ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT

REPORT OF PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE IN
FEDERAL CAPITAL
TERRITORY, ABUJA

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, our thanks goes to God Almighty who has given us all it takes to carry out
this audit. Our special thanks goes to Disability Right Fund (DRF) for their support to carry out
the project. We also appreciate all persons with disability in Nigeria especially the Blind cluster
for being there for us whenever we call.

Our immense thanks goes to other Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Disabled
Persons Organizations (DPOs) who are working in the developmental sector in Nigeria. Also not
forgetting the Project and audit teams for their efforts towards the realization of this project.
Special thanks goes to Nigeria Association of the Blind FCT Chapter (NABFCT) for being there all
the time in the course of the project. Finally, we remain grateful to Barrister Theophilus
Odaudu who is the DRF Country Program Officer for always giving advice whenever the need
arises.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgment
Acronyms
Executive Summary
CHAPTER ONE:
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Background
1.3. Legal framework
1.4. Accessibility and Universal Design
CHAPTER TWO
2.0. Methodology
2.1. Purpose
2.2. Sampling
2.3. Scope of Study
CHAPTER THREE
3.0. Data Representation
3.1. Key findings
3.2. Experience in accessing Public Infrastructure

4.0. CHAPTER FOUR:

4.1. Conclusion
4.2. Recommendations
References
Annexes

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ACRONYMS
BRTS Bus Rapid Transit System
CCD Center for Citizens with Disabilities
DRAC Disability Rights Advocacy Center
FCT Federal Capital Territory
GBD Global Burden of Disease
MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies
NAB- FCT Nigeria Association of the Blind, Federal Capital Territory Chapter.
PWDs Persons with Disabilities
UNCRPD United Nations on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
WHO World Health Organisation

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approximately 15% of the world’s population, over a billion people, have some form of
disability. Within the adult population (>15 years old), in Nigeria that is over 25 million persons.
the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimates 975 million persons with a disabilities, and 190
million with a severe disability, such as quadriplegia, severe depression or blindness.
Disability is not just an issue of a small minority within the general population; there is a much
larger population affected, constrained or limited due to commitments to persons with disabilities
who might their partner, family members or caregivers of person with disabilities.
The findings of this study underline the important message that more needs to be done if persons
with disabilities will have better socio-economic outcomes. Actions such as enacting legislation
aimed at improving the accessibility of transport and associated public realm infrastructure in
isolation may not achieve the desired improvements in accessibility but working with persons
with disabilities to ensure the concept of “Nothing about us without us”.
Nigeria Association of the Blind, FCT Chapter with support from Disability Rights Funds
conducted this audit to understand level of access to public infrastructure to persons with
disabilities and their experiences in accessing opportunities.
Qualitative research method and approaches such as observation, interviews, and on-the-spot assessment
were used in data collection. The interview questions asked were related to physical/environmental,
attitudinal and institutional factors that pose as barriers that to persons with disabilities in accessing socio-
economic opportunities.
A total number of 10 public infrastructure were assessed cutting across, education, transportation and
MDAs. Findings highlighted that in all the audited facilities, communications of persons with disabilities
were not addressed, and there are no disability friendly policies. This highlights the extent to which
persons with disabilities are often excluded in program and opportunities that will benefit them.

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 CHAPTER ONE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
The World Bank and WHO report on disability confirms that across the world, people with
disabilities have poorer health outcomes, lower education achievements, less economic
participation and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. While this is partly
because people with disabilities experience barriers in accessing public infrastructure that wider
society takes for granted, these difficulties are exacerbated in less advantaged communities.
The UN estimates that between 6% and 10% of people in developing countries experience a
disability – equivalent to some 400 million people worldwide (UN Enable, 2011). In developing
countries disabled people are more likely to be among the poor, as exclusion from economic,
education and healthcare opportunities due to difficulties in travelling around often prevents
disabled people from breaking out of poverty. This applies to people who experience any of the
range of physical, sensory, psychosocial, neurological, medical or intellectual impairments
included in the UN definition.
The lack of data on people with disabilities is severely constraining the ability of the
international community to monitor the situation of children, youths and adults with
disabilities. There has been insufficient attention to the need to collect data on disabilities and
link them to education outcomes, and even when collected, the scale of disabilities is often un-
reported. Societies’ misperception of different forms and types of disability has the limited
capacity of social actors to accommodate special needs often place these people on the margin.
Persons with disabilities experience inequalities in their daily lives, and have fewer opportunities
to access a quality education and employment that takes place in a truly inclusive environment.
In Nigeria, persons with disabilities face different kinds of discriminations and exclusion; key
amongst such challenges is inaccessible public infrastructure. Nigeria Association of the Blind
(NAB) FCT Chapter conducted this research with support from DRF to examine the level of
access to public infrastructure for persons with disabilities in the FCT such as schools,
transportation, government ministries, departments and agencies.
Without accessible public infrastructure, persons with disabilities are more likely to be excluded
from employment opportunities, education, and healthcare facilities, and to make social contact
that will improve their life.
1.2. Legal Framework
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and its Optional
Protocol, signed in May 2007, recognizes that barriers to indoor and outdoor facilities should be
removed to ensure equal access for all members of society; including people with disabilities.

