BaltSe@nioR 2.0 - Needs of public institutions

The needs of public institutions in view of the ageing society

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

society in most regions in Europe is ageing. This should not be taken as a spectre, but it does pose challenges to various economic and social areas of a country, such as social security systems, economic development, the world of work, transport or urban development and thus you/your institutions, which are living or meeting places in public space for all members of society, or explicitly for the elderly population.

With this questionnaire, we would like to find out from you how you/the public institution you manage or represent meets the elderly. Have you already made arrangements, such as furnishings suitable for senior citizens or access to your facility appropriate for the elderly? Is this an issue in your institution?

Your opinion is important to us, so that public spaces can be designed more senior-friendly.

The survey is part of the EU co-funded project BaltSe@nioR 2.0.

This questionnaire will be used identically in our international consortium with partners from Latvia, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Russia and Sweden, thus collecting the status quo, needs and wishes across borders.

This is an anonymous survey.

Thank you very much for your participation!

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* 1. What type of public institution do you represent?

city / commune / regional governmental office

culture institution - museum

culture institution - library

culture institution - theatre, cinema, opera etc.

educational institution - nursery, kindergarten

educational institution - school

educational institution - university, third age university

institution managing green areas, e.g. parks/ nature protection institution

institution managing public areas, e.g. streets, bus stations

sport management institution

gastronomic point, e.g. restaurants, cafes

seniors' home, day care home, seniors' club

healthcare institution or pharmacy

accommodation facilities e.g. hotel, hostel, motel

supermarket, shopping mall

other, which one?

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* 2. What is the most common age of people visiting your institution? (please tick up to 2 boxes)

children under 6 years

children and youths (from 7 to 18 years old)

19 - 40

41 – 64

65+

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* 3. What type of disability do senior citizens (aged 65+) visiting your institution most often have? (ticking up to 4 boxes is possible)

deafness / hearing loss

vision problems

mobility problems – moving in a wheelchair / with the help of a walking frame / crutches / stick

other, which ones?

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* 4. Do seniors who visit your institution come most often? (please tick up to 2 boxes)

alone

in the company of a partner (husband/wife)

in the company of a friend/s

in the company of children

in the company of grandchildren

other, which ones?

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* 5. Do you think the space in your institution is adapted to the needs of seniors?

yes

partly

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* Please list the things that are adapted to the needs of seniors in your institution.

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* Please list the things that are not adapted to the needs of seniors in your institution.

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* 6. What facilities in your opinion could be introduced for seniors in your institution? ((please select up to 10 answers in main categories)

more comfortable furniture, e.g. seats with armrests, hangers at the appropriate height

additional handles

better lighting

better acoustics

more furniture in the public space, e.g. benches, clothes hangers

changing the ways of opening the front door

the presence of a bell calling for building staff

presence of elevators and lifts, driveways

increasing the availability and adaptation of toilets

location of inscriptions at eye level (1.4 to 1.6 m from the ground) with easy access for viewing from up close

increase the readability of the inscriptions – their good lighting and the use of specific typefaces (sans serifs), larger font size and in colors contrasting with the background of the sign

placing orientation points that allow one to locate one’s location in a given space

providing places for physical activity (equipment, games)

enabling the stimulation of visual and olfactory sensations by sensory systems

ensuring easy and safe access to rest areas

ensuring an adequate frequency of furniture for rest

distinguishing the surface of rest areas from the main pedestrian path

special surface texture on the pavements that guide people with vision impairments to information points

introducing additional texture and sound markings for blind and visually impaired people, e.g.

>> audio systems

>> induction loops for hearing impaired people

>> descriptions in Braille or in relief for the visually impaired

>> verbal information – information and help points

the use of additional visual markings for people with hearing impairments, e.g.

>> information boards

>> pictograms

>> graphic signs in contrasting and legible graphics, as well as in a language easy to read and understand

additional ways of sharing the information, e.g.

>> voice information

>> localization – a verbal description of the place and route of movement between characteristic points of spatial orientation

>> tourist – messages providing the most important sightseeing information about the area and sights

use of new information technologies (applications) in public space

other, which ones?

