Inclusive Environment

Question 1

What building regulation relates to usability of buildings?

Answer 1

Part M - Access to and use of buildings

Question 2

What legislation contributes to creating inclusive environments?

Answer 2

• The Equality Act 2010
• BS 8300 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment.
• Approved Doc M (access to and use of buildings)
• Approved Doc k (protection from falling, collision and impact).

Question 3

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 3

The Equality Act 2010 is designed to legally protects people from discrimination, promote fairness and provide equal opportunities in the workplace and in wider society.

It identifies a number of protected categories (9).

Question 4

What are the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 4

1-Age
2-Disability
3-Gender reassignment
4-Race
5-Religion or belief
6-Sex
7-Sexual orientation
8-Marriage and civil partnership
9-Pregnancy and maternity

Question 5

What is BS8300 ?

Answer 5

It’s a British Standars designed to provide accessible and inclusive built environment.

Question 6

What is the definition of an inclusive environment?

Answer 6

An inclusive environment recognises and accommodates differences in the way people use the built and natural environment. It facilitates dignified, equal and intuitive use by everyone

Question 7

What is meant by the term unconscious bias ?

Answer 7

The perception we make of others subconsciously or stereotypes of people which have an impact on our decision making - leading often to unfair decisions.
These perceptions are often caused by our upbringing /background, personal experiences, societal stereotypes and cultural context.

Question 8

Can you give an example of unconscious bias?

Answer 8

For example beauty bias, if someone comes into the office every day with their hair unkempt, you might assume that they are lazy or careless. Likewise, you might assume that an attractive, well-dressed colleague is more organised and professional.

Question 9

What factors would you consider under inclusive environments ?

Answer 9

• Welcoming to everyone
• Responsive to people’s needs
• Intuitive to use
• Flexible
• Offer choice when a single design solution cannot meet all user needs
• Convenient so they can be used without undue effort or special separation and so that they maximise independence

Question 10

How do you address unconscious bias?

Answer 10

• Be self-aware – internal dialogue
• Slow-down decision making – use a step-by-step approach
• Reconsider the reasons for decisions
• Monitor each other for unconscious-bias – have someone else check your reasoning

Question 11

Under the Equality Act 2010, what parties have duties? What are those duties?

Answer 11

• Service providers: to make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to people with disabilities
• Employers have a duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation in the workplace
• Public Authorities: have a duty to consider their policies and ensure they provide equality
• Education providers: similar to the above

Question 12

What are the reasonable adjustments?

Answer 12

Reasonable adjustments are changes or adaptations that for example enable disable people to access a service or to carry out their work on an equal basis

I.e.
- Physical adjustments: ramp
- Technological adjustment: assistive technology
- Policies

Question 13

Why is the Equality Act important ?

Answer 13

The Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone on the grounds of any of these characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation.
These are often referred to as protected characteristics.

Question 14

Tell me a stipulation from Approved Document M relating to accessibility

Answer 14

• Minimum effective clear width of doors (straight on (without a turn or oblique approach - internally) - 800mm in new buildings, 750mm in existing buildings.
• Where doors are to open manually the opening force from the leading edge is to be no more than 30N from closed to 30degrees.

Question 15

What is a disability?

Answer 15

Defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on someone’s ability to do normal daily activities.

Question 16

What is part M of the Building Regualtions ?

Answer 16

Part M sets out minimum requirements to ensure that a broad range of people are able to access and use facilities within buildings.

Question 17

What does a “reasonable requirement” mean in relation to the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 17

The action is financially viable and practical

Question 18

What requirements are there for ramps under Part M Access to and Use of Buildings?

Answer 18

• Maximum gradient (dependant on flight, gradient and rise)
• Surface width is at least 1.5m
• Ramp surface is slip resistant

Question 19

When are you protected?

Answer 19

Workplace
Public services (i.e. healthcare or education)
Places that offer service (supermarket, shops)
Transport
Clubs
Contact with local government

Question 20

What are the different forms of discrimination?

Answer 20

Direct Discrimination
Indirect Discrimination
Harassment
Victimisation

Question 21

What is direct discrimination?

Answer 21

Where you directly treating someone worse

i.e. promoting males instead of female in certain jobs which you think are more suited to males

Question 22

What is indirect discrimitaion?

Answer 22

Indirectly treating someone worse

i.e. putting a policy in place which effects someone with a protected characteristic and now someone without

Question 23

What is harrassment?

Answer 23

Something which creates an offensive or hostile environment.

Question 24

What is victimisation?

Answer 24

Where you are treated poorly because of you have a Protected Characteristic

Question 25

What groups does the Equality Act 2010 not cover?

Answer 25

Single, divorced or widowed people.

Only those who are married or in a civil partnership.

Question 26

What is diversity?

Answer 26

Diversity is about recognising that we are different from each other. It is acknowledging the benefits of having a society and workforce made up of people with different qualities.

Question 27

What is inclusion ?

Answer 27

Inclusion goes beyond simply having a diverse workforce. Inclusion:
* giving everyone equal opportunities
* encourages us to value each other’s differences and work towards creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and feel that they belong, irrespective of their differences
* encourages us to appreciate and promote the unique qualities, characteristics that everyone has to offer

Question 28

What are the benefits of diversity and inclusion?

Answer 28

Building a workforce of people from a wide range of backgrounds and skills to enhance the working environment, the health and wellbeing of staff, and drive engagement, creativity and innovation and problem solving.

Question 29

How do you promote inclusion?

Answer 29

• Use inclusive language to promote respect and inclusivity.
• Encourage people to offer different perspectives, and praise and celebrate each other’s accomplishments.

Question 30

What do you need to assess/consider when looking at a building and it’s relation to inclusive environments?

Answer 30

Different physical and mental health issues.

Factors which can lead to social isolation.

Policy and legal requirements i.e. planning policy and building regulations?

The value it can bring to building owners and occupiers.

Question 31

Can you give an example of a public service which is not all inclusive?

Answer 31

The underground.

Only 71 out of the 270 stations are wheelchair accessible.

Question 32

Is cost an element to consider in relation to making an environment inclusive?

Answer 32

Yes, reasonable test within the Equality Act 2010.

If it is financially unviable to undertake the work, then it is not reasonable to.

Question 33

What impact can inclusive environments have on property values?

Answer 33

A
Properties which are able to meet the needs of all are likely to be more valuable.

For example, a company would prefer to occupy a building which allows all their workforce to use it.

Therefore, inclusive properties will likely see less voids, need lower incentives and achieve higher rents/values than those that don’t.

Question 34

Under the Equality Act, who is responsible for ensuring environments are inclusive?

Answer 34

The managers/controllers of let buildings.

Those managing the building cannot discriminate or harass occupiers.

Question 35

How does the Equality Act 2010 relate to property professionals?

Answer 35

Lettings or sales cannot be undertaken in a way which discriminates, harasses or victimises a person.

Question 36

What options are available to a service provider under the Equality Act if an environment is not inclusive?

Answer 36

1. remove or alter feature
2. Provide reasonable means of avoiding it

Question 37

What does Chelmsford Planning Policy say in relation to inclusive environments?

Answer 37

Under the Local Plan, buildings must be designed to create safe, accessible and inclusive environments.

Question 38

What does the NPPF say about inclusive environments?

Answer 38

States that development needs to be designed to be inclusive - for individual, public and private buildings.

Inclusive in that the buildings are their surrounding spaces can be accessed and used by everyone.

Question 39

Why is creating an inclusive environment important?

Answer 39

Not only due to Legislation, but also due to improving and helping the lives of those who would otherwise suffer.