Physical Access For Persons With Disability In Rented Compound Houses In Kumasi: Evidence From Selected Neighbourhoods In The Metropolis

Per local legislations in Ghana and international conventions protecting the rights of persons with disability (PWDs), accessibility to public places and services is a guaranteed right. Persons and institutions that provide service to the general public are mandated to provide facilities that make the service available to PWDs. However, several studies have argued that most of the buildings of public institutions, including those who provide educational and legal service, remain inaccessible to PWDs. With a year to go on the 10-year moratorium set by the PWD Act 2006 (Act 715) for all to comply, this research examines the level of accessibility of compound houses in Kumasi, which constitutes the majority of housing type in Ghana. The study also examines the reasons for landlords’ inability to comply with the accessibility provisions of Act 715. We adopt a stratified random sampling technique to select a total of 120 compound houses and landlords from three neighbourhoods in Kumasi. Through interviews and observations, we observe that more than 90 per cent of compound houses are not accessible to mobility impaired PWDs. All changes in floor level, in and out of the houses, are accessible by stairs only. None of the houses had a ramp; staircases were either too steep, had uneven steps or unrounded nosing; and doors had no kick plate. Lack of awareness of the law, financial constraint and the negative societal perception of PWDs among others are the reasons for landlords’ inability to comply with Act 715. It is recommended that accessibility guidelines that specify the level of access for PWDs should be enacted and also that government applies sanctions to non-conforming landlords to ensure a barrier free environment for all. The National Building Regulations 1996 (L.I. 1630) should be amended and improved at least to cater to the needs of PWDs in new rental housing facilities.