Abstract
To provide ready-to-use information for wheelchair users accessing Kamakura, an internationally famed tourist city, accessibility of streets and shops along three main tourist streets was studied. The study comprised three stages: (a) investigation of the accessibility of streets and shops along them, (b) interviews of wheelchair users about their experiences, and (c) design of a new barrier-free road map for wheel-chaired visitors. In addition to the street conditions such as unevenness, road signs and multi-purpose toilets, the accessibility of the entrance conditions of all the shops along these streets was investigated in 2003 and 2005. Height differences of 2cm or more at the entrance were found in over 60% of shops along the two of the three routes. The rate of shops accessible for wheelchair visitors along two shop streets was only 31 and 34%, respectively, compared with 50% along a main avenue. Shops becoming accessible during the period from 2003 accounted for only 4%, 0% and 3%, respectively. The wheelchair users interviewed confirmed the low level of accessibility of streets and shops in the city. Based on the results. a barrier-free road map indicating conditions of individual shops along these streets was designed for use by wheel-chaired visitors. It is suggested to make wider use of such maps with the cooperation of local shops and volunteers.
