Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What are the steps in making an inclusive environment ?

Answer 1

Understanding who will use the project now and in the future, ensure to have input from the local community.

Question 2

What is the definition of an inclusive environment?

Answer 2

An inclusive environment is one that can be accessed and used safely, easily and with dignity by everyone.
It does not physically or socially segregate, discriminate or isolate.

Question 3

What is discrimination?

Answer 3

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, religion, age, sex or disability.

Question 4

What legislation contributes to creating inclusive environments?

Answer 4

The Equality Act 2010.
BS (British Standard) 8300 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment.
Approved Doc M

Question 5

What is part M of the Building Regulations ?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is the Equality Act 2010 ?

Answer 6

The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination and unfair treatment and promotes a fair and equal society.
It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations.

Question 7

What are the equality act protected characteristics ?

Answer 7

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation.

Question 8

What did the equality Act incorporate ?

Answer 8

It brings together over 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act.
The Equal Pay Act 1970
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975
The Race Relations Act 1976
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006
The Equality Act 2006, Part 2
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007

Question 9

What are the key points contained within Part M Access to and use of Buildings?

Answer 9

Volume 1 - Dwellings
* M4(1) – Category 1: Visitable Dwellings
* M4(2) – Category 2: Accessible and adaptable dwellings
* M4(3) – Category 3: Wheelchair user dwellings

Question 10

Why are inclusive environments important?

Answer 10

A growing body of research indicates that diverse and inclusive teams outperform their peers. Companies with inclusive talent practices in hiring, promotion, development, leadership, and team management generate up to 30 percent higher revenue per employee and greater profitability than their competitors.

Question 11

What are five key principles of Inclusive Design?

Answer 11

People first - Places people at the heart of the design process by involving as many people as possible on the design.
Diversity & Difference - Acknowledges diversity and difference.
Choice - Inclusive design offers choice.
Flexibility - Inclusive design provides flexibility in use.
Positive experience - Inclusive design provides environments that are convenient and enjoyable to use for everyone.

Question 12

What is the four stage process for inclusive design?

Answer 12

Vision Stage - Highlighting considerations from the outset like accessibility from say a bus stop or drop off point.
Design Stage - Location and design effects on how people will benefit. Provides an opportunity to address any inequalities.
Construction Stage - Tackle any issues as they materialise and consider the impact on local people and users.
In-use Stage - The use of places having an effect on whether we find them friendly.

Question 13

How does Approved Doc M apply to this competency?

Answer 13

Information on the ease of access to and use, of buildings. This includes facilities for disabled visitors or occupants and how they move through a building easily - including toilets and bathrooms.
Guidance on the use of ramps and steps with information on degrees of pitch and dimensions for wheelchair accessibility.
Guidance on the construction of accessible stairs and corridors is addressed, including the safe height of stairs and accessible width of corridors and stairs.
Guidance on access and use of extensions made to buildings other than dwellings.
Stair nosings etc.

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is Neurodiversity ?

Answer 15

Refers to variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions in a non-pathological sense.
It was coined in 1998 by sociologist Judy Singer, who helped popularize the concept along with journalist Harvey Blume.

Question 16

What is the inclusive employer mark and what are the four principals ?

Answer 16

It aims to drive behaviour change by encouraging all organisations, large and small, to look carefully at their employment practices and have inclusivity at the heart of what they do.
Leadership - demonstrable commitment at the highest level to increasing the diversity of the workforce
Recruitment - engage and attract new people to the industry from under-represented groups; best practice recruitment methods
Culture - an inclusive culture where all staff engage with developing, delivering, monitoring and assessing diversity and inclusivity
Development - training and promotion policies that offer equal access to career progression to all members of the workforce

Question 17

How can a building be inclusive?

Answer 17

Physical access i.e. ramps or lifts
Hearing loops
Accessible parking bays
Contrasting colours in key elements of the building i.e. stair nosings

Question 18

What is a hostile environment ?

Answer 18

A hostile work environment is created by a boss or co-worker whose actions, communication, or behaviour make doing your job impossible.

Question 19

What is the Bank of Scotland V Allan 2009 Case Law ?

Answer 19

The Court of Appeal found a bank to be in breach of the reasonable adjustment duty, because its main branch in Sheffield was not accessible to wheelchair users.
Even if banking services could be accessed in alternative ways, such as over the internet, the policy of the Disability Discrimination Act was to provide a service as close as reasonably possible to that available to people generally, which included physical access to branches. The court awarded an injunction requiring the bank to install a lift to give wheelchair access, and awarded compensation.

Question 20

L1 - What part of the building regulations aims to enhance inclusivity?

Answer 20

Part M - Access to and Use of Buildings.

Question 21

L1 - How do you ensure that buildings can provide an inclusive environment for disabled people?

Answer 21

By following the building regulations and complying with the requirements.

Question 22

L1 - Name some of the assistance components that you may come across in a building to ensure that it provides inclusion for all?

Answer 22

Inclusive design, such as ramps, handrails, brail.
Building regs part M and the equality act provide guidance on this.