A NBR 9050 e o design universal: um estudo sobre o banheiro

Abstract

In light of permanent or temporary multiple mobility restrictions experienced by the population, it is understood that the Universal Design must be practiced under any circumstances. However, in Brazilian context is perceived that it is little incorporated to professional practice, what is worrying when verified the existence of standards in that field for more than twelve years. Faced with this paradox, we question: how requirements of NBR 9050 regarding to toilets account the needs of different possible users in this environment and, therefore, meet the Universal Design? From this inquiry, the general purpose of the master dissertation is to understand how NBR 9050 relates to Universal Design Principles referring to the solutions adopted in toilets in order to reflect critically on the normative provisions. The choice of toilet was due to its importance in basic needs satisfaction and maintenance of dignity of the human person, which can only be achieved if there be guarantees of autonomy, privacy and usability. The master dissertation uses the bibliographic study and the field research that, from multimethods, covers the technical/professional point of view and the users’ point of view. On technical study was applied an Universal Design evaluation matrix, developed by the author based on specialized bibliography. The perceptive study resorted to accompanied tasks and focus group interview, which had as participants ten people with different profiles (wheelchair user, total blindness, low vision, ostomy, crutches user, elderly, in obesity condition, short stature, pregnant and without any kind of mobility restriction). The analysis of obtained results allowed to answer the question of research and demonstrated that, even at toilets fully suited to technical standards, some of users’ needs are not met, showing the distance between these environments and the Universal Design. Given the importance of NBR 9050 as primarily used technical tool in Brazil on the subject, is expected to reinforce the importance of a critical evaluation about parameters imposed by it and its efficiency in inclusive environments production.