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* 7. Have surveys been conducted among seniors regarding the demand for equipment / furniture / accessories in your institution?

yes

If yes, please indicate when and why. Can you share the main results with us?

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* 8. What funds are supporting the financial investments implemented for seniors in your institution? (ticking up to 6 boxes is possible)

budget of the commune / local unit

subsidies, national subsidies

EU funds

financial sources from other funds

credits

sponsorship

If "EU funds" or "other funds" - which ones?

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* 9. What is the average annual amount of funds allocated for this type of investment in your institution?

up to 5 000 euro

5 000 – 15 000 euro

16 000 – 50 000 euro

51 000 – 100 000 euro

over 100 000 euro

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* 10. When was the investment last made?

during the previous year (2019)

2-4 years ago

5-10 years ago

over 10 years ago

What kind of investment was made?

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* 11. Do you plan to make this type of investment in your institution in the near future (within 3 years)?

yes

If yes, what exactly will it apply to? If not, why?

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* 12. What kind of investments from the perspective of seniors would you like to carry out in your unit in the near future? (please tick up to 3 boxes)

renovation of offices / toilets

furniture replacement

purchase of accessories

improving interior infrastructure

improving the infrastructure around the building

implementing intelligent solutions

other, which ones?

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* 13. What is the main barrier against adapting your institution to the needs of seniors? (please tick up to 3 boxes)

lack of knowledge what to improve and how

lack of knowledge about the attractive and available offer

lack of understanding of the needs of older people by decision makers responsible for purchasing

no funds

restrictions resulting from tenders, regulations

other priorities of investment

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* 14. What would encourage you to make investments adapting the space to the needs of seniors? Please evaluate the following from 1 – the most important. (1 the most important, 2 – important, 3 average, 4 – the less important/not important at all)

	most important	important	average	the less important/not important at all
additional financial resources	additional financial resources most important	additional financial resources important	additional financial resources average	additional financial resources the less important/not important at all
specialist consultancy	specialist consultancy most important	specialist consultancy important	specialist consultancy average	specialist consultancy the less important/not important at all
reducing bureaucracy	reducing bureaucracy most important	reducing bureaucracy important	reducing bureaucracy average	reducing bureaucracy the less important/not important at all
If other - please rate here and enter text below	If other - please rate here and enter text below most important	If other - please rate here and enter text below important	If other - please rate here and enter text below average	If other - please rate here and enter text below the less important/not important at all

other, which one?

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* 15. Does your institution buy furniture based on sustainable social development (up-cycling, reuse)?

yes

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* 16. Is your organization willing to pay more for furniture designed in a more sustainable way?

yes

Why? How much more [in %]?

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* 17. To what extent do the criteria related to furniture reliability and durability influence purchasing decisions?

greatly

to a medium extent

not at all

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* 18. Which of the following criteria are taken into account or you would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture in your institution?

	They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
price	price They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	price You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
environmental aspects, environmental friendliness, sustainable design	environmental aspects, environmental friendliness, sustainable design They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	environmental aspects, environmental friendliness, sustainable design You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
external form (design, aesthetics)	external form (design, aesthetics) They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	external form (design, aesthetics) You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
additional functionalities (induction chargers, USB sockets, USB-C, etc.)	additional functionalities (induction chargers, USB sockets, USB-C, etc.) They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	additional functionalities (induction chargers, USB sockets, USB-C, etc.) You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
easy to clean	easy to clean They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	easy to clean You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
antibacterial properties of surfaces	antibacterial properties of surfaces They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	antibacterial properties of surfaces You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
available colors	available colors They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	available colors You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
ergonomics (appropriate dimensions, backrests, armrests, etc.)	ergonomics (appropriate dimensions, backrests, armrests, etc.) They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	ergonomics (appropriate dimensions, backrests, armrests, etc.) You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
length of warranty period	length of warranty period They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	length of warranty period You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
Adaptation to the needs of seniors	Adaptation to the needs of seniors They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	Adaptation to the needs of seniors You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
flammability certificates	flammability certificates They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	flammability certificates You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
certificates for furniture use safety	certificates for furniture use safety They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	certificates for furniture use safety You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture
mobility	mobility They are currently taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture	mobility You would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture

other certificates – which ones?

