Design computer laboratory friendly for disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study is as a preliminary study to determine the availability of computer laboratory facilities and computer laboratory designs available at vocational high schools whether they have understood the students with physical disabilities, then from the findings obtained will be made a computer laboratory building design that is friendly to students people with disabilities. Data collection uses observation and semi-structured interviews. The researcher interviewed several teachers in vocational high schools to explore information about the availability of facilities and supporting infrastructure in schools for people with physical disabilities especially in computer laboratories. The researcher also interviewed two special school teachers to explore information about the needs of facilities and infrastructure for people with physical disabilities, their experiences while observing and doing activities with students with disabilities. The results of this study indicate the unavailability of friendly infrastructure facilities for people with disabilities, especially computer laboratories in vocational high schools, also found several barriers and expectations about the future design of computer laboratories. The conclusion from this study recommends that schools make improvements and additions to facilities that support students with disabilities, especially those who have physical disabilities, so that they can carry out activities like normal students when accessing facilities and infrastructure at school.