Methodology for ‘reasonable adjustment’ characterisation in small establishments to meet accessibility requirements: A challenge for active ageing and inclusive cities. Case study of Madrid

Abstract

Access to and use of the built environment is a basic human right, recognised globally in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a fundamental objective in an increasingly ageing society. Spanish legislation, acknowledging that challenge, has mandated built environment accessibility ‘subject to reasonable adjustment’.This paper formulates a methodology to assist policy makers and urban planning authorities to clarify what, in the context of small establishments, is meant by reasonable adjustment which, further to international policy recommendations, is a strategy implemented by public authorities to enforce accessibility requirements as opposed to privately instituted litigation. Unlike other contributions, the new methodology proposes characterising statutory reasonable adjustment on the grounds of an analysis of municipal records (120 dossiers for Madrid and metropolitan area) and the variables associated with the term. The results included flexibility requirements, accessibility adjustments, economic viability by activity involved and factors affecting overall accessibility.Research has confirmed that regulatory development, urban planning and enforcement by public authorities favour improvements in accessibility. The difficulties involved in complying with requirements revolve around wheelchair users, even today. In the present case study, investments in accessibility comprised about 0.5% of property values.