ADAPTATION OF FLATS IN CONCRETE SLAB BUILDINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ISSUES, COSTS, REIMBURSEMENT OPTIONS, COMPARISONS

K e y w o r d s : Adaptations in flats; Bathroom; Disabled people; Multi-family housing; Flat accessibility charter. 3/2019 A R C H I T E C T U R E C I V I L E N G I N E E R I N G E N V I R O N M E N T 7 A R C H I T E C T U R E C I V I L E N G I N E E R I N G E N V I R O N M E N T The Si les ian Univers i ty of Technology No. 3/2019 d o i : 1 0 . 2 1 3 0 7 / A C E E 2 0 1 9 0 3 2 M . B a r t n i c k a idential dwellings, is a form of discrimination against people with disabilities. Design advocated as “universal” and following the principle of facilitating products and services in such a way that these are accessible to all ([5], art.2) does not seem to be implemented much, at least not to the full extent it could be. While public spaces are becoming more open and accessible to people with disabilities, residential spaces do not always meet the required criteria. The provision of Article 5. 1. point 4 of The Building Law Act states that the building object (...) should be designed and built in accordance with the principles of technical knowledge, ensuring: (...) the necessary conditions for the use of (...) multi-dwelling residential housing by persons with disabilities, operating in wheelchairs [6]. This provision guarantees the statutory right of the disabled to use multi-family housing dwellings. However, in reality it often fails to be implemented. In accordance with the provisions of the Building Regulations [7] newly constructed middle and highrise multi-family buildings must be equipped with passenger lifts, which provide access to each floor for disabled people ([7] §54 section 1 and section 2). In the absence of a lift, access to flats on the ground floor ([7] § 55 section 1) is required. One may get the impression that the problem has been resolved, but after a more thorough analysis, it should be noted that we are dealing with a very “literal” and surface treatment of this issue. The building accessibility zone is usually limited only to those parts of the building that are specified by law. This does not mean that the interiors of flats and apartments themselves are equally accessible. 1.1. Purpose and research methods In Poland, current legislation regarding accessibility of buildings in terms of access for people with disabilities refers to and concerns buildings built after 1994. The laws do not take into account residential buildings from the previous period, although such buildings constitute a significant percentage of dwellings (over 80% according to the 2011 census). Due to the existing housing structure in Poland, people with disabilities tend to live in premises from the earlier periods (pre1994). The vast majority of these are buildings constructed in a pre-fab concrete slabtechnology. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that virtually all apartments, both those built before 1995 as well as the newer buildings built after that date, require adaptation measures in terms of accessibility. The major differences remain the scope of necessary changes, their cost and the possibility of reimbursements for renovations and adaptations. For the study, a short qualitative research in which the main criterion was the functional quality of a flat for a person with disabilities was carried out. As a determinant factor of ensuring the comfort of movement in the interior, a manoeuvring area in the form of a square of 150 150 cm was assumed. The research was based on relevant literature review, thorough analysis of design documentation in terms of the possibility of redevelopment and adaptation and conclusions drawn from the design of a selection of concrete