Enhancing Educational Environments: Retrofitting for Improved Accessibility and Inclusion of Person with disabilities (PWDs) in Schools

Abstract

Accessibility and inclusion of Persons with disabilities (PWDs) is an essential requirement in every school building. This is in line with the latest amendments to Uniform Building By-Laws 2022 gazetted by the Sabah Local Government, and Malaysian Standard (MS). All public buildings including schools, were made compulsory to provide accessibility and inclusion of Persons with disabilities (PWDs). A lack of accessibility contributed to dull educational environments for teachers and students. The aim of this research is to develope a framework for enhancing educational environments for retrofitting existing schools. Research method employed for this study is data collection from questionnaire gathered from the overall school’s plan layout with building retrofit of Universal Design (UD) elements and access audit for star rating compliance with inclusive design assessment. It is also an opportunity to identify any issues with school constraints that make it difficult to meet the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) requirements through the focus group access audit group. Research finding shows that less building retrofit elements been built according to the Malaysian Standards (MS) to schools in Kota Kinabalu. In conclusion, all existing and current-use schools are deserved to be retrofitted with quality Universal Design (UD) elements such as ramps, handrails, disabled car parks, covered walkways, signage, wayfinding, lift, disabled-toilet, etc. Thus, the level of accessibility can be achieved with satisfaction and equivalency to Malaysian Standard through the introducing of framework for enhancing educational environments of retrofitting Inclusive design for PWDs.