Architectural Barriers to Special Needs Students.

Abstract

The design of most school buildings do not incorporate the requirements of the handicapped people and where they are found, such *architectural facilities for the special need students are inadequate or substandard. This paper discusses architectural and environmental barriers and hazards to orientation and mobility, which are essential components in the educational service delivery system of special need students. Barriers that affect the handicapped person include limitations to the use of certain spaces, mobility or accessibility problems and building types. It observes that architects employed selective dispensation of their services particularly in school environment, which impedes access to learning and other facilities. The paper suggest in conclusion that to minimize these limitations and improve efficiency in learning, the technology employed in the planning, design and construction of learningfacilities by professionals should serve as enabler rather than an end in itself Keywords: Barriers, Design, Environment, Handicapped, Special Need.