Zero Project Innovative Practice 2018 on Accessibility
Planning and building accessible cities, simplified
Chile – Corporacion Ciudad Accesible (CCA) – Graphic Accessibility Guides
Summary:
Corporacion Ciudad Accesible (CCA), an NGO founded in 2000 and based in Santiago de Chile, works to promote a city and spaces, where universal accessibility could bring autonomy to people with disabilities.. In 2002 the organization began to publish graphic accessibility guides in the form of leaflets called “Accessible Thematic Files.” By 2017, 13 Accessible Thematic Files have been published and are available as free downloads, supporting municipalities, planning institutions, and the public with the aim of accelerating the planning of accessible environments, buildings, and towns. The website has approximately 60,000 visitors per year.
Problems Targeted:
Architects and designers, as well as users such as persons with disabilities and their families, do not have direct access to such tools as diagrams and illustrations that would enable them to adapt to or construct accessible environments. Further, available information on accessible building is often incomprehensible to the non-professional.
Solution, Innovation, and Impact:
The Accessible Thematic Files are intended to bring current national standards and Universal Design topics for outdoor and built environments closer to everyone – both professionals and non-professionals – so that the accessibility measures in buildings and environments become more efficient. The files cover 13 topics, such as public places and parks, sports facilities, tourism facilities, pedestrians, etc. These guides simplify the existing and sometimes complicated building regulations, and work with pictures, pictograms, and illustrations to make information more accessible. CCA distributes the Accessible Thematic Files in the form of leaflets or they can be downloaded free of charge.
On average the website has 60,000 visitors each year.
In Chile, the distribution of the Accessible Thematic Files have contributed to the introduction of specific laws on accessibility and the construction of better quality pavements and pedestrian crossings in municipalities, and have encouraged tourism companies to implement accessible tours and infrastructure.
Outlook, Transferability, and Funding:
To reach more people, in 2015 the Accessible Thematic Files were compiled in the form of an updated and simplified version. They are available for downloading and reach around 5,000 visitors each month, some of which seek permission to redistribute them. The materials are also used in other Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.
The practice is very cost-efficient, as the digital format does not generate any costs beyond the maintenance of the website. CCA is funded through consulting projects for privately owned companies or institutions that want to implement the accessibility guidelines. These companies/institutions pay for workshops, seminars, examination of infrastructure, consulting, and reports.
About the Practice at a Glance:
Name of Innovative Practice: Graphic accessibility guides: manuals and files for a city for everyone
Organization: Corporacion Ciudad Accesible
Country of Implementation: Chile
Facts and Figures:
· Since 2015, pdf versions of the Accessible Thematic Files have been available for downloading at no charge.
· CCA has approximately 60,000 website visitors each year.
Contact:
Kristine France
Links and Further Reading:
Ciudad Accesible Website
Youtube Link
Accessibility Guide
Quote:
“Fifteen years ago when we built our house and wanted it to be accessible to our daughter, who is a wheelchair user, it was with the help of CCA solutions that were we able to overcome architectural barriers.”
— Claudia Riquelme, architect and specialist in accessibility