Inclusive environment Flashcards
What is an inclusive environment?
An inclusive environment is one which is designed and managed to allow people with a diverse range of needs and abilities to access and use it
What is an inclusive environment?
an environment could be a building or place, including homes, workplaces, shops, healthcare facilities, sporting and cultural venues, schools or open spaces
How can you create an inclusive environment?
Ensuring that environments are inclusive applies throughout the property lifecycle. For example:
* During design and/or refurbishment, it is important to ensure that accessibility is considered from various users’ perspectives, physically and socially
* During a building’s occupancy, building owners, occupiers and managers must ensure that potential users of the space can reasonably do so despite any disabilities
What do responsible people need to consider?
In order to consider different users’ needs, those with responsibility to ensure inclusive environments must have agood awareness of the following issues which are relevant to their work:
* Different physical and mental health issues which may lead to varying accessibility requirements
* Factors which can lead to social isolation
* Policy and legal requirements relating to accessibility, including local planning policies, building regulations, Equality Act 2010 and health and safety law
* Best practices relating to inclusivity in the design and management of physical spaces
* The value that inclusive environments can bring to building owners and occupiers
What is the Equality Act 2010?
The Act consolidates discrimination law and provides protection against a wide range of discrimination and inequality, including the use of property as well as when dealing with people
What is the Equality Act 2010?
The Act consolidates discrimination law and provides protection against a wide range of discrimination and inequality, including the use of property as well as when dealing with people
What are the 4 types of discrimination under the Equality Act?
In addition to the nine protected characteristics (see above under Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking), the Act identifies four types of illegal discrimination:
* Direct discrimination
* Indirect discrimination
* Harassment
* Victimisation
How does the Equality Act affect property?
It extends the obligations to all ‘controllers of let premises’
It is unlawful for those managing buildings to discriminate against or victimise an occupier.
* Lettings, sales, assignments and other forms of disposal must not be undertaken in a way which could discriminate, harass or victimise a person
* The Act extends the existing requirement to make reasonable adjustments to help disabled people if they would be placed at a substantial disadvantage if the work was not carried out
* Landlords need to ensure that all dealings with a tenant or occupier who could have a protected characteristic are dealt with in accordance with the Act’s provisions
* Service providers have a duty to’make alterations to a building so to avoid disability discrimination or make an alternative provision of the service. These must be “reasonable” in cost, extent and disruption
* Need for an access statement/audit for all properties - setting out details of access arrangements and alternative arrangements if access cannot be reasonably provided for a disabled person
* Most requirements embedded in Part M of the Building Regulations
What are requirements relating to property?
When faced with an obstacle to access for disabled persons, the Act requires the service provider to:
* Remove or alter the feature, or
* Provide reasonable means of avoiding the obstacle or reasonable alternative access to the service
The test is one of reasonableness and not an absolute obligation. Tests for ‘reasonableness’ include:
* Effectiveness of the adjustment for the disabled person
* The practicality of the adjustment
* Its financial cost and likely disruption
* Financial and other resources available to the service provider
What part of the Building regs covers inclusive environments?
Part M of the Building Regulations (Access to and use of buildings) sets out legal minimum requirements for promoting access to and use of buildings. Whereas previous versions of the Regulations focused on the specific needs of disabled people, the 2004 edition of Approved Document M promotes an approach to inclusive design that reflects the needs of all people.
What is the duty to make reasonable adjustments?
The equality act states that people or organisations like employers, shops, local authorities and schools must take positive steps to remove the barriers you face because of your disability. This is to ensure you receive the same services, as far as this is possible, as someone who’s not disabled
What adjustments can be made at home?
If a tenant, sub-tenant or leaseholder, you might have a right to changes that will help you live there with your disability. The Equality Act 2010 calls these changes ‘reasonable adjustments’.
Examples are replacing taps, door handles, door entry system, changing wall or door colour, providing access ramps
What other information relates to inclusive design?
Published by CABE in 2006, The Principles of Inclusive Design stressed that inclusive design is fundamental to good design. Acknowledging that the way places are designed affects our ability to move, see, hear and communicate effectively, the document states that inclusive design is about making places which everyone can use. By removing the barriers that create undue effort and separation, it enables everyone to participate equally, confidently and independently in everyday activities.
What about fire escape for disabled people?
As well as covered in part M, In public places the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that the Responsible Person, when conducting a fire risk assessment and considering the means of escape from fire, should incorporate the recommendations of:-
* The British Standard BS 8300-2. “Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment. Buildings” to meet the needs of disabled people.
* The supplementary guide Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Means of Escape for Disabled People which can be downloaded at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government web site.
What are possible solutions for alerting about a fire ?
People with disabilities should be aware of the special devices that are available such as smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light for those with a hearing impairment, smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the house to catch the attention of neighbours or passers-by, and emergency call or alarm systems for summoning help.
What is the Difference Between Legal & Ethical Standards?
- Legal standards are standards that are set forth in governmental laws.
- Ethical standards, on the other hand, don’t necessarily have a legal basis. They are based on human principles of right and wrong.
What does PAS 6463:2022 cover?
- It gives guidance on the design of the built environment to include the needs of people who experience sensory or neurological processing differences. It covers buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, and residential accommodation for independent or supported living.
- It gives guidance on elements including lighting, acoustics, décor, flooring, layout, wayfinding, familiarity, clarity, thermal comfort and odour; and incorporates principles to ensure that people with or having a range of processing differences are able to access and enjoy their experience of the built environment.
