Humanities and Social Sciences 2015; 3(2): 75-82 Published online March 2, 2015 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/hss) doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20150302.12 ISSN: 2330-8176 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8184 (Online) An Assessment of Ramp Designs as Barrier-Free Accesses in Public Buildings in Abuja, Nigeria Anunobi Anthony Ikechukwu, Adedayo Olatunde Folaranmi, Ayuba Philip, Oyetola Stephen Ayodele, Otijele Godwin Omachoko Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria Email address: arctonnie2000@yahoo.com (Anunobi A. I.) To cite this article: Anunobi Anthony Ikechukwu, Adedayo Olatunde Folaranmi, Ayuba Philip, Oyetola Stephen Ayodele, Otijele Godwin Omachoko. An Assessment of Ramp Designs as Barrier-Free Accesses in Public Buildings in Abuja, Nigeria. Humanities and Social Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 2, 2015, pp. 75-82. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20150302.12 Abstract: Increasingly, concerns about the need to improve the level of accessibility of buildings for the aged and the physically challenged in the built environment especially in public buildings have been raised. This study is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of ramp designs in the Federal Capital Territory Area of Abuja, Nigeria. An adaptive survey was deployed to selected public buildings to generate recommendations for change and improvement. The findings indicate that there are several shortcomings associated with ramp characteristics, landing and handrail provisions in the public buildings studied. The study recommends redesigning of existing ramps to achieve desired standards, and the adherence of prospective designs to desired needs of users to ensure ease of accessibility within the built environment. When implemented, it will eventually allow the elderly and physically challenged move easily, safely and enjoy the great variety of opportunities and experiences existing in the City. Keywords: Accessibility, Barrier-Free, City, Public Buildings, Ramp Design 1. Introduction For Many city-dwellers, today’s modern cities and towns may be convenient and fascinating places for working and living, offering a great variety of opportunities and experiences (UNESCAP, 2011). However, nearly everyone will experience functional limitations at one time or another and consequently be restricted by barriers resulting from design standardization. According to the Federal Highway Administration (2007), the groups that face the most limitations are the aged; who have problem with balance, strength, or stamina; children and shoppers with trolleys; and the physically challenged. This is because they find environments with conventionally constructed building entrances, which have difficult and unsafe stairs, unable to conveniently access them. For disabled persons, such built environments are full of uncertainties, anxieties and dangers as they encounter many obstacles that prevent them from moving about freely and safely. The obstacles are mainly as a result of differences in height between indoor and outdoor levels at entrances or routes of public and residential buildings, community centers, parks and places of worship, municipal and communication services, and entertainment as well as to various modern facilities (Romanyuta, 2011). Many disabled persons live in poverty and thus require improvement in their livelihood through the provision and utilization of social facilities such as schools and hospitals. However, most of these facilities are often located in places where access is difficult for them. The inclusion of persons with disabilities in development is pertinent to improving their welfare and that of their immediate family and also has important ramifications for the achievement of international sustainable development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Reaching the MDGs is unlikely to be achieved unless the rights and needs of person with disabilities (PWD) are considered in the process of development (World Bank, 2009). Improving the accessibility of the built environment for disabled people is critical to their being able to live independent lives on an equal basis with others (Office for Disability Issues 2011). Traditionally, in Nigeria, the aged and the physically challenged have been regarded as a group that should be dependent on the extended family, being passive recipients of services and charity (Wellington, 1992). Over the years,