ABSTRACT
Background: Studies have shown that about 10% of the general population are living with disability and may require the use of a wheelchair which is a commonly used assistive device among people with disability. Studies have investigated the accessibility of public buildings to wheelchair users.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the level of wheelchair accessibility of buildings in University of Benin, Benin City. Methods: A Purposive sampling technique was used to select 41 buildings from 9 Faculties and the Main Library within the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus. A tape measure was used to measure the height of threshold, door width, step riser and grade of to the nearest inches and centimeters. Measurements taken from each building were compared to an adapted version of the Americans with disabilities acts accessibility guidelines (ADAAG). The obtained data was summarized and presented using descriptive statistics of frequency distribution tables, percentage and mean.
Result:. The mean height of threshold, door width, step riser, step thread and grade of ramp were; 1.90 ± 1.90 inches, 58.90 ± 16.36 inches, 15.92 ± 3.35 cm, 29.30 ± 29.30 cm and 4.43 ± 8.58 % respectively. Only 24.39% of buildings met the criteria for wheelchair accessibility.
Conclusion: wheelchair accessibility of buildings in University of Benin was very poor. Efforts should be made towards making the University of Benin and every other Educational Institution accessible to wheelchair.