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The CRPD provides a catalyst for international agencies and national governments including
Nigeria to improve the quality of public service provision for people with disabilities.
This research is hinged on article 9 of the CRPD which states that in order “to enable persons
with disabilities live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, state parties shall
take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities access on an equal basis with
others, the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications
technologies and systems, and other facilities and services open or provided to the public both in
urban and in rural areas”.
1.3. Accessibility and Universal Design
Accessibility is a precondition for persons with disabilities to live independently and achieve full
and equal participation in society. Without access to the physical environment, transportation,
information and communication, including information and communications technologies (ICTs)
and related systems, and other facilities and services open or provided to the public, persons with
disabilities do not have equal opportunities for participation in their respective societies. -
Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, Tenth session New York, 13-15 June 2017
The 2011 World Report on Disability states that universal design is the key to inclusion, and that
it is practical and affordable, even in developing countries. Put simply, universal design is design
of products and environments to be usable by people of all ages and abilities to the greatest
extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design (Mace, 2008).
Universal design can be applied to anything that is designed, be it a vehicle, building, website,
playground, piece of furniture, toilet, or a consumer product such as a tap handle.
Ensuring accessible solutions requires understanding of the issues and then creatively seek
solution that is technically, culturally and financially sustainable.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.0. METHODOLOGY
This research was conducted to examine the accessibility of public infrastructure to persons with
disabilities in the FCT. It employed open-ended questionnaires and a checklist that sought the
views of respondents. Primary and secondary data sources were used for the purpose of this
audit. The primary data instrument used were observation checklist, interviews and on-the-spot
assessment. The secondary data sources were; related publications, government policies and
international treaties and legislations.
The audit instrument looked at three parts – external environment, internal environment and
information and communication.
2.1. Purpose of Study
The purpose of this Accessibility Audit of public infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) to persons with disabilities is to:
 Evaluate the level of access to information, communication and physical environment
relating to the service being provided in the building being audited.
 Recommend ways to ensure improved access to public infrastructure for persons with
disabilities.

2.2. Study Scope

The audit was carried out in the FCT. A deliberate attempt was made to audit public
infrastructure where people access socio-economic opportunities to determine the extent to
which persons with disabilities can easily access and utilize the facilities.
Total of 10 public infrastructure in the FCT were audited. Below is a table showing the facilities
audited in the FCT, Abuja.
Table 1.
SCHOOLS MDAs TRANSPORTATION
School of Nursing and Head of Service IDU Metro Station
Midwifery, Gwagwalada
University of Abuja, Civil Service Commission God is Good
Gwagwalada
National Open University Ministry of Labour and ABC Transport Utako
Employment

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 FCDA

2.3. Sampling
Purposive sampling was used in this audit. The public infrastructure – Schools, Transportation,
Government Ministries and Parastatals - were purposely selected because of the role they play in
improving access to economic opportunities as well as ensuring that socialization and
participation of citizens. For instance, schools are where people go to get empowered to be able
to access the labour market. Transportation systems help people to move around from one
location to another in search of better livelihood and opportunities. Without accessible
transportation, people with disabilities are more likely to be excluded from independent access to
employment, education, and healthcare facilities, and to social contact and recreational activities
(Roberts & Babinard, 2005; Venter et al, 2004). Government Ministries, Departments and
Agencies (MDAs) audited are saddled with the responsibility of making appointments and
transfers.
Random sampling was done to cover the target population of persons with disabilities to get a
quick snapshot and broad-based view of their experiences in accessing public infrastructure.
These respondents were selected across different disability clusters with diverse backgrounds
and experiences, especially in relation to accessing socio-economic opportunities.

