OBSERVATION CHECK LIST FOR BARRIER FREE ACCESS
BARRIER FREE PATH OF TRAVEL (INTERIORS)
Is the floor surface free of grates or openings
Is it wide enough for two people to pass
Is the path stable, firm and slip resistant
Are ramps done correctly where ramps are required and are changes level or beveled correctly at door openings, floor changes etc
Is lighting adequate for vision impairment
Are there any objects protruding from the wall or from the floor that would be an impediment or danger to the blind or vision impaired e.g. Phones, stalls, garbage cans/waste receptacles, signs
Are there any overhead obstructions or freestanding objects overhanging above ground or floor that would be an impediment or danger to the blind or visually impaired e.g. lamps, lighting, signs, wires and stairwells
BUILDINGS, ENTRANCES AND DOORS
Are signs adequate to assist in locating accessible entrances
Is there at least one entrance barrier free path leading to sidewalk
Yes No
1

If more than 5 entrances to the building then 50% must be barrier free leading to the outside sidewalk or ramp
Vision Panel in door to assist the visually impaired (75mm wide and 900mm above the floor and 200 mm from the latch side) Glass does not extend to the door bottom.
Lighting (100lux) for visually impaired
Lever handles or push plate door pulls instead of round doorknobs
BUILDING – GENERAL ISSUES
Accessible washrooms, close to activity rooms
Wall mounted pay phone recesses into the wall or equipped with a privacy extension extending to the floor. Must be cane detectable
Fire alarms must have large display
Doors with a minimum of 920 mm opening
Hallways, minimum width 1200 mm
Modified benches at top and bottom of stairs
Bold direction signage and symbols with high contrast lettering at eye level
Bold striped on clear glass doors
Textured and coloured borders along platform edges
Electronic sensor operated doors (or push button)
Door handles lever type and highlighted with contrasting colours
Wide turnstiles 920mm (36”) at automatic exits and entrances
2

Extended stairway handrails for visually impaired
FAMILY /SPECIAL WASHROOMS
Should be on the same floor and within 45m of the barrier free washrooms. Doors equipped with a lock from inside with one hand and with a release from outside
Family washrooms, signage to indicate usage by males, females and families
Turning space 1.525 m OD
Sink the same as in washroom
Grab Bars, same as in Grab Bars
Toilet same as Toilets/Urinals
Doorways and doors same as Washroom
Door closes slowly
Braille signs on doors to indicate gender
GRAB BARS
Grab Bar behind toilet mounted above tank or on wall where there is no tank
Grab Bar, slip resistant and 30-40mm and space between wall and bar to be 30-40mm
Mounted horizontally on side wall next to toilet, extending both directions from front of toilet
Mounted horizontally on side wall next to toilet extending both directions from front of toilet
At urinal, vertical Grab Bar on each side
Bathtub Grab Bar, aligned with outer edge of tub for exit
Beside toilet, away from wall
3

Counter top in Reception area, max height 810 mm
Doorway to Examination Rooms and Offices width 920mm, contrast colour to passage wall colour
Hallways equipped with handrails along the walls
Floors, non-slip
ORIENTATION CUES FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Pillars/Columns in contrasting colours to surroundings, used to mount large signage
Colours, use yellow, orange, white or fluorescent colours on dark background
Emergency Exits, signals etc. painted red
Signage, rooms, doorknobs, staircases and handrails in contrast colours.
Colours, not side by side
Floors, non-slip, non-reflective, contrast with walls and no contrasting colours
No CERAMIC FLOORS WITH HARD SMOOTH FINISHES
No SHINY SURFACES
End walls, bright colour
Direction changes, bright colour
Furniture, carpet with low pile, acoustical tiles to reduce sound echoes
Sound reduction not in hallways or narrow paths
Detectable warning surfaces on floors to be made of concrete and coarse broom finish, brick, rubber or raised strips
4

Detectable strips extending full width of hazard and 800mm deep
Grooves in floor used only indoors
Texture contrast with surrounding surface
Warning signs set 600-1200 mm in front of hazard or on both sides
Signage on doors, directions etc to be raised with contrasting colours with the wall and be extra large
Raised figures, contrasting colour on side of door to washrooms, on same side as handle
Doors and Jams in contrast to wall, eg light wall, dark door. Doorjamb
Stairs have 50 mm wide solid strip on edge of tread and riser 100 mm in contrasting colours on all stairs and risers, eg brown stair and yellow or white stripe
Handrails on stairs and ramps a real problem, be colour contrasted to wall
Floor numbering in contrasting colours to surroundings, used to mount large signage
Walls of corridors with 300 mm stripe, 1700 mm above floor in contrasting colour with picture or pattern opposite doorway. Provides colour and indicates line of travel to location
Hard surface, firm and level
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BANKS, HOTELS, LIBRARIES ETC.
Aisle width in cafeteria, libraries 1060 mm
Lighting, 100 Lux in libraries at book stacks >200 Lux
HOTEL/ MOTEL BEDROOMS AND RESIDENCES
5

Doorway clear width of 810 mm (32”)
Wall light switch> 810mm and <1200 mm above floor, operable with closed fist or automatic sensor
Light Switch, large and within reach of bed, operable with closed fist
Bed Height 450 mm to 510 mm
Heating/Cooling controls >810 and <1200 above floor, operable with closed fist
Doors open clear 920 mm with space to turn
Door threshold 13 mm and beveled
Mirror, full length useable both standing and seated
Counter at check-in <885 mm above floor
Lighting 100 Lux
Seats at top of stairs and ramp
RECEPTION AREAS
Assistive Listening Device
If drinking fountains, then one should be barrier free
Water Fountain recessed in wall or equipped with privacy fountain extending to the floor that is cane detectable
Info Centre, open concept
Newspaper/Reading Material clearly indicated
Signs, Directions, locations of Departments etc.
STAIRWAYS
6

Handrail must be graspable
Guardrail on stairs 920 mm (36”) from top of rail to floor
Step width <1100 mm
Stair, if overhangs, 2.4m above walkway, then enclosed or attention drawn by planters etc.
Stair, each with colour contrast on edge for vision impairments
Stair, non-resilient and n0n-skid surface
Riser height uniform, closed and plain faced
Riser height >162.4 and <180 mm
Tread width uniform and >26 and < 280mm
Front edge at right angles to path of travel
Nosing of contrasting colour
Handrail, continue width of 1 tread beyond bottom riser
Handrail has a 300mm horizontal extension at bottom
Handrail, if more than one step then placed on both sides
Stair nosing not abrupt (squared) rounded preferred
Guardrail on landing > 1100 mm and on stairs > from top of rail to stair nosing
Landing, clear depth = to widest stair or 1.2 m
Lighting, 100Lux
Lighting, no glare on user
TOILETS AND URINALS
7

Signage to toilets clearly labeled
Enough walking and rotating space
Wash Basins clearly visible and in contrast colour to counter
Toilets and Urinals easily identifiable
8