Wheelchair accessibility: Descriptive survey of curb ramps in an urban area

Purpose. To determine the extent to which curb ramps in an urban area met a set of wheelchair accessibility guidelines. Method. For each of 79 intersections in an urban area, we collected data about eight accessibility characteristics, based on existing guidelines. A total score (0-8) was calculated for each intersection, based on the number of criteria met. Results. Of the 79 intersections assessed, 98.7% had curb ramps. Of the curb ramps, 53.8% provided direct lines of travel from the sidewalks to the crosswalks, 93.6% were >= 915 mm in width, 43.6% had ramp slopes <= 4.88 degrees (1: 12), 57.7% had gutter counter-slopes of <= 2.98 degrees (1: 20), 26.9% had smooth transitions (<= 13 mm) from the curb ramps to the gutters, 85.9% were free from irregularities and 100% were free from drainage grates. The mean (+/- SD) total score was 5.6 (+/- 1.1). Only 2.6% of the intersections met all eight criteria. Conclusions. Although curb ramps were usually present at intersections, only a small proportion of them met all of the accessibility criteria evaluated. This finding has implications for those responsible for installing and maintaining curb ramps and suggests that wheelchair users and their caregivers should learn the wheelchair skills needed to overcome such accessibility barriers.