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 CHAPTER THREE
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

FCDA
Head of Service
Uni. of Abuja
GwagwaladaSchool of Nursing and

God is Good Motors

Idu Metro Station
EmploymentMin. of Labour &

UtakoABC Transport,
UniversityNational Open

CommissionCivil Service

TRANSPORTATION
SCHOOLS

Midwifery

MDA

EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
Parking lot and drop offs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Accessible pathway 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
Accessible entrance and 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
approach
Doors and doorways 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0

Stairs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - -
Elevators / lifts - - 0 0 0 0 - 0 - -
Reception / information - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
desk
Accessible toilets and 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
restrooms
EVALUATION OF SERVICE
Disability-friendly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
policies and procedures
Disability Desk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trained staff on 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
disability inclusion
Communication Needs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3.0. DATA PRESENTATION
Table 2

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 Key
Accessible Inaccessible Not Required
1 0 -

3.1. KEY FINDINGS

Infrastructure is designed to support society and help enable improved quality of life, however,
from the table above, it can be seen clearly the level of exclusion persons with disabilities face in
accessing public infrastructure on an equal basis with others.
Findings form the audit shows that none of the facilities audited had accessible parking spaces
reserved for persons with disabilities and Only 2 out of the 10 facilities had an accessible
pathway. It is important to note that when infrastructure is inaccessible in any aspect, it can
exclude individuals or groups from society, degrading quality of life and human rights.

Entrances leading to most of the facilities had slippery stairs without an alternative accessible
entrance/route of travel. The stairs and floor surfaces next to entrances, internal doors, ramps, stairs
and other unavoidable permanent fixtures in the circulation route (such as pillars and lobby centre
pieces) had no color contrast from the rest of the surrounding areas, making it difficult distinguish

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between features especially for persons with visual impairment. Some of the facilities had ramps
with potholes and without a level landing for person using wheelchairs or crutches.
External and internal environment of all the schools audited are not accessible to persons with
disabilities. This portrays the extent to which person with disabilities are excluded from programs
and opportunities that will benefit them.
Reception / information desk spaces in audited facilities are not accessible, there were obstacles at
the entrance lobby and the counters is too high especially for persons using wheelchair.
All the restrooms in the audited facilities are not accessible to persons with disabilities, the doors
and door way of the restrooms are too narrow for person using wheelchair to pass through the
lavatory door and in the lavatory there are no grab bars to be able to transfer from the wheelchair to
the toilet.

Findings showed that facilities needed by the persons with disabilities to aid communication and
easy participation such as audio communications, tactile marking, sign language interpreter, and

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handrails are all absent in all audited infrastructure, making it unfriendly for them to access services
the infrastructure offered. More so, none of the infrastructure had a regulatory framework to define
accessibility requirements, no disability-friendly policies and staff are not trained on disability
inclusion.
3.2. Experience in accessing Public Infrastructure

Infrastructure is designed to a society, if a person without disability experience inaccessibility issue,

for persons with disabilities it is more worse as it hinders them from enjoying, social, political and
economic rights.
Most of the respondents interviewed highlighted discrimination as one of the major challenges they
face in accessing economic opportunities. Others stated that inaccessible public infrastructure is the
major challenge they experience in accessing opportunities that will improve their socio-economic
status.
Some of the persons with hearing impairment explained that they have difficulties access job
opportunities due to communication barrier in the facilities. sign language interpreters in
government MDAs.
When asked how many of them have accessed government economic interventions, the participants
explained that due to lack of inclusive information about these programs, they are not able to know
when these programs are advertised. “Government programs are constantly excluding persons with
disabilities because in situations where one has to go into their office to pick their forms or show
interest for the program, these offices are not accessible” Oyiba, Stated.
One of the participants who is a woman with visual impairment narrated the difficulty she
encountered in tertiary institution and she was asked severally to withdraw because “the university
is not a special school” each time she complains about the level of exclusion in the school. “The
difficulty was so much that I almost dropped out of school, I finally managed to graduate with a 3 rd
class honor”.
It was also highlighted that the public buildings have lifts that are not working and persons with
disabilities who work in such buildings are forced to stop work or struggle to climb flights of stairs
to get to their offices or access any service. One of the respondents stated that “I have been asked
severally to quit my job and stop stressing myself because of the pain I experience using crutches to
climb the steps to my office which is in the 5th floor”

