An Empirical Study of Accessibility to Multi-shopping Mall for The Mobility Impaired

Abstract

The aim of this research is to provide empirical evidence for accessibility to commercial spaces for the mobility impaired. To be specific, field study and experimental study on stroller and wheelchair users’ access to major facilities of multi-shopping mall through public transportation were conducted. The study methods are as follows: first, this study investigates legal compliance of facilities for the mobility impaired, based on a field investigation; second, this study examines the practical usability of the relevant facilities for ordinary persons, stroller users and hand-operated wheelchair users respectively. The study results are as follows: first, convenience facility installation manuals for the disability and universal design guidelines were relatively well applied to multi-shopping facilities; second, it was empirically proven that although it was not impossible for the mobility impaired to approach multi-commercial facilities, it was very inconvenient and unreasonable. The mobility impaired had poor travel distances and travel times, compared to ordinary persons; third, in relation to access to multi-shopping mall, there was a lack of practical considerations for stroller users. In addition, there were many studies and regulations for wheelchair users, but stroller users are in the blind spot and many users must endure the irrationality.