City of Cape Town Link

What is universal access?

<h2 class="sectHeading">One city, for all</h2><p>The City of Cape Town wants all citizens – both with and without disabilities – to access Cape Town’s public spaces and transport systems, and use and enjoy the city to its fullest. For this reason, we consider people with disabilities when we plan and add new features to our city, including buildings, modes of transport, signage, roads or bridges.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> Universal Access is not only about the environment; it’s a matter of attitude. Good access begins with society. We should all make people with disabilities feel included in everyday life.</p></div></div></span> <p>Facilities and building features, such as public toilets, entrances, doorways, walkways and ramps, must be built to certain standards and measurements to be accessible to people with disabilities.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p> An equal society is one where we see all people as active members of communities. </p></div></div></span> <p> <b>Here are some examples of universal access measures taken by the City of Cape Town:</b></p><ul><li>In the centre of Cape Town, a number of traffic lights have sound signals that help people with visually impairments cross streets. Further audible signals will be installed in time.</li><li>Textured paving (also known as tactile paving) helps guide people with visual impairments.</li><li>When we do maintenance on roads that were built before universal access was legally implemented, or works on roads where universal access features were fitted badly, we install new dropped kerbs, textured paving and audible signals where necessary.</li></ul><p> <b>Why universal access benefits all:</b></p><ul><li>Good access benefits everyone – not just the person with a disability. A ramp at a shopping centre, for example, can be used by anyone who cannot or does not want to use the stairs.</li><li>Everybody needs good, clear signage and direction indicators, decent lighting in buildings and on roads, colour contrasting on steps, and bigger lifts. </li><li>A dropped kerb (where the pavement drops to be level with the road at pedestrian crossings) makes it easier for someone in a wheelchair, but also works for those with prams or older people who may have difficulty walking.</li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Core resources</h2></span> <p>For detailed descriptions and diagrams of how to build for universal accessibility, read <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/National%20Building%20Regulations%20%E2%80%93%20Part%20S.pdf" target="_blank">Part S of the National Building Regulations</a>, which specifically deals with developing facilities for people with disabilities.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Tourism and special access needs</h2><p>Most of Cape Town’s major tourist attractions, such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, some beaches, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Table Mountain, offer access for people with disabilities as well as tourists who may have visual or hearing impairments and/or limited mobility. If you are a person with a disability exploring our city, or are with someone with special access needs, have a look at the list of all the City of Cape Town’s wheelchair-friendly facilities. For more information, feel free to get in touch with <a href="https://www.capetown.travel/" target="_blank">Cape Town Tourism<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> <b></b>The Cape Town Tourism Contact Centre is open daily from 08:00 – 21:00 (South African time). There are also nine visitor information centres across town. Contact the centre on <em> <a>086 132 2223</a></em>. </p></div></div></span> <p> <a href="https://www.capetown.travel/" target="_blank">Cape Town Tourism<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> can provide further information on wheelchair-friendly activities in Cape Town. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Further information</h2><p> For information on universal access in tourism in the rest of the country, contact the <a href="https://nationalgovernment.co.za/units/view/45/department-tourism" target="_blank">National Department of Tourism<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> You can reach the National Department of Tourism's contact centre on <em><a>086 111 2468</a></em>.</p></div></div><p> <b>Other sources of information are: </b></p><h4>The South African Disability Alliance (SADA)</h4><p> <em>Telephone:<br><a>012 452 3811</a></em></p><h4>Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities (Presidency)</h4> <em> </em> <p> <em>Telephone:<br><a>012 300 5488</a> / <a>012 300 5483</a></em></p>

An overview as well as examples of universal access measures taken by the City of Cape Town.

The Application of The National Building Regulations			2862342	GP0\|#e814022c-2e45-4465-887b-b6cd814e158b;L0\|#0e814022c-2e45-4465-887b-b6cd814e158b\|Regulation;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2011-03-31T22:00:00Z
Universal Access Policy			995650	GP0\|#ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd;L0\|#0ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd\|Policy;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#2d2209ac-5bcc-4d2a-9da9-05fb21c94ea1;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2014-04-30T22:00:00Z