Accessible market: A prototype for people with disabilities in Thailand

Abstract

Most Thai people like to purchase food at local markets; however, research studies on accessibility to local markets by people with disabilities were still limited. The objective of this study was to develop a prototype of an accessible market for people with disabilities in Thailand by a selected market where people with disabilities often go as a case study. Participants in this study consisted of a market owner, food stall owners, assistive technology specialists, general customers, and customers with disabilities. Data were collected by observing environmental features in the market and interviewing several participants. Major findings indicated that people with disabilities could not access the market because of lack of accessible parking zone for people with disabilities, no ramps, walkways with obstacles, unsuitable public restrooms, no zoned area for the food court, and no standards for food stalls. All inaccessible data were analyzed and a prototype for parking spaces, ramps, walkways, public restroom, food court, and food stalls were designed to make the market accessible. © ACM 2009.