A Critical analysis of selected regulatory provisions for persons with disabilities in the built environment with special reference to Sri Lankan situation

Abstract

Architecture is the thoughtful structuring of places to inhabit. It is to create an environment that will generate a particular activity pattern required by a set of users to achieve their goals. Any conscious change in the environment with or without a built structure, which leads to man's physical and psychological well being may termed as "Architecture". "Architecture is the process and the product of human habitation. It is the only art that caters to physical needs- shelter and bodily comfort. It is the only art that encompasses all his psychological needs, privacy, security, identity, aspirations, self expression".(Habraken, 1985)Architecture is primarily a spatial experience. It incorporates all other arts in presenting this experience: the rhythm of music, the movement of drama. It differs from all other arts in the way it presents its experience. As Meiss (1990) points out music, drama, painting, sculpture also have their spatiality, but it is defined from exterior, offering only the possibility of mental presentation. Architecture is the art of hollows; it is defined both from the interior and from the exterior; walls have two sides. One penetrates it with one's mind as well as body. Every person is sensitive (in varying degrees) to the built environment he lives in. He creates it, modifies it and changes it constantly. The built setting, too, modifies him, changes him, their behavior. It can be life suppressing or even crushing. It can be life enhancing and mind purifying too. This is a reciprocal process, the end result being essentially a change in man. But what kind of changes does it makes in him? As Christoper Day (1990) points out, built environment is potentially a dangerous tool. It can be used to manipulate people. It can make people feel ill. Therefore the purpose of Architecture is to create a space, psychologically and functionally conductive. Development of whole person physically, mentally, emotionally is the areas that an architect fulfills his user. Architecture brings out the vital relationship between man and the built environment. If the relationship is ill matched, it could have ill effects on the user. It could nnoy and irritate the user all the time. Nature has been created impartially to every body, but man has created partially among himself by constructing buildings, roads, houses without considering the disability, that may occur to any body at any time, Disability is a subject, we are slowly beginning to face. No population is exempt from disablement. Every one is at risk, all the time. Any person can become disable during his or life time. With the development of modern technology, it was anticipated that the number of disabled persons would decrease, but unfortunately it is on the verge of increasing. For example war, drug and chemical fire arms, industrial hazards can be considered. A study done recently estimate that some 8.5 million disabled persons are added annually to the global figure or 23200 a day. Unfortunately this population is so helpless. They need opportunities to participate in the busy life of the world, to be involved to do the same sort of things that other people do.