Humans find it very important to fight for their rights, even people with disabilities and abnormalities in their physical functions and appearance. For this reason, authorities have made rules to promote independence among the disabled group. And one of which is the installation of detectable warning tiles to benefit the visually impaired.
The use of these tactile surfaces is necessary to help the visually impaired recognize the boundary between the road and the sidewalk. They are placed on the ground at curb ramps to give signal to the visually impaired that they are now about to cross the street.
But just like other materials, these tactile surfaces can be damaged overtime and can become ineffective, particularly if they are manufactured from substandard raw products. This is why the Americans with Disabilities Act has provided guidelines for choosing these materials.
The surfaces can be either made of stainless steel, precast, concrete, ceramic, plastic or latex modified mortar. Each has its different way of installation and maintenance, two things authorities must consider. They must have a truncated dome shape with several specifications.
The domes of each tile must measure . 9 to 1.4 inches in base diameter, with a top of around 50 to 65 percent of its base. The height for the domes must be exactly . 2 inch while the distance between the bases must be . 65 inch from the center.
Light colored roads must install darker warnings, while darker ones must have lighter warnings. This will assist the visually impaired in recognizing the difference in color more distinctly. Tests must be done to make sure the warnings can be detected under foot and by the use of cane, and are not prone to slippage.
Detectable warning tiles might all look the same to people, but choosing them is actually a busier task. Authorities might as well find a manufacturer they can rely on to guarantee durable products with the right warranty and price.
The use of these tactile surfaces is necessary to help the visually impaired recognize the boundary between the road and the sidewalk. They are placed on the ground at curb ramps to give signal to the visually impaired that they are now about to cross the street.
But just like other materials, these tactile surfaces can be damaged overtime and can become ineffective, particularly if they are manufactured from substandard raw products. This is why the Americans with Disabilities Act has provided guidelines for choosing these materials.
The surfaces can be either made of stainless steel, precast, concrete, ceramic, plastic or latex modified mortar. Each has its different way of installation and maintenance, two things authorities must consider. They must have a truncated dome shape with several specifications.
The domes of each tile must measure . 9 to 1.4 inches in base diameter, with a top of around 50 to 65 percent of its base. The height for the domes must be exactly . 2 inch while the distance between the bases must be . 65 inch from the center.
Light colored roads must install darker warnings, while darker ones must have lighter warnings. This will assist the visually impaired in recognizing the difference in color more distinctly. Tests must be done to make sure the warnings can be detected under foot and by the use of cane, and are not prone to slippage.
Detectable warning tiles might all look the same to people, but choosing them is actually a busier task. Authorities might as well find a manufacturer they can rely on to guarantee durable products with the right warranty and price.
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