Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What is an inclusive environment?
A space designed + managed to be accessed + used by everyone
Facilities dignified, equal + intuitive use by all
Doesn’t physically or socially separate, discriminate or isolate
Readily accommodates + welcomes diverse user needs
Where can the definition of an inclusive environment be found?
National Planning Policy Framework
Why is creating an inclusive environment important?
They facilitate dignified, equal + intuitive use by everyone
They do not physically or socially separate, discriminate or isolate
Goes further than just complying with minimum legislative requirements – it is a moral, ethical + professional duty for everyone involved in built + natural environments
What impact can inclusive environments have on property values?
Properties which can meet needs of all are likely to be more valuable
Inclusive properties will see less voids, need lower incentives + achieve higher rents/values than those that don’t
Do inclusive environments go beyond minimum standards/legislative requirements?
Yes
What can inclusive environments do?
Creates buildings, places and spaces that can be used easily, safely and with dignity, by all of us, regardless of age, disability or gender
Provides choice, is convenient and avoids unnecessary effort, separation or segregation
Recognises that we all benefit from improved accessibility, including disabled people, older people + families with children, carers + those of us who do not consider ourselves to be disabled
What do inclusive environments require?
Inclusive planning, design + management
Why is it important to provide choice?
So that you do not isolate or discriminate against others
How do you promote diversity of user needs?
Promote inclusive design to ensure environments are accessible + usable by everyone, regardless of abilities or backgrounds
Provide training to employees on importance of diversity + inclusion
Implement firm wide policies
Encourage involvement from employees – seek feedback + seek participation
How do you promote inclusive environments?
Ensure spaces are designed to accommodate different user’s needs, including those with disabilities
Educate staff + stakeholders about the importance of inclusivity
Comply with laws, including the Equality Act 2010
How do you in particular promote inclusive environments?
Make an effort to recognise + challenge unconscious bias
Participate in training offered by my firm
Make an effort to talk to everyone in the office including those in different teams
How is your office inclusive?
It is accessible to all with lifts, disabled toilets + wide doors
There are multi-faith rooms + quiet meeting rooms where people can work without distractions
Open-plan main office space encourages interaction
Kitchen space + breakout room with seating areas for relaxation + socialising
What is cultural change?
Adoption of new values, beliefs + behaviours within an organisation
What may cultural change involve?
New policies + processes
Change in leadership or management structure
Adopting new beliefs or behaviours
How can cultural change be successfully implemented in an organisation?
Involve + encourage involvement from employees
Clear communication - reasons for change, benefits + plan for implementation
Active training
How can cultural change be problematic?
People are comfortable with way of doing things + fear the unknown
Miscommunications - if reasons for change are not clearly communicated
People may feel values + identities are being challenged
May have conflicting interests
What is inclusive design?
Making places everyone can use
Enables all users to participate equally, confidently + independent in everyday environments
What are the 5 inclusive design principles?
- People first
- Diversity + difference
- Choice
- Flexibility
- Positive experience
When should inclusive design be introduced?
From the outset, ideally not by additions or adaptations
Does inclusive design relate only to physical access?
No
What else, apart from physical access, might inclusive design include?
Anything removing barriers that create undue effort + separation
Anything enabling everyone to participate equally, confidently + independently in everyday activities
What should people not experience due to design?
Segregation
Special treatment
What is economic inequality?
Substantial differences in income in a population
What is gentrification?
Process where the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing + attracting new businesses
Often involves displacing current inhabitants
What is the main problem of gentrification?
Existing businesses + residents are forced out to find lower cost accommodation
What issues might gentrification cause?
Loss of community
Displace residents
Change or loss in culture
What is social cohesion?
Extent to which society is connected, integrated + share common beliefs
What is economic equality?
Differences in how assets, wealth or income are distributed among individuals + populations
What is the key legislation relating to equality + accessibility in the UK?
Equality Act 2010
What is the Equality Act 2010?
Law which protects people from discrimination, harassment + victimisation
Provides protection for people identified by 9 characteristics
What anti-discrimination laws did the Equality Act 2010 replace?
