Evaluation of Accessibility to Multi-household $\cdot$ Multi-studio Type House for Developing Senior Congregate Housing

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accessibility of existing multi-household multi-studio type house for developing Senior Congregate Housing. At present, in Korea, 'the Act of Promotion of Convenience and SEcurity for Disabled, Aged, Expectant Mothers, etc.' is applied to only public facilities. Therefore, this study evaluated 7 units -2 multi-household house and i multi-studio type house- in order to grasp the problems caused if the aged would dwell in that type of house, by the items of 'manual for improving the residency of the disabled' which was stipulated by the act above. The data was collected from May to June, 2005. The results were as follows: Firstly, the main entrances, exits and width of stairways had narrow spaces, the handles and bars did not conform with the terms presented in the manual above. Front doors should be opened like a bay for wheelchair use. Secondly, additional lighting apparatus and furniture should be added properly Thirdly, there were several inconformity to the manual for bathroom: improper handles, inadjustable washing-stands, unavailable spaces in front of toilet bowls, and out-of-place showers and taps. Finally kitchen cabinet design improper for wheelchair user. In conclusion, accessibility of existing multi-household or multi-studio type house was not good enough for the aged reside in. Those insufficiencies suggest that more specified standards to enhance accessibility to develop senior congregate housing should be added.