[Accessibility and physical deficiency: identifying architectural barriers in internal areas of hospitals in Sobral,...

The objective of this research was to identify architectural barriers for the physically handicapped in the internal areas of four hospitals in the city of Sobral, in the State of Ceará. This is a quantitative study for which data collection was carried out in May of 2004 using a checklist based on the NBR 9050, of the Brazilian Technical Standards Organization (ABNT). The analysis identified the presence of access ramps (100%); staircases without banisters (50%); doors with ideal width (100%); swinging doors with no windows (100%); internal circulation areas with obstacles (100%); ramps with no antiskid floors (100%); ramps and staircases with banisters (50%), but out of legal standards. One hospital was built entirely on the ground floor, but the others have thirteen internal staircases; 80% of the counters and 33% of the seats for the public comply with legal standards; 97% of the drinking fountains and telephones are not accessible. The conclusion is that there are physical barriers in these institutions and that the legislation is not being complied with.