ABSTRACT
Background of the study: Wheelchairs are common assistive devices among people with disabilities. It is important that buildings, especially educational buildings, have the infrastructure needed to make them accessible to those who use wheelchairs and other assistive devices for people with disabilities to participate in activities in their communities. Few studies have reported the accessibility of wheelchairs for secondary school buildings to people with disabilities, and none in Benin City. Aim(s): This research is aimed at determining wheelchair accessibility of secondary school buildings which includes toilets, offices, classrooms, libraries, and laboratories in the selected secondary schools in Benin City. Methodology: This study is a descriptive survey research. 24 Secondary School Buildings in Benin City were assessed. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24 and descriptive statistics of frequency tables and percentages was used to analyse the data obtained. Secondary school buildings were selected via proportional sampling and individual schools to be visited will be selected via convenience sampling. Measurements taken from each secondary school buildings were compared to an adapted version of the Americans with disabilities acts accessibility guidelines (ADAAG). Results: This findings of this study showed that there were low Level of compliance among Secondary School Buildings with the Americans with Disabilities acts accessibility guidelines (ADAAG) in Benin City Edo State. Out of 24 buildings, 24 Classrooms and Admin Buildings, 10 Libraries, 15 Laboratories and 11 toilets were assed for Doorway Width, 24 Classrooms and Admin Buildings, 11 Libraries, 13 Laboratories and 10 toilets were assed for Height of Threshold, 5 buildings were assessed for Step tread and Step Riser, and 11 Rest rooms were assed for Stall depth, Stall width, Sink. All secondary school buildings measured didn’t have Ramp in their entrances, and also Grab Bar in restrooms. Keywords: Wheelchair, Accessibility, Secondary School Buildings.
