A dimensão humana da acessibilidade em calçadas: um estudo sobre o caminhar autônomo da pessoa com deficiência visual em trecho da Av. Álvaro Otacílio, Maceió – AL

Abstract

After World War II and the founding of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, there was a change in the perception about people with disabilities. This has led to the debate on the extension of human rights, with progress in international policies and national legislations. A concept of disability based on the interaction between individual and environmental factors was developed and the evolution of the concept of Universal Design took place. In the urban environment, several studies have addressed the need for spaces designed from the principles of Universal Design and aspects of pedestrian walkability. In this context, this work aims to understand how requirements of accessibility and walkability interfere in the autonomy of these subjects to move in sidewalks. The study was developed along the Álvaro Otacílio, in the city of Maceió, Alagoas and based on the technical evaluation and the perspective of the person with visual impairment (blind). The research has qualitative and quantitative character and uses experimental method. The person-environment relationship was approached through an objective evaluation, based on an accessibility checklist and a walkability index, and a subjective evaluation, applying the accompanied walk method with a blind volunteer. The results pointed to a "sufficient" walkability index in the analyzed urban environment and it was possible to understand a correlation between the difficulties faced by the volunteer and the noncompliance with accessibility and walkability requirements. These findings lead to the conclusion that the construction of urban spaces that meet the human right of access with quality and comfort is the responsibility of the State, through regulation and supervision, but also depends on the technical awareness of the architect and urban planner at the moment of conception.