유니버설디자인 관점에서 이동약자를 위한 안경원 출입구 편의시설 실태조사 - 서울특별시를 중심으로

The Field Investigation of Optical Shop Entrance Facilities for the Mobility Impairment from the Universal Design - Focused on Seoul Metropolitan City

Purpose: Mobility impairment persons are all people who experience mobility difficulties in their daily lives, which makes up about 30% of the population in Seoul Metropolitan City; this number is expected to increase with population aging. As the number of mobility impairment persons in need of vision correction increases, it is necessary to create the Universal Design guidelines and to provide the foundation to access convenience facilities at the entrance of optical shops, a health and medical institution. Methods: Of the 2,282 optical shops located in Seoul, 252 optical shops were chosen for data collection of actual photos, from April 10, 2022 to September 4, 2022. Based on the photographs, the height difference between the entrance and the sidewalk, safety handles, and opening and closing methods of entrances were investigated, as these factors correspond to the accessibility and the mobility of the mobility impairment persons. Results: Of the 252 optical shops surveyed, 114 (45.2%) have resolved the problems of height difference through improving horizontal accessibility (61) or using ramps (53). 36 (14.3%) optical shops chose automatic doors for opening and closing methods of the entrance. Implications: The rate of installation of access convenience facilities for the entrance of optical shops is slightly lower than the rate of installation of ramps, surveyed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It is necessary to apply the Universal Design to access convenience facilities for the entrance of optical shops for not only the mobility impairment persons but all people, regardless of age or ability, to conveniently access healthcare services.