Adopting user-centered design for the translating of barrier-free design codes/regulations

Abstract

Over the past few decades, barrier-free design codes/regulations have been integrated into many countries' national regulations. The existing guidelines, however, have been criticized for being too abstruse and professional for practical use by the general public. As a result, the aim of this research is to analyse the existing presentation of building codes and barrier-free design regulations, including the full variety of characteristics, behaviors and requirements, and identities of environments in order to translate the information within barrier-free design codes/regulations into suitable presentations that match the users' requirements and special needs. In addition, suggestions for the presentation of codes/regulations are provided in this study. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.