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* 19. Has your institution had an accessibility audit performed (taking into account the diversity of physical limitations and users' perceptions)?

yes

no, but we plan to do this assessment

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* 20. Does your institution have a document, strategy or design guide related to access to all?

yes

no, but we plan to have this kind of document developed in our institution

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* 21. Do you think that the public procurement process, including the Specification of Essential Terms of Contract, should contain mandatory requirements about the need to implement the concept of universal design?
Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, anthropometrical dimensions, skills or disabilities.

yes

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* 22. Does your institution promote public spaces friendly to people with disabilities (accessibility maps, leaflets, etc.)?

yes

If yes, in what way?

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* 23. Who is included in your public space development process? (please tick up to 3 boxes)

people trained in universal design

local organizations of disabled people and/or older people

none of the above

other persons, who?

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* 24. Is the staff of your institution trained in the service of people with special needs, e.g. first contact with a deaf person?

yes

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* 25. Would you like to increase your knowledge in the field of universal design?

yes

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* If so, in what form (please tick up to 2 boxes):

online courses

workshops

e-book with tips and hints

specialist consultancy

other, which one?

Question Title

* 1. What type of public institution do you represent?

Question Title

* 2. What is the most common age of people visiting your institution? (please tick up to 2 boxes)

Question Title

* 3. What type of disability do senior citizens (aged 65+) visiting your institution most often have? (ticking up to 4 boxes is possible)

Question Title

* 4. Do seniors who visit your institution come most often? (please tick up to 2 boxes)

Question Title

* 5. Do you think the space in your institution is adapted to the needs of seniors?

Question Title

* Please list the things that are adapted to the needs of seniors in your institution.

Question Title

* Please list the things that are not adapted to the needs of seniors in your institution.

Question Title

* 6. What facilities in your opinion could be introduced for seniors in your institution? ((please select up to 10 answers in main categories)

Question Title

* 7. Have surveys been conducted among seniors regarding the demand for equipment / furniture / accessories in your institution?

Question Title

* 8. What funds are supporting the financial investments implemented for seniors in your institution? (ticking up to 6 boxes is possible)

Question Title

* 9. What is the average annual amount of funds allocated for this type of investment in your institution?

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* 10. When was the investment last made?

Question Title

* 11. Do you plan to make this type of investment in your institution in the near future (within 3 years)?

Question Title

* 12. What kind of investments from the perspective of seniors would you like to carry out in your unit in the near future? (please tick up to 3 boxes)

Question Title

* 13. What is the main barrier against adapting your institution to the needs of seniors? (please tick up to 3 boxes)

Question Title

* 14. What would encourage you to make investments adapting the space to the needs of seniors? Please evaluate the following from 1 – the most important. (1 the most important, 2 – important, 3 average, 4 – the less important/not important at all)

Question Title

* 15. Does your institution buy furniture based on sustainable social development (up-cycling, reuse)?

Question Title

* 16. Is your organization willing to pay more for furniture designed in a more sustainable way?

Question Title

* 17. To what extent do the criteria related to furniture reliability and durability influence purchasing decisions?

Question Title

* 18. Which of the following criteria are taken into account or you would like them to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions for furniture in your institution?

Question Title

* 19. Has your institution had an accessibility audit performed (taking into account the diversity of physical limitations and users' perceptions)?

Question Title

* 20. Does your institution have a document, strategy or design guide related to access to all?

Question Title

Question Title

* 22. Does your institution promote public spaces friendly to people with disabilities (accessibility maps, leaflets, etc.)?

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* 23. Who is included in your public space development process? (please tick up to 3 boxes)

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* 24. Is the staff of your institution trained in the service of people with special needs, e.g. first contact with a deaf person?

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* 25. Would you like to increase your knowledge in the field of universal design?

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* If so, in what form (please tick up to 2 boxes):

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* 26. Please fill in the name of the city you represent:

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* 27. Please fill in the country you represent: