Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What is an inclusive environment?

Answer 1

One which is designated and managed to allow people with a diverse range of needs to access and use it

Question 2

How do you make an inclusive envirnonment?

Answer 2

Manage the property though the life- cycle
* Design/refirb stage - ensure accesibility is considered from varios users perspectives - physically and socially
* Building occupancy - Buildings owners, managers and occupeirs must ensure that potential users of the space can reasoably do so despite disabilities

Question 3

How do you condider different users needs?

Answer 3

• Physical and mental health issues causing accesibility requirments
• Factors which can lead to social isolation
• Policy and legal requirments (local planning policies, buildings regs, Equality Act 2010, Health and Saftey Law)

Question 4

What is the equality Act 2010?

Answer 4

• Consolidates dicrimination law and provides broader protection against a wider rage of discrimination and inequality including the use of property and when dealing with peopole
• Extends obligations to controlers of let premesis
• unlawful for those managing building to discrimiate against or victimise an occupier
• Letting/sales/assingments/disposals must not discriminate, harass or victimise a person
• Most requirments embeded in Part M of building regs
• Service providers have a duty to make alterations to a building to avoid disability discrimination or must make alternative provisions - must be REASONABLE in cost, extent and disruption

pg 62 if feeling keen and want to learn more

Question 5

What choice is a service provider faced with when an obstacle for access to disabled persons?

Answer 5

• Remove the feature
• Alter it
• Provide reasonable means of avoiding the obstacle
• Provide reasonable alternative access to the service

Question 6

What is the test reasonable for alterations?

Answer 6

• Effectiveness of the adjustment for the disabled person
• Practicality of the adjustment
• Financial costs and likely disruption
• Financial and other resources available to the service provider

Question 7

Construction Industry Council (CIC) 5 key principals for inclusive design?

Answer 7

• Placing people at the heart of the design process
• Acknowledging diversity and difference
• Offering choice where a single solution cannot accommodate all users
• Providing flexibility in use
• Creating an environment that is convenient and enjoyable for all to use

Question 8

What does document M say?

Answer 8

Relates to the ‘ease of access to, and use of, buildings, including facilities for disabled visitors or occupants, and the ability to move through a building easily including to toilets and bathrooms’

It provides specific guidance on the safe degrees of pitch for ramps and steps, as well as building dimensions and facilities to facilitate wheelchair access.