BARREIRAS DE ACESSIBILIDADE EM FACULDADES DE ODONTOLOGIA DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DO RIO DE JANEIRO: DIAGNÓSTICO SITUACIONAL E PROTOCOLO DE ADEQUAÇÃO

Abstract

Objective: To analyze accessibility in Dental Schools of public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, and to suggest a basic protocol that can guide the Institutions so that changes can be made. Materials and methods: an observational study was conducted in 8 HEIs, which investigated the presence of 8 accessibility barriers (locations with only access by stairs; discontinuous flooring; absence of handrails; absence of elevators; uneven paving; lack of Braille signage; absence of adapted bathrooms; lack of Libras interpretation) that were subsequently displayed in 3 categories (present, absent and partially present). Then, a bibliographic search was performed in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases, supporting the construction of the adaptation protocol. Results: The results found that in all HEIs the presence, total or partial, of at least one of the barriers highlighted was observed, with the lack of Libras interpreters, absence of adapted bathrooms, uneven paving and lack of Braille signage being the most common obstacles. The adaptation protocol points out the need to resolve these and other barriers that may be present, based on a specific approach to be defined by each Institution, according to the gaps present. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude, therefore, that the Schools of Dentistry have relevant accessibility gaps that must be resolved.