JEDDAH, 13 May 2007 — Two architects have intensified a campaign seeking to deal with the needs of people with disabilities in the construction of new buildings.
Giving an overview of the campaign that covers architects, planners, designers and builders, Jospeh Kwan of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and head of the global wing of International Commission on Technology and Accessibility (ICTA), said he and Mukhtar M. Alshibani, chair of ICTA-Arab region, discussed prospects of cooperation between ICTA and the Kingdom with local authorities last week.
“Our mission is to see how we could assist the Kingdom in design and accessibility for the disabled,” Kwan told Arab News over the weekend. “The response from Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Awadh Radadi has been positive,” Kwan said.
In March, 80 countries signed a charter under the UN Committee on Rights of Disabled, calling for provision of accessibility to people with disabilities in matters like transport, schools, hospitals, business and commercial premises, tourist places and employment.
“A new building code is under process in the Kingdom which will include a general chapter about accessibility for the disabled. The Prince Salman Disabilities Research Center in Riyadh is conducting a comprehensive study about the accessibility issue under the chairmanship of Prince Sultan ibn Salman,” Alshibani said.
“Our effort is aimed at creating this awareness so that people with disabilities are not discriminated against,” Alshibani, an architect leader with extensive expertise in accessibility in the Arab world, said. He headed the Saudi Standard Organization (SASO) in the setting of Saudi national standards. His office, Almodon, is claimed to be the first to deal with the needs of people with disabilities in the “built environment” in the Arab region.
The ICTA supports global promotion and implementation of more equitable and accessible technology and environment.
Key ICTA activities relate to information, research and education. ICTA initiates, facilitates and provides information regarding technology and accessibility through the internet. This information is available to everyone including people with disabilities, older people, advocates, professionals, researchers, legislative bodies and the general community, Kwan pointed out.
Rehabilitation International (RI) is a global and diverse network of persons with disabilities, non-government organizations, government agencies, service providers and advocates who work together to advance the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide, he added.