Comparison of wheelchair accessibility of public buildings pre and post the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) in Harare, Zimbabwe: a case study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accessibility to wheelchair users of public buildings built pre and post the International Year of the Disabled Persons (1981) in Harare central business district in Zimbabwe. DESIGN: A case study. SETTING: Harare central business district. SUBJECTS: 20 public buildings with at least two floors open to all users in the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wheelchair accessibility of public buildings. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the median percentage compliance of parking areas (p = 0.546), ramps (p = 0.155) and toilets (p = 0.648) between the buildings built before the International Year of the Disabled Persons (IYDP) and those built after the IYDP. The overall median compliance of parking areas, ramps and toilets was 14% (Q1 = 14, Q3 = 21), 54% (Q1 = 43, Q3 = 62) and 45% (Q1 = 31.5, Q3 = 70), respectively. However, there was some evidence (p = 0.067) to suggest that compliance of entrances was better IYDP [median = 100% (Q1 = 90, Q3 = 100)] than pre IYDP [median = 80% (Q1 = 70, Q3 = 100)]. Meanwhile there was a significant difference in the median percentage compliance of elevators (p = 0.014) between pre[median = 90% (Q1 = 80, Q3 = 90)] and post [median = 100% (Q1 = 100, Q3 = 100)] IYDP. CONCLUSION: Overall compliance was poor. It is recommended that people with disabilities and the experts in the area of physical ability management be consulted and involved in the design and construction of these buildings.