Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What is the difference between ethical issues opposed to legal requirements?
Legal standards/requirements are implemented by governments either via statue or common law. Ethical standards on the other hand are derived from moral principles
What is an inclusive environment?
Inclusive Environment is one that can be accessed and used safely, easily and with dignity by everyone,
Itdoes not physically or socially segregate, discriminate or isolate
and is well designed, functional, efficient and sustainable,
and delivers an enhanced user experience.
Where would you go to access best practice standards in your country of practice?
Best practice can be found in the ‘Black Book’ – these are a suite of guidance notes that define good technical standards for QS and construction professionals.
For example there is black books on change control and cost management, cost reporting and final account.
How would you recognise diversity of users needs in your practice?
Accept people’s differences but find common ground. …
Learn something new from people that are different to you, don’t shut it down. …
Make sure you give everyone a chance to have an opinion. …
Avoid using stereotypes and recognise and address your own bias
Can you name me some local planning policy, building regulation and health and safety requirements as applied to inclusive environments?
The Equality Act 2010
Approved Document M of the Building Regulations
National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF)
BS8300
What is inclusive design?
inclusive design is ‘making places everyone can use’. This removes barriers creating undue effort and separation, enabling all users to ‘participate equally, confidently and independently in everyday environments’.
Who is responsible for inclusive design?
Simply put, we all are. Surveyors are involved in all aspects of the property lifecycle, including site acquisition, design, construction, management and use. Providing inclusive and accessible environments should be an integral part of everything we do.
This should not just be to comply with minimum legislation and regulations, but to go one step further – satisfying our ethical, moral and professional duty to consider all user needs in our advice and decision making.
What are the key principles of inclusive design?
The CIC (Construction Industry Council) set out five key principles for inclusive design:
* 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
How can inclusive design be achieved?
By incorporating the following standards, laws and framework when designing:
1. Equality Act 2010
2. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
3. Approved Document M
4. British Standard BS 8300
5. Changing Places campaign
What does the Equality Act 2010 say about inclusive environments?
The Equality Act of 2010, which replaced earlier Disability Discrimination Acts, mandates that disabled individuals should not face barriers to access premises. If such barriers lead to substantial disadvantages compared to non-disabled individuals, service providers must make reasonable adjustments. These adjustments go beyond just physical access and can include changes in service delivery methods, as well as the provision of aids or services like hearing loops or visual aids.
What is reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes an employer makes to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to someone’s disability
- Reasonable adjustments can be a change to the way things are done, changing a physical feature (e.g. steps and stairs) and providing extra aids or services.
What does the NPPF say about inclusive environments?
Section 8 of the latest NPPF relates to the provision of healthy, inclusive and safe places.
These should ‘promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users’.
This emphasises that high quality, inclusive design is a key principle of sustainable development, going beyond just aesthetic factors.
The NPPF defines ‘inclusive design’ as “designing the built environment, including buildings and their surrounding spaces, to ensure that they can be accessed and used by everyone.”
Good design can help to create buildings and places that are for everyone. Planning can help break down unnecessary physical barriers and exclusions caused by the poor design of buildings and places.
Inclusive design acknowledges diversity and difference and is more likely to be achieved when it is considered at every stage of the development process, from inception to completion.
What is Approved Document M of the Building Regulations?
Approved Document M 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 is split into Volume 1 Dwellings and Volume 2 Buildings other than Dwellings.
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.-
What is BS 8300?
BS 8300 was introduced in 2018, split into two parts; Part 1 BS 8300-1:2018 and Part 2 BS 8300-2:2018. BS 8300 goes beyond the minimum requirements set out in the Approved Document Part M.
Part 1 provides guidance relating to the accessible and inclusive design of new public spaces.
Part 2 relates to internal design to meet all user requirements. It does not apply to individual residential dwellings.
The guidance relates to issues such as lighting external areas, ramp gradients and rises, accessible viewing for audience seating, sanitary facilities, WC layout and baby change facilities.
What is the Changing Places campaign?
Launched in 2006 by the Changing Places Consortium.
It aims to provide toilet facilities which are safe, comfortable and accessible for those who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
Changing Places toilets will have adequate space and facilities, e.g. height adjustable changing benches and hoists, to meet a variety of user requirements.
Research suggests that over 250,000 people in the UK would benefit from the provision of Changing Places toilets, including users living with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
FYI - Approved Doc M - volume 2 that planners can find guidance on Changing Places toilets and their inclusion in new buildings.
