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The complete information source on the accessibility of public buildings

 

The Passe-partout® index (go everywhere Index) is the result of an extensive analysis of the accessibility of buildings taking into account the various needs of the different disabled groups. Up to now, only a single sign has been used to flag the accessibility of public buildings. It is usually posted –or not- on the building, or misleading. Moreover, this logo is unsuitable since it does not properly sum-up all of the relevant information required by the different disability groups.

To remedy this situation, GAMAH (Action group for a better accessibility of the disabled), an association from the Walloon province in Belgium, has developed (within the framework of an agreement with Thierry Detienne, the Walloon Minister of social affairs) a unique method allowing for the detailed analysis of building accessibility according to 6 categories of handicap. A suite of 6 digits represents these categories. These categories and digits form the Passe-partout® Index (IPP).
Index code

The three first categories (three first digits) are for persons with motor disabilities:
1) Person in wheelchair who can get about alone
2) Person in wheelchair who needs assistance to move along
3) Pedestrian who has difficulty to getting around and needs sticks, crutches, wears prosthesis or has a walker
The two following categories (fourth and fifth digits) concern sensory-motor handicapped:
4) Blind or partially sighted person.
5) Deaf or partially deaf person.

The last category (last digit) is for “frail persons”:
6) Feeble person, person suffering from rheumatism, with a heart condition, asthmatic, carrying heavy bags, very tall or small, mentally handicapped, or smply senior citizens

Objectives
obviously, in order to determine an index; an extensive analysis of visited buildings is required.
This analysis is meticulously conducted for each of the selected criteria of the 6 categories. Collected data (measurements, pictures, detailed notes …) are then gathered in a comprehensive file.
The aim is not just to draw up a report, but clearly to make public buildings more accessible.

In giving an objective grade, the IPP brings value and intends to:
1) Do whatever is best to inform persons with restricted mobility. Thanks to IPP, they have a precise idea of the accessibility of a building according to their handicap.
2) Give an incentive to owners to upgrade building accessibility.

After accessibility analysis and grading, the file is sent to the building’s owner. The latter can therefore become aware of the degree of accessibility of his property, but also of possible upgrade improvements which will get him a better mark. Sometimes, simple low-cost modifications can significantly improve building accessibility. In no event should IPP be viewed as a simple report of poor accessibility; it must be perceived as an incentive for access improvements.

In the field
In 2001, still within the framework of an agreement with the Minister of social affairs, Thierry Detienne, GAMAH analyzed -thanks to the Indice Passe-Partout® methodology- the accessibility of about sixty buildings opened to the public in fifteen cities spread-out all over Walloon province. For each city, four types of buildings were surveyed: a city hall (or administrative building), a mall (or post office), a theatre or stadium and a medical center. This allowed for the drawing of a preliminary accessibility map of these types of places in the Walloon region. In 2002, about 350 public buildings were analyzed with the same methodology. Among them, about sixty were quoted in the 2002 catalogue of the Heritage Days.(Classified as historical landmarks)

Conclusion
As it grows and becomes more widespread, the Passe-Partout® Index will finally open new opportunities for the disabled or less mobile to get around, to have new activities and consequently to completely change the life quality of persons with restricted mobility.
In surveying a maximum of buildings, the objective is not to direct disabled persons to the sole accessible buildings, but to truly give them the broadest possible picture of what is accessible, fairly accessible, or not accessible at all.

This is a major initiative that finally offers free choice and thus actively promotes integration.

Project contact
Mr. Jean Luc Bastin
Phone: 00 32 (81) 633 722 bastinjlcl@skynet.be

Liens Internet

www.gamah.be site de l’association Gamah à l’origine de l'Indice Passe-Partout®
www.ipp-online.org tout sur l’indice et les études déjà réalisées

www.argos.asso.fr site regroupant plusieurs associations liées au handicap
www.2003enwallonie.be site officiel année européenne des handicapés - Région Wallone