Assessment of Accessibility and Disability Planning in Nigerian Construction Industry

Most private and public buildings in Nigeria do not incorporate accessibility design for people with disability (PWD). PWD lack suitable access to school, market, bank and public facilities, access barriers can hinder public mobility, access to services, and social involvement for PWD. This research investigated the level of accessibility planning and design in Nigeria’s construction industry and suggest possible remedies to overcome identified accessibility challenges. To achieve this objective, the researcher reviewed literature, relevant laws and policies, formulated and distributed well-structured questionnaires to engineering professionals / firms and PWD, the questionnaires were analyzed using a joint approach which involved the use of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study findings indicates that 80% of construction firms in Nigeria do not include accessibility and disability planning when constructing public buildings, also the National building code (2006) does not contain measurable provisions for PWD. Keywords— Accessibility Planning, Disability Design, Persons with Disability (PWD), Nigerian Construction Industry, Law / Policy, Public Buildings, National Building Code