Street Furniture for People with Disabilities: Balancing Regulatory Requirements and Improving Community Life

Accessibility to public spaces for all users is now at the heart of urban planning projects, just as much as the ecological transition. Polymobyl designs street furniture for people with reduced mobility and people with disabilities that meets both of these requirements through sustainable solutions. Learn about the new challenges in mobility, as well as the applicable standards and safety requirements.

What do the terms "PMR" and "PSH" mean?

Adapting street furniture to different user groups requires an understanding of their needs. People with reduced mobility (PMR) are individuals who have difficulty moving around, most often in wheelchairs—but not always. The PSH symbol, on the other hand, refers to people with disabilities in the broadest sense, which includes, in particular, users who are visually impaired or hard of hearing.

Finally, note that a disability is not necessarily permanent. It may be a temporary condition resulting from an accident or pregnancy, which makes it difficult for the person concerned to get around and perform daily activities.

The conceptof accessibility for people with reduced mobility in urban planning can be extended to include all members of the public who face specific challenges: parents with strollers, older adults, and so on. Accessible street furniture is therefore, by extension, more comfortable for all users.

What are the regulatory requirements regarding accessibility for people with disabilities and the design of public spaces?

The standards for street furniture for people with disabilities are as follows:

seat height between 45 and 50 cm;
enhanced stability to prevent tipping;
armrests to make it easier to stand up and sit down;
maneuvering space for wheelchairs (especially around tables);
visual contrast between the equipment and the ground for people with low vision.

Any failure to meet accessibility requirements exposes local governments to legal action and formal notices. Investing in compliant furniture is therefore a responsible management decision.

How can standards and safety be incorporated into the design of street furniture for people with disabilities?

To be fully effective, the features mentioned above must be taken into account from the design phase onward. The Polymobyl design office has expertise in both the regulations governing street furniture for people with disabilities and the needs of local governments in this area.

All of our furniture lines are adaptable, regardless of the specific line: LUD, NUT, CUB, 25°&Cie… We incorporate technical specifications for people with reduced mobility (PRM) right from the design phase of your urban development project.

What equipment does Polymobyl offer to ensure accessibility to public spaces for people with disabilities?

Our customized approach allows us to tailor each product to the needs of the site and its users, whether the project involves furnishing rural or urban areas. Among the categories of furniture we design, some are more directly affected by accessibility requirements:

Seating: Polymobyl offers public chairs and benches with an adapted seat height and armrests to make them easier to use for older adults or people with limited mobility. The materials used (steel, wood, aluminum, etc.) ensure stability and durability. The dimensions and finishes of each model are adjustable in accordance with current standards.
Picnic tables: Polymobyl furniture can be designed with open space underneath to facilitate wheelchair access. The height of the tabletop can also be adjusted. The design phase allows for consideration of a layout that promotes interaction between able-bodied users and people with mobility impairments at the same table.
Shelters: These are designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. The placement of the benches allows for wheelchair access and ensures safe access for people with visual impairments. Upon request, we manufacture urban shelters with wheelchair-accessible ramps.

Why Choose Polymobyl for Your Municipal Street Furniture?

We take a true partnership approach. Before proposing a solution, Polymobyl conducts a site audit to identify existing accessibility constraints and areas of non-compliance. Each piece of urban equipment for people with disabilities is then sized, designed, and approved in consultation with decision-makers to ensure compliance with standards. The aesthetics and visual consistency of the overall design are also taken into account.

An accessible public space is, above all, a space designed for everyone: choosing street furniture for people with mobility impairments means investing in quality of life and enhancing public spaces.