Sector-specific Universal Design|To the extent that the World Bank makes loans for the construction of schools, public buildings, streets paths and other public infrastructure, it has the opportunity to facilitate their universal design at a very low cost simply by encouraging universal design and providing information to its clients about the most cost-effective methods for its application. This section discusses how universal design concepts can be incorporated into each sector’s work program; including transport, urban development, water and sanitation, education, health, and ICT, as well as into post-conflict, disaster recovery and reconstruction program.
Sector-specific Universal Design
Transport
Lack of universal design of transport services limits access for people with disabilities, the elderly, and many other groups to economic, social, political and cultural activities, and thus perpetuates exclusion. It imposes barriers to employment, education, training, health or social services that would be otherwise available.
There has been progress in reducing barriers in the transport environment particularly in high-income countries, and many of the low and middle-income countries have also adopted accessibility policies. However, it is often a challenge to put these policies into practice due to lack of resources for implementation as well as the inadequate monitoring and enforcement of the policies. In most cases, applying Western standards and design concepts to deliver access solutions and ensure universal access in transport systems is not affordable or realistic for the provider or for the users in low-income countries as most of them are too poor to pay the costs of such standards.
Thus, it is critical to adopt universal design depending on the level of existing development and local circumstances. For example, there are various interventions that can be done with relatively low cost, such as curb cuts insets at street corners, ramps to public buildings, and larger letters on bus destination signs. These low cost improvements can bring disproportionate benefits not only to people with disabilities but also to all passengers.
Interventions also vary depending on the typical mode of transportation. In some circumstances, there could be a special emphasis on developing universal design of non-motorized transport when such transport modes are in common use and bus service may be limited or unavailable. In other circumstances, universal design features of motorized transport should be focused due to the key role these systems may play in providing the majority of trips to all passengers
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