Design For Dignity
Retail Guidelines
The ABS Survey of Ageing Disability and Carers report of 2012 states that there are 42,000 motorised scooter users in Australia. The current Australian Standard minimum turning spaces specifically exclude mobility scooters in their considerations.
The minimum standards (AS 1428.1) state that space that should be allowed for person using a wheelchair to turn their wheelchair around is 2070mm by 1540mm. This is based on the assumption that 80 percent of wheelchairs have a footprint of 1250mm by 740mm (including the person) and that 90 percent of wheelchairs have a footprint of 1300mm by 800mm. This allows someone 10cm of space to turn around on each side.
The ‘enhanced standard’ AS 1428.2 suggested a larger turning circle of 2250mm by 2250mm. This allows more space for people to turn around. This is much more dignified than a “ten-point turn” when trying to change direction.
We saw earlier that in 2012 there were 42,000 mobility scooters in Australia compared to 164,000 wheelchairs (manual and electric). The hidden wave of customers in these statistics is the 310,000 walking stick or crutch users and 275,000 walking frame users. It is entirely possible that the growth in mobility scooters in coming years will be significant.
Mobility Scooters come in a vast range of styles but cannot achieve the same “turn on the spot” performance of most manual wheelchairs. As a result, the turning circles are much larger. Larger mobility scooters cannot even turn in the ‘enhanced standard’ circulation space.
Mobility scooter use has already started to create issues as users come into contact with retail and hospitality venues that are not built to cope with their size or lack of manoeuvrability. The Australian Human Rights Commission*https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/projects/mobility-scooters-registered-clubs
Viewed September 2016 and the RSL & Services Clubs Association Limited NSW produced a paper outlining the rights and obligations of hotels as well as scooter users as a result of the difficulties many hotels and users were having with access. The guidance is not binding but provides some useful insights for clubs on how to better accommodate patrons with mobility scooters including signage, parking, and providing clear space around fixtures and fittings. The paper mostly pushes responsibility back onto mobility scooter manufacturers rather than suggesting that design standards could be better.
“It would also be in the interests of all manufacturers and retailers of scooters to alert purchasers to the restrictions on the use of scooters on public transport and in public buildings.”