Barriers in the built environment: The problems of barrier removal
in the Czech Republic
Miloslav Maxa., Czechoslovak Building Centre Prague, Czech Republic
Foreword
Both organizational and expert activity depends on personal initiative and
the interest of a small group of enthusiasts affiliated with the Association
of Disabled People in Prague. But as it turned out from the experience,
even this Association shows no interest in this sphere of activity. This
painful statement is even more embarrassing by the fact that neither state
authorities paid any attention to this problem other than to pass Decree
Nr. 53/1985, the fulfilment of which it did not control in any way, and
with a small subsidy to promote products and materials for constructions
designated for persons who are disabled. This situation has not even changed
since the revolution in November 1989.
I have been engaged in the Central Commission for Environment for Disabled
People in the Czech Republic in Prague since its foundation (1986) and was
the main expert in the sphere of building products for construction designated
for persons with disabilities and thus I have gained a lot of true and objective
experience
Activity of the Commission - UKZP ZP
This Commission was established on the basis of Decree Nr. 53/1985 under
theformer Union of Disabled People in the Czech Republic. Today it is called
the Association of Disabled People in the Czech Republic, represented by
a range of volunteers - specialists not paid for their activity. Without
any implementation instruments the Commission substitutes the activity falling
under the competence of state which showed no activity in the past and does
not seem to intend to show any even now. Staff responsible for this area
at the respective Ministries do not know what such an activity represents
and thus have no interest in arranging anything.
By the end of June, 1991, the Governmental Committee for Disabled People
in the Czech Republic was established under the chairmanship of the Prime-Minister
of the Czech Republic, Petr Pithart; perhaps there is hope that improvement
will soon come.
Main tasks and objectives of the Commission
Legislation
The Commission is to enforce Decree Nr. 53/1985 at the stage of preparatory
works and design solution of the construction. Starting from the construction
up to the final approval, the control is not provided because of the lack
of manpower. The Commission is also responsible for initiating legislative
amendments to the existing legal regulations, enforcing of modifications
of Czechoslovak standards and other building regulations of relevance to
persons with disabilities.
Housing
The Commission is to enforce barrier-free housing construction for disabled
people in different regions. This task includes cooperation with the respective
authorities including such aspects as apartment distribution, booking and
usability. Consultancy activity is regularly provided in all regions in
the presence of professional consultants giving their statements on individual
projects. On the basis of these statements regional commissions for environment
of disabled people should control the requirement of barrier-free construction.
Barrier-free construction should be visibly marked by internationally agreed
upon symbols for access.
Materials and products
During the construction phase the Commission is responsible for providing
active help and cooperation in searching for the necessary products, identifying
the producers of selected products and equipment such as lifting devices,
furniture, fittings etc. These products are not tested.
Promotion and publicity
The Commission engages in arranging and organizing professional meetings
(seminars, symposia, lectures, congresses etc.) on specific subjects. Publishing
activity is limited by the means available, i.e., it consists in issuing
of annotations, research studies, specialized articles and even in assistance
in compiling the catalogue of products for barrier-free constructions and
in issuing the specialized publication "Barrier-free construction"
which is currently in press.
In conclusion, it is necessary to point out that the Central Commission
is represented by the chairmen of regional commissions (former counties)
and by other specialists, e.g. for products, transport, etc. Experience
has shown that this Commission is of high professional level, represented
mostly by university graduates. Existential problems of the Commission are
considered to be temporary as we hope that Government and Ministries will
become aware of these problems before they themselves need wheelchairs.
