S-Tiles - law corner

LAW CORNER

EUROPEAN UNION - COM(2000) 284, “Towards a barrier free Europe for people with disabilities”. This Communication sets out the end goal of the European Union’s disabled people strategy, especially as far as architectural barriers removal is concerned. Following the adoption of this Communication, 2003 has been proclaimed the “European Year of People with Disabilities”.
To measure the degree of ‘slipperiness resistance’ of floor covering materials, specific national standards have been set up (for instance, in Italy DM 236/1989 or in Germany DIN 18025). In order to get the relative certification it is necessary to be in conformity with them.

ITALY - The setting up of systems to promote mobility through the easy recognition of places and danger signs by the visually impaired, is a legal requirement, provided for under article 1 of the DPR (President of the Republic Decree) no. 503 24 July 1996. This article specifies what has already been set out in the Outline law on handicapped people article no. 104 enacted on 5 February 1992, regarding the removal of architectural barriers.

The DPR 503/1996 is a landmark law in Italy, in requiring that architectural barriers be removed from public spaces and the urban pedestrian environment. In particular it states that “[…] flights of stairs should be easily recognizable to the visually impaired.” and that “Projects relating to public spaces […] must anticipate at least one accessible route for […] the use of services, social activities and general enjoyment of the surroundings for people with reduced or limited muscular or sensory ability” (Art. 4).