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 CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Conclusion
One common way that accessibility can be achieved is through the domestication of international
treaties and implementation of national laws or decrees. These typically articulate a nation
state’s requirements in terms of what stakeholders can do to achieve desirable improvement of
accessibility.
The most important universal design innovation is the low-floor transit vehicle which is adopted
for train and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, providing almost-level access from curbs and
short-ramp access from street level. There is a growing global trend for the introduction of low-
floor buses into bus rapid transit systems. have been constructed in Curitiba (Brazil); Bogota
(Colombia); Quito (Ecuador); Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Pune, Indore and Jaipur, etc. (India); Dar
es Salaam (Tanzania). Developing campaigns and educational programmes to improve policies,
practices and the use of services.
4.1. Recommendations
 Resources are often not allocated separately for accessibility requirements during planning,
creating issues for project design and implementation and leading to potential compromises
in quality and quantity. It is essential that universal accessibility is not seen as an optional
extra, but that costs to achieve it are included from the outset
 Implementation and domestication of national and international laws will have a tangible
impact lives of persons with disabilities.
 There is need to mainstream accessibility and promote independence for both persons with
disabilities through institutionalizing disability-friendly policies and ensuring that staff are
trained on disability inclusion.

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 References
UN Enable, 2011
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007)
Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, Tenth session New York, 13-15 June 2017
World Report on Disability (2011)
Specialized design (Mace, 2008).
Roberts & Babinard, 2005
Venter et al, 2004

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 ANNEX 1
ACCESSIBLITY AUDIT CHECKLIST
EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
1.PARKING AND DROP-OFFS
No. Question Answer Comments/Recommendation
Yes No
1a. Is there a parking lot available for visitors and
staff?
1b. Are there accessible parking spaces reserved for
persons with disabilities? If yes,
How many spaces are reserved?
Is the size of the bay 142 x 236-inch? or 8 feet
wide
Are the accessible spaces located within 20-inch
from the accessible entrance?
Are accessible spaces marked with the
international symbol of accessibility?
Is there enforcement procedure to ensure rightful
use of the space?
Is there tactile floor guidance in the parking area
for independent mobility for persons with
blindness and low vision. Specifically, routes
guiding from parking area to entry points of
buildings, emergency exits.
2. ACCESSIBLE PATHWAY
No. Question Answer Comment/Recommendation
. Yes No
2a Is there a path that does not require the use of
stairs?
Is the pathway stable, firm and slip-resistant?
Is the pathway at least 36 inches wide?
Is the pathway free from obstacle or barriers?
Is there a directional, hazard warning and
positional tiles provided for independent
navigation?
Are all public spaces on an accessible path of
travel?
Is there adequate artificial light on the path after
sunset?

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

3. ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE/APPROACH

No. Question Answer Comment/Recommendation

Yes No
3a. If there are stairs at the main entrance, is there
also a ramp or lift, or is there an alternative
accessible entrance?

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 Does the accessible entrance provide direct
access to the main floor, lobby, or elevator?
Do all inaccessible entrance have accessible
identification signage to identify the accessible
entrance?
Does the entrance door have at least 32 inches
clear opening?
Is the door handle no higher than 48 inches and
can be operated with a close fist?
Is there a 5-foot circle or a T-shaped space for a
person using a wheelchair to reverse direction?
4. DOORS AND DOORWAYS
No. Question Answer Comment/Recommendation
Yes No
Do doors have at least 32-inch clear opening?
Can the doors be opened without force?
Do doors have a lever type handle and not a
knob type handle?
Is there adequate space at least 18 inches clear
wall space available to open the door even by a
wheelchair user?
5. STAIRS
No. Question Answer Comment / Recommendation
Yes No
Do treads have a non-slip surface?
Do stairs have a continuous handrail on both
sides?
Is there a colour contrasting strip at the edge of
the steps
Are steps uniform in width and height?
Are the stairs continuous without any abrupt
breaks and gaps?
6. RAMP
No. Questions Answer Comment / Recommendation
Yes No
Is a ramp provided as an alternate route to the
stairs?
Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1:12?
Are ramps non-slip
Do all ramps longer than 6 feet have railings on
both sides?
Is there a level landing provided at specified
internals and at the beginning and end of the
ramp
Does ramp rise no more than 30 inches between