The Sex Discrimination Act
The Race Relations Act
The Disability Discrimination Act
What does the Equality Act 2010 relate to?
Design of built environment
Management of built environment
Services + processes associated with built environment
What are the 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010? (MADGSRSPR)
- Marriage + civil partnership
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Sex
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Pregnancy + maternity
- Race
When are you protected?
In the workplace
When using public services, e.g. healthcare or education
When use businesses/organisations that provide goods + services, e.g. shops, restaurants
When use transport
When join club or association, e.g. tennis club
When have contact with public bodies, e.g. local council or government departments
Can you give me an example of a public service which is not all inclusive?
The underground
Only 92 out of the 272 stations are wheelchair accessible
Who does the Equality Act 2010 place a duty on?
Service providers + bodies exercising a public function
Controllers (landlord or management company) of let residential premises + common parts
Agents + landlords
What are the duties under the Equality Act 2010?
A duty on service providers + bodies exercising a public function to make reasonable adjustments where someone is disadvantaged because of a disability (aims to provide equal access for disabled users to goods, services + premises)
A duty on controllers (landlord or management company) to ensure any dealings with tenant or occupier who could have a protected characteristics are dealt with in accordance with Act’s provisions. Includes making reasonable adjustments in relation to let premises + common parts
A duty not to discriminate based on any protected characteristic in selling or letting properties (aimed at agents + landlords)
What does PSED stand for?
Public Sector Equality Duty
What is PSED?
Public Sector Equality Duty
Duty was created under Equality Act 2010
Extends duty of public bodies to consider how their policies + decision-making affect individuals under broader protected characteristics of Act
Can both the PSED and Equality Act 2010 apply to a public authority?
Yes
What does the PSED require authorities to do?
Eliminate unlawful discrimination
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t
Foster/encourage good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t
What might a reasonable adjustment include?
Changing how things are done, e.g. new rule or policy
Providing an auxiliary aid, e.g. British Sign Language interpreter
Changing physical features, e.g. widening doorways, ramps, lifts, automatic doors or more signage
What does ‘reasonable’ relate to the effectiveness of? (APCED)
Adjustment
Practicality
Cost
Extent
Disruption
Under the Equality Act, who is responsible for ensuring environments are inclusive?
Property owner or property manager
Inclusive design is the responsibility of everyone who works in 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
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
Does the anticipatory duty and requirement for the provision of reasonable adjustments relate only to disability?
Yes
Is there a duty on landlords and agents not to unreasonably refuse consent to alterations?
Yes
If a service provider fails to make reasonable adjustments, what can a service user do?
Take legal action under the Act
How can the Equality Act 2010 be enforced?
Individuals can take case to court if they experience discrimination
Equality Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can take action. They can investigate organisations + offer organisations the opportunity to enter into an agreement if they think organisation has breached Equality Act 2010
As well as identifying the 9 protected characteristics, what else does the Equality Act 2010 identify?
4 types of discrimination
What is Approved Document M of the Building Regulations?
Relates to minimum requirements for access to + use of buildings
Includes requirements for door widths, lifts + WCs
Volume 1 = dwellings, volume 2 = buildings other than dwellings
Which Approved Document of the Building Regulations relate to accessibility?
Part M
Do building regulations go beyond meeting minimum standards or legislative requirements?
No - they relate to minimum requirements ONLY
Does compliance with Part M guarantee inclusive design and compliance with the Equality Act 2010?
No. It only provides minimum requirements
Does not guarantee buildings will be accessible to all
Equality Act has broader obligations, requiring adjustments beyond minimum standards set by Building Regulations
Do you need to comply with both the Building Regulations and Equality Act 2010?
Yes
What does NPPF say about inclusive environments?
Identifies need for planning policies and decisions to create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being
What is Approved Document K?
Part of building regulations in England
Provides guidelines for protection from falling, collision + impact in + around buildings
What does Approved Document K say about inclusive design?
Emphasises safety in building design to prevent falls, collisions + impacts
Provides guidelines for staircases, ladders + ramps, guarding + barriers, doors + windows
Measures contribute to inclusive design by making buildings safer + more accessible
What is Approved Document B?
Part of building regulations in England
Provