A Survey to Assess the Facility Access of People with Mobility Disabilities in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

According to the World Health Organization, people living with disability accounted for 15% of world's population, and their numbers are expected to grow¹. The Saudi national census estimated that 0.8% of people have disability, yet no study in Saudi Arabia has examined the architectural barriers of healthcare facilities and the difficulty it poses for person with disability (PwD). This study aimed at investigating accessibility of the architectural facilities in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) for People with Mobility Disabilities (PWMD). A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in KAMC in two phases, in phase I, respondents (n=100) were surveyed on the accessibility of architectural facilities and in phases II, an inspection was performed on the accessibility of architectural facilities using the Americans with disability act (ADA) standardized checklist for building design. Phase I, survey results showed that people ambulating by means of assistive devices needed additional help to access KAMC (p<0.05). In phase II, the mean accessibility rates of the measured facilities of KAMC were found to be: parking (36%), exterior access (32.5%), interior access (11.75%) toilets (34.75%), waiting area and registration counters (46.5%), patient sleeping rooms (29.5%), and signage (45%). This study indicates that there is limited awareness among (PWMD's) and inadequate accessibility within the healthcare facilities in KAMC. Further education to raise the awareness is needed so as to help the advocacy of the modifications needed to facilitate the access of health care services for PWMD.