University with Accessibility: leaving out barriers and promoting inclusion in a public Brazilian University

Abstract

The objective of this study was to diagnose São Carlos Federal University´ structural problems to guarantee the access of disabled people. By means of observation and interviews with students, teachers, employees, visitors, elderly people, people with physical and sensorial disabilities and people with moving difficulties, it was possible to identify the most serious accessibility problems in the campus. The data collected identified architectural obstacles that made accessibility difficult and even impossible in many parts of the campus. Sidewalks and ramps were the most frequent aim of commentaries, either because of their absence or their bad conservation and structural problems (concerning the ramps). The necessity of readaptation of the Universitary Restaurant also seemed to deserve special attention. Moreover, it was pointed the necessity of an educational campaign to make the campus´ users (students, teachers and employees) aware of the correct use of the device installed to make accessibility easier, avoiding its bad use and forming a community of citizens, in which respect to differences is preserved. The sample of participants provided relevant informations that lead to alterations projects that will be carried out in the campus. Key Words: Accessibility, inclusion, architectural obstacles.