Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What is the Equality Act 2010?
It is law which protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
What are the Protected Characteristics?
There are 9:
Disability
Relgion
Age
Gender reassignment
RACE
Marriage
Maternity
Sex
Sexual orientation
Under the Equality Act when are you protected?
in the workplace
use public services like healthcare (for example, visiting your doctor or local hospital) or education (for example, at your school or college)
use businesses and other organisations that provide services and goods (like shops, restaurants, and cinemas)
use transport
join a club or association (for example, your local tennis club)
have contact with public bodies like your local council or government departments
What are the different forms of discrimination?
Direct Discrimination
Indirect Discrimination
Harassment
Victimisation
What is direct discrimination?
when you’re treated differently and worse than someone else for certain reasons.
What is indirect discrimitaion?
when there is a practice policy which applies to everyone in the same way but has a worse effect some people than others. the equality act says she at a particular disadvantage.
What is harrassment?
unwanted behaviour which you find offensive which makes you feel intimidated. it can happen on its own or alongside other forms of discrimination
What is victimisation?
when somebody treats you badly or subjects you to a detriment because you complain about discrimination or help someone who’s been the victim of discrimination.
Can you give an example of a public service which is not all inclusive?
The underground.
Is cost an element to consider in relation to making an environment inclusive?
Yes, reasonable test within the Equality Act 2010.
If it is financially unviable to undertake the work, then it is not reasonable to.
Under the Equality Act, who is responsible for ensuring environments are inclusive?
Either the property owner or property manager.
Inclusive design is the responsibility of everyone who works in the built environment.
How does the Equality Act 2010 relate to property professionals?
Lettings or sales cannot be undertaken in a way which discriminates, harasses or victimises a person.
What options are available to a service provider under the Equality Act if an environment is not inclusive?
- remove or alter feature
- Provide reasonable means of avoiding it
What does a “reasonable requirement” mean in relation to the Equality Act 2010?
The action is financially viable and practical
They can be changes to policies working practices or physical layouts providing extra equipment of support.
Buildings the equality act requires reasonable adjustments to be made in relation to accessibility. In practice this means that due regard must be given to any specific need of likely building users might be reasonably met.
Why is creating an inclusive environment important?
Not only due to Legislation, but also due to improving and helping the lives of those who would otherwise suffer.
Are there penalties under the Equality Act 2010?
Can make a discrimination claim in the civil court to receive compensation for injury to feelings and loss of earnings.
What does the term inclusive environments mean?
An inclusive environment is one that facilitates dignified and intuitive use by everyone does not physically or socially separate discriminate or isolate it readily accommodates and welcomes diverse users need - RICS definition
Aim of inclusive environment
Ensuring property does not physically or socially separate, discriminate or isolate
Accommodates and welcomes a range of user needs
Primary legislation
Equality Act 2010
Health and safety at work act 1974
Emlpoyment Act 2002
Secondary legislationto inclusive environment
NPPF
Building regs – Part M ‘Access to & Use off Builings’
Fire Safety
British Standards eg BS8300 (design suitable for disabled)
Equality Act reference to inclusive environments
Section 20: duty to make adjustments
Must make REASONABLE adjustments if there is a feature that puts a disabled person at a disadvantage
Importance to note when making adjustments
Must be reasonable in terms of cost extent and disruption
Ways to modify buildings
Braille
Coloured doorways
Ramps and lifts
Electric doors
Widened doorways
Tell me about the Equality Act 2010 the measures it takes to promote inclusion.
Places Duty on Service providers
Take reasonable steps to avoid provision which puts disabled person at disadvantage
Avoid physical feature which puts disabled person at disadvantage
Provide auxiliary aid were, without it a disabled person would be at disadvantage
What is Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?
4 key principles:
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
Duties under equality act 2010?
Employers have legal obligation to comply with act and eliminate discrimination from workplace.
Tell me about the RICS’ Diversity and Inclusion strategy?
From RICS - the surveying profession needs a more diverse workforce in order to utilise the in its innovative skills and technologies required by customers in the built and natural environments. It is our responsibility to tackle barriers to entry and encourage a more diverse profession.
RICS has been committed to raising the awareness of surveying and the ambition for the profession to be more diverse. The inclusive employer equality mark is a response to the sector striving to move towards a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
In 2015 RICS launched the inclusive employer quality Mark. It is based on four clear key principles.
Leadership, Recruitment, Culture, Development
what you understand by diversity?
brings together different groups.
what you understand by neuro diversity?
new area which is just starting to become understood. includes mental conditions:
- dyslexia
- ADHD
- Aspergers
- dyspraxia
what is a reasonable adjustment and why
A duty on service providers and those exercising public functions to make reasonable adjustments
duty not to discriminate against or victimise someone in selling and letting premises
reasonable adjustments duty on controllers premises (i.e. landlords and management companies) in relation to let premises and common parts.
examples of reasonable adjustments?
Equality Act 2010
Physical
- providing ramps and stairway lifts
- making doors wider
- installing automatic doors
- providing more lighting and clearer signage
auxiliary aids and services
- are portable induction loop the people with hearing aids
- BSL interpreters
- providing information on alternative formats such as Braille and audio CDs
- extra staff
what are the key factors to assess a building suitability?
is there access are bought public transport to the building
are the pavements outside in good condition with dropped curbs
is there access will parking near the entrance
is the main entrance easy to identify distinct colour and shape
does the entrance have accessible doors
does the entrance have a ramp access
is the floor nonslip with adequate wheelchair circulation space
what are the five new rules of conduct?
implemented Feb 2022
- members of firms must be honest act with integrity and can lie with their professional obligations including obligations to RICS
- members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals
- members and firms must provide good quality intelligence service
- members and firms must treat others with respect
- members and firms must act in the public interest take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public
what is RICS defining future?
to ensure that RICS is diverse and inclusive and is equipped to serve all members
How other global ethical standards linked to inclusive environments?
Act with integriity
always provide a high standard of service
act in a way that promotes trust in the profession
treat others with respect
take responsibility
What is an inclusive environment?
- ‘one that can be accessed and used safely, easily and with dignity by everyone’
- ‘does not physically or socially segregate, discriminate or isolate’
- ‘is well designed, functional, efficient and sustainable, and delivers an enhanced user experience’.
What is inclusive design?
Inclusive design is defined as ‘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?
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?
Equality Act 2010
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Approved Document M
British Standard BS 8300
Changing Places campaign
What does the Equality Act 2010 say about inclusive environments?
The Equality Act 2010 replaced the Disability Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005. Section 20 states that disabled individuals should not face barriers to access premises.
If a barrier is faced and the disabled individual is put at a substantial disadvantage in relation to a non-disabled individual, then the service provider is under an obligation to make reasonable adjustments to facilitate access.
This extends beyond the duty just to facilitate physical access, e.g. through ramps or lift access. It also relates to the way in which services are provided, which could include auxiliary aids such as hearing loops or visual aids.
Reasonable adjustments can be made through changing the way that things are done, changing physical features or providing additional 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.
