.

Implications: There is the need for expedited effort to ensure inclusiveness in University built environments. This will help greatly towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Author Biographies

Eric Paul Tudzi, Department of Land Economy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

A lecturer at the Department of Land Economy. His research interests are in Corporate Real Estate Management, Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in the Built Environment and Land Governance.  

John Bugri, Department of Land Economy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

An Associate Professor in the Faculty of Built Environment. His research focus is on changes in the political ecology of rural and urban communities and the implications for sustainable development.

Anthony Danso, Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Building Technology, KNUST, Kumasi. He holds BSc in Building Technology and MPhil and PhD in Civil Engineering. His main research interests are in Concrete Structures, Building Materials, Building Services and Accessibility to the Built Environment.

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Published

2017-05-23

How to Cite

1.
Tudzi EP, Bugri J, Danso A. Towards Accessible Built Environments in Universities in Ghana: An Approach to Inclusiveness Assessment. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2017 May 23 [cited 2024 Sep. 8];28(1):189-206. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/254

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2017): Spring 2017

Section

Brief reports

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Copyright (c) 2017 The Author(s)

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