The ambulant disabled are people who walk with difficulty and insecurity, using canes, braces, crutches, or other aids.

A) SOME BASIC CHARACTERISTICS

:: Many elderly people, the temporarily disabled, and those with an amputated leg or foot are included in this group.

:: The ambulant disabled may have problems to stoop because they may have difficulties at bending their knees.

:: They may easily lose stability and fall if they want to reach things that are too low, so the lower range of reach of a standing person should be approximately 0.40m.

:: For the same reason as above, they cannot reach things that are too high, so the highest range of reach of the ambulant disabled is 1.60m.

:: The ambulant disabled have problems to move quickly through self-closing or revolving doors as well as rapidly closing lift doors.

B) ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE AMBULANT DISABLED

:: Handles, controls, switches, storage elements, and important items should be within the reach of a standing person so that stooping is not necessary (between 0.60m and 1.40m).

:: They find sometimes steps and stairs easier to use than ramps.

:: Steps, stairs and ramps should have double round or oval handrails, positioned on both sides and separated, at least, 0.04m from the wall.

:: Handrails should extend beyond the first and last step.

:: Level rest platforms at regular intervals are necessary at ramps and stairs.

:: Steps and stairs should not have open risers or protruding nosings.

:: Hard, level, non-skid surfaces are essential. They should also be kept free of obstacles and snow.

:: All ramps, stairs, pavements, doorways, platforms, etc. should be kept dry and free of snow and ice.

:: Rapidly accelerating lifts should always have handrails.

:: Seats should not be lower than 0.45m from the floor, otherwise people may have trouble standing up.