https___agefriendlyhomes.ie_ga__C3_A1bhair_riocht-phoibli-a-thacaionn-le-daoine-breacaosta_insiultacht__1.xml
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It is important to be aware of the specific spatial needs of older people from the outset of planning in order to create more walkable communities and age friendly spaces. Walkability in the context of Age Friendly design refers to the ease at which older people can move around an area, building or space. Regardless of age, the walkability of an area affects all persons, however older people tend to be more aware of and may be challenged by the barriers to walkability. Recent studies conducted by Age Friendly Ireland that can be found on the Universal Design website have highlighted a number of common issues that reduce the walkability of an area and have a negative impact on the lives of older people. The studies highlighted the subtle differences between an ‘accessible’ area and a ‘walkable’ area for older people. For example, since the early 2000’s many local authorities have undertaken valuable work making areas and buildings more accessible in line with the Part M building regulations. However the Age Friendly Towns Programmes showed that while areas may be technically accessible, design elements such as proximity of bins to seats (at least 10 metres), appropriate distance between seats (every 100 metres), more appropriate age friendly seat design (with handles to assist in both sitting and rising from a seated position), longer pedestrian crossing times at larger road junctions or the pleasant microclimate of an area all contribute to the positive walkability of an area and generally don’t negatively impact the accessibility of an area. Thoughtful forward planning and careful consideration in relation to spatial location can greatly enhance the walkability of an area and small changes can mean big differences to older people. A walkability audit involves a group of people getting together and walking a short, planned route of between 800 metres and one kilometre (half to three-quarters of a mile) in order to assess it for how easy or difficult it is to walk that way. Walkability audits are a great way of understanding how a town works for older people, and how it could be improved. People assess things like how easy it is to cross the road, if the footpaths are level, if there is any street furniture blocking the way, what the bus stops are like. It is recommended that older people with a mixture of abilities walk the route – some who find it easy to walk, others who for various reasons find it more difficult. Walkability audits are a fun way of engaging with people and finding out how easy it is to get around the town. It also is a good way for local town planners and road engineers to get involved in Age Friendly Towns Programmes.
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Tá sé tábhachtach a bheith ar an eolas faoi shainriachtanais spásúla daoine aosta ó thús na pleanála d’fhonn pobail níos insiúlta agus spásanna aoisbháúla a chruthú. Tagraíonn insiúltacht i gcomhthéacs dearadh Aoisbháúil do cé chomh héasca agus atá sé do dhaoine aosta bogadh timpeall ar limistéar, foirgneamh nó spás. Beag beann ar aois, bíonn tionchar ag insiúltacht limistéir ar gach duine, ach is gnách go mbíonn daoine aosta níos feasaí agus féadfaidh na bacainní ar insiúltacht dúshlán a chruthú dóibh D’aibhsigh staidéir a rinne Aoisbhá Éireann le déanaí ar féidir a fháil ar an láithreán gréasáin Dearaidh Uilíoch roinnt saincheisteanna coitianta a laghdaíonn insiúltacht limistéir agus a mbíonn tionchar diúltach acu ar shaol daoine aosta. Leag na staidéir béim ar na difríochtaí beaga idir limistéar ‘inrochtana’ agus limistéar ‘insiúltach’ do dhaoine aosta. Mar shampla, ó na 2000idí luatha i leith tá go leor údarás áitiúil tar éis obair luachmhar a dhéanamh chun limistéir agus foirgnimh a dhéanamh níos inrochtana de réir na rialachán tógála Cuid M. Thaispeáin na Cláir um Bhailte Aoisbhácha, áfach, cé go bhféadfadh limistéir a bheith inrochtana go teicniúil, go gcuireann gnéithe dearaidh ar nós gaireacht na mboscaí bruscair chuig suíocháin (10 méadar ar a laghad), fad iomchuí idir suíocháin (gach 100 méadar), dearadh suíochán atá níos oiriúnaí do dhaoine aosta (le hanlaí le cuidiú le suí agus ardú ó bheith suite), amanna trasrianta coisithe níos faide ag acomhail bóthair níos mó nó miocraeráid thaitneamhach limistéir go léir le insiúltacht dhearfach limistéir agus de ghnáth ní bhíonn tionchar diúltach acu ar inrochtaineacht limistéir. Féadann pleanáil mhachnamhach chun cinn agus breithniú cúramach maidir le suíomh spásúil feabhas mór a chur ar insiúltacht limistéir agus go minic bíonn tionchar mór ag athruithe beaga ar shaol dhaoine aosta. Cad is iniúchadh insiúltachta ann? Is éard atá i gceist le hiniúchadh insiúltachta ná grúpa daoine ag teacht le chéile agus bealach gearr pleanáilte idir 800 méadar agus ciliméadar amháin (leath mhíle go trí cheathrú míle) a shiúl d’fhonn a mheas cé chomh héasca nó chomh deacair is atá sé siúl ar an mbealach sin. Tá iniúchtaí insiúltachta iontach chun tuiscint a fháil ar an gcaoi a n-oibríonn baile do dhaoine aosta, agus conas a d’fhéadfaí é a fheabhsú. Déanann daoine measúnú ar rudaí cosúil le cé chomh héasca agus atá sé an bóthar a thrasnú, an bhfuil na cosáin cothrom, an bhfuil aon troscán sráide ag cur bac ar an mbealach, cén chuma atá ar na stadanna bus. Moltar do dhaoine aosta a bhfuil meascán cumais siúil acu an bealach a shiúl – cuid acu a mbíonn sé éasca orthu siúl, cuid eile a mbíonn sé níos deacra orthu ar chúiseanna éagsúla. Cén fáth a ndéantar iniúchadh insiúltachta? Bíonn spraoi ag baint le hiniúchtaí insiúltachta chun teagmháil a dhéanamh le daoine agus a fháil amach cé chomh héasca agus atá sé dul timpeall an bhaile. Is bealach maith é freisin do phleanálaithe baile agus innealtóirí bóthair áitiúla a bheith páirteach i gCláir um Bhailte Aoisbhácha.