1. Water Engineering
and Development Centre
‘Access for All’ Study:
Designing water & sanitation
to improve accessibility for
disabled people & other
vulnerable groups

2. Terms of Reference
Objectives
• To identify ways to ensure that access
needs of disabled people are
considered in domestic water and
sanitation (WATSAN) provision in
tsunami-affected areas in Sri Lanka.
• To explore opportunities for
collaboration between local agencies
in Sri Lanka in promoting accessible
domestic WATSAN provision.

3. Terms of Reference
• Understand the situation regarding
access to domestic WATSAN for
disabled people, particularly in
tsunami-affected areas.
• Advise on ways to ensure that
domestic WATSAN provision
considers access for disabled people.
• Discuss opportunities for future
collaboration to promote improved
access to domestic WATSAN for
disabled people.

4. Activities
• Meetings with key stakeholders,
including relevant government
agencies, NGOs, in both WATSAN &
disability sectors;
• Field-visit to tsunami-affected area
(Batticaloa) to meet implementing
agencies, disabled people, observe
current conditions;
• Feedback & discussion on findings
and recommendations;
• Produce a report for ‘Access for All’
Consortium.

5. Accessibility – why
bother?
• Help achieve poverty
reduction targets – MDGs
• Cost-effectiveness
• Inclusive facilities benefit the
whole community
• Disability is a gender issue
• Water is a human rights
issue

6. Main findings
• Social stigma, overprotection by families, lack of physical
accessibility, lack of rights opportunities, information 
disabled people not visible
• Few disabled people in camps –
– Staying with relatives
– Left camps because toilets & bathing facilities inaccessible
– Lost mobility aids
• Disabled & elderly people need a lot of support to use
toilets & water facilities
• Negative impact on whole family – increased workload,
especially for women
• WATSAN agencies have paid little attention to disability
– lack of information, training, experience, never thought
of it…

7. Problems - rough paths,
long
distances

8. High steps & thresholds…

9. Narrow entrances

10. On the positive side…
• WATSAN sector agencies
interested, responsive, recognise
need;
• Many focus on ‘socially
vulnerable’ groups - some
specifically mention disabled
people;
• Examples of designs adapted in
consultation with women – could
be built on to include disabled &

11. Example: designing for
women and children

12. What needs to be done…
Long-term reconstruction:
• Toilets, bathrooms, water points
in public facilities, e.g. schools,
clinics, hospitals, etc.
– incorporate accessibility at planning
& design stage (minimal extra cost)
• Accessibility Guidelines available
(international standards).

13. What needs to be done…
(2)
Long-term reconstruction: Permanent
housing
• Ideal – incorporate accessibility in all
housing at planning & design stage
(minimal extra cost);
• Identify families with disabled/elderly
members - consult on individual needs;
• Share information on possible
accessibility options (WEDC
publication).

14. What needs to be done…
(3)
Short-term - transitional camps:
• Prioritise families with
disabled/elderly members – locate
near to toilets, water & bathing
facilities;
• Make one toilet in a block
accessible
• Share information on individual
aids and options for adaptations.

15. • Getting there

16. • Getting there

17. • Getting there
• Support rails

18. • Getting there
• Support rails

19. • Thresholds
• Minimise • Level platform in
difference in front of door
levels

20. • Handpump aprons
• Way to avoid
getting on a
slippery apron

21. • Seating
• Low sitting platform

22. • Internal dimensions
Space for
• wheelchair to
enter & turn,
• user + helper
• to move a
seat to one
side

23. • Support rails
• Fixed to wall (wall
must be strong
enough)

24. • More support
• Rope for support
• Movable frame

25. • Fixed raised seats
• Brick seat • Twin sitting
blocks

26. • Movable seats

27. • Movable seats

28. • Internal water source
• Water jar beside latrine

29. • Internal water source
• Gravity
fed
water
supply

30. Suggestions for starting
points - WATSAN sector
• Appoint a focus person on
accessibility/ inclusion issues;
• Make contact with disability agencies,
to:
– exchange information and views;
– consult on project design, technology
options, staff training…;
– accessibility ‘audit’ of a project or facility;
– pilot technology options;
– develop local resources, booklets, training
materials, guidelines.

31. Suggestions for starting
points - disability sector
• Form alliances, e.g. with agencies
working with the elderly, children,
women, etc.
• Disseminate information, provide
technical advice for WATSAN
implementing agencies;
• Collaborate with WATSAN sector to
develop pilot/ action-research projects;
• Develop examples of good practice to
show what is possible.

32. Further information
• Access for All Consortium –
Accessibility Guidelines.
• WEDC – Designing water &
sanitation for disabled people and
other vulnerable groups - resource
book – due out shortly.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/wedc/
projects/auwsfpdp
H.E.Jones2@lboro.ac.uk

33. www.lboro.ac.uk/wedc/projects/auwsfp
dp