How do automatic doors help people with disabilities?
Want to know how do automatic doors help people with disabilities? The automatic door maintenance experts at Safetell can explain...
Automatic doors have become a staple in modern buildings, offering a convenient and efficient solution for controlling access to and from a building. They are equipped with a range of different technologies that ensures their safe and efficient operation. They are used across public and private buildings, in commercial, industrial and residential buildings to widen access.
Automatic doors are particularly helpful for people with disabilities. Any organisation that is serious about widening access and promoting accessibility should consider installing automatic doors.
Breaking down barriers
Negotiating public spaces can be challenging for people with disabilities. Kerbs, traffic, confusing signage, steps, heavy doors and street furniture can all present significant problems, making many towns and cities off-putting for people with disabilities.
People with disabilities make up a significant percentage of the population (22%) and when they are unable to access services, take part in leisure activities, shop and socialise, it’s a lost opportunity for businesses. One of the means through which companies and public organisations can widen access for disabled people is by installing automatic doors.
The advantages of automatic doors for disabled people
The use of automatic doors has a range of benefits for disabled people, some of them obvious, others that are less so. Automatic doors eliminate the need for manual effort to open the door. This makes it easier for people with disabilities to enter and exit a building. This is particularly important for people with mobility challenges, such as those who use wheelchairs or walkers, but also for people with other forms of disability such as autism.
Manual doors can be heavy, particularly larger doors in commercial buildings, making them almost impossible to open for some people. This is not only an issue for people with disabilities, it can also be challenging for older people. Automatic doors make it easier for a wider range of people to use your building comfortably.
Automatic doors also provide a safer operation for disabled people and other users. Doors equipped with sensors and touchless activation can be triggered without the need for physical contact, reducing the risk of germs and viruses spreading. This is particularly important in buildings such as hospitals and schools
Automatic doors can also be equipped with special features to accommodate the needs of disabled people. For example, some door operators can be programmed to operate at a slower speed, making it easier for people with mobility issues to pass through the door. Other safety elements such as audible signals can be incorporated to alert visually impaired people that the doors are open.
A key element in widening access
Promoting accessibility in your building is a comprehensive project within which automatic doors will play a key role.
If you’d like to know more about automatic sliding doors, automatic door servicing and the role they can play in making your building more accessible, please contact our experienced and knowledgeable team.
