South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996)

Regulations

Purchase

(1)	All schools must adhere to the requirements and principles of Universal Design. This will apply to all buildings, access ways, indoor and outdoor facilities as well as signage, communication and other services in new schools and to additions, alterations and improvements to existing schools.

(2)	In addition to the requirements contained in subregulation (1), schools for learners with special education needs must comply with the requirements related to the nature of the specialised support programme offered at the school, and the level of support required at that particular school.

(3)

(a)	A school for learners with special education needs must be fully accessible, and such access includes ramps, handrails and space for maneuverability for all learners and educators.

(b)	For the purposes of paragraph (a) minimum Universal Design requirements must include, but not be limited to, the following:

(i)	Clear floor area in passages, walkways and points of ingress for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices and aids;

(ii)	parking for persons with disabilities to be located as close as possible to entrance areas;

(iii)

ramps and handrails with regulated gradients, heights and spacing;

(iv)	toilets for the disabled must meet the requirements of the National Building Regulations;

(v)	all schools must be provided with adequate notice boards which are accessible for all users in the school building and which contain signage that is visible and legible;

(vi)	tactile signage must be provided for learners and educators with impaired vision;

(vii)

visual aids must be provided for communication with learners and educators who are deaf or hearing impaired; and

(viii)

all other aspects of Universal Design must be compliant with the relevant requirements of the National Building Regulations and SANS 10400.