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 landing?
7. ELEVATOR/LIFT
No. Question Answer
Yes No Comment / Recommendation
Is there an elevator that connects all floor of the
building?
Is there at least 30 by 48 inches of clear space
for a person in a wheelchair to approach to
reach the controls and use the lift
Are lift controls between 15 and 48-inch high?
Does the elevator have a visual and an audio
floor announcement system?
Are the call buttons self-illuminating and in
raised numbers and Braille?
Are the elevator call buttons and floor numbers
outside the lift on each floor in Braille and
Raised Lettering?
Is the door opening/closing time at least 30
seconds?
There is no level difference between the landing
and the lift?
8. RECEPTION / INFORMATION DESK
No. Question Answer Comment / Recommendation
Yes No
Is the reception counter identifiable from the
entrance?
Is there 35inches wide and 35inches deep clear
space in front of the reception counter to allow
for manoeuvring wheelchairs?
Does the counter contrast in colour with the
background wall and the floor?
Is the counter-top adequately illuminated to
enable lip reading?
Is the counter surface non-reflective?
In case of glass empaneled receptions is there a
microphone/intercom that is used by the
receptionist?
Is printed information available in accessible
alternate formats?
Can any of the staff communicate in sign
language?
Does staff policy require the staff to assist
people with disabilities in filling forms if
required?
9. ACCESSIBLE TOILET/REST ROOM
No. Question Answer Comment / Recommendation
Yes No
If toilets are available to public, is at least one

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 rest room (either one for each sex or unisex)
fully accessible?
Are they present in all floors of the building?
Is there a 30-inch-wide by 48-inch-deep clear
space in front?
Is the seat height of the WC 18-inch?
Lever type flush control is installed at a height
of 29-inch from the floor surface,
Is there a horizontal grab bar installed on the
adjacent wall, at a height of 8-inch from the WC
seat?
Are soap and other dispensers and hand dryers
within reach ranges and usable with one closed
fist?
Is the mirror mounted in an accessible height?

ANNEX 2

ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT GUIDE: EVALUATING ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES

My name is …………., I am from Nigeria Association of Blind, FCT Chapter (NAB-FCT). NAB primary aim is to
achieve better living conditions for persons with disabilities especially the blind and visually impaired persons
resident in Nigeria. NAB-FCT wants to conduct an accessibility audit of your facility to determine the level of
access to persons with disabilities. This means understanding to what extent a blind, deaf persons and wheelchair
users can easily access your facilities. This process will involve taking measurement and pictures.

Please note that all information provided will be treated with confidentiality. If you have any queries you can
contact: Obinna Ekujereonye on 08035171770

EVALUATION OF SERVICE
No. Question Answer Comment/recommendation
Yes No
1. Is disability sensitization sessions part of the staff
induction programme?
2. Are staff trained to assist persons with disabilities,
including persons with learning disabilities?
3. Is there a procedure for a client with disabilities to
lodge a complaint or make suggestions?
4. Does the organization have a plan to improve
accessibility over a set timeframe?
5. Does the organisation have an equal opportunities
policy to promote the employment of staff with
disabilities
6. Does this Policy include commitment to
reasonable adjustment of work-place environment
to accommodate new staff and clients with
disabilities?
7. Does the organisation have a disability
desk/disability focal person in charge who
manages the concerns of employees and clients
with disabilities?

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 OBSERVATION GUIDE

Access Team Management Information Policies, Practices How staff and

Publicity and Procedures management
deliver
service
Guid If it has an access Investigate if Are Auditors can check for Check if staff
e team/disability management has communication equity policy, access have a positive
desk ask members in place policies needs of PWDs statement/declaration, attitude towards
of the team/officer and procedures. addressed? complaints procedures PWDs and
about accessibility Did management Brails, sign etc. accessibility
issues/challenges consider access language, etc.
and successes during
emergency
situation?

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