Sanitary installations, equipment and circulation areas in hospitals:adaptations for the physically disabled people

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to verify if the hospitals located in Sobral-CE, Brazil present adequate sanitary installations, spaces in lecture halls, elevators, escape routes and parking places for people with physical impairments. It was based on NBR 9050 by the ABNT with a checklist instrument. The data was collected in May 2004. The sample consisted of the four existing hospitals. Two hospitals have sanitary installations with adapted sanitary apparatus and sink. None of them contain accessible dressing rooms or toilets. There are neither elevators, escaping routes, reserved parking spaced, nor accessibility signs. Thus, the need is evidenced to comply with legal standards in order to achieve accessibility for people with physical impairments.