Accessibility of People with Physical Disabilities to Sidewalks in Surakarta, Central Java

Endang Sri Wahyuni

Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Polytechnics,

Ministry of Health Surakarta

ABSTRACT

Background: Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities. Sidewalks, like roadways, should be designed to serve all users. This includes children, older people, parents with strollers, pedestrians who have vision impairments, people with physical disabilities (PWDs), people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices. This study aimed to assess accessibility of people with physical disability to sidewalks in Surakarta, Central Java.

Subjects and Method: This was an explorative qualitative study conducted in Surakarta, Central Java. The target population was people with physical disabilities (PWDs). The main variable under study was access to sidewalk. The data were collected by interview, observation, and documentation. The data were analyzed by triangulation method.

Results: The architectural design of the sidewalks was incompatible with the need of PWDs. Most of the streets and sidewalks in Surakarta were not accessible by PWDs.

Conclusion: Most of the streets and sidewalks in Surakarta are not accessible by PWDs. In order to meet the needs of all sidewalk users, designers must have a clear understanding of the wide range of abilities that occur within the population.

Keywords: accessibility, sidewalks, pedestrian, people with physical disabilities

Correspondence: Endang Sri Wahyuni. Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Polytechnics, Ministry of Health Surakarta. Jl. Kapten Adi Sumarmo, Surakarta 57173, Central Java. Email: sri.baroto@yahoo.com. Mobile: 08172835183

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/theicph.2018.01.17

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