Street furniture such as seating, bins, planters and bollards can often end up being more of an obstacle than an asset for disabled people.

The key is to make sure that it is well colour contrasted with it's surrounds, that it dosn't block off or obstruct common walkways, that it doesn't restrict required circulation space, and, in the case of seating, that it is not too low down, of a variety of heights, leaves room for assistance dogs, and includes seating with and without arms.

 

Bollards can represent the single greatest barrier to a wide variety of disabled people. They are often not well enough colour contrasted, or are do not contrast well enough with their surrounds when it is raining or the ground is wet. They are difficult to see or notice in low light.

They are often located too close together or in inappropriate places.

Left is an example of poorly thought out use of bollards - the bollards are in a row and difficult to see for visually impaired people in daylight, but when it has rained and the floor slabs are darker, they do not stand out at all - representing a hazard.

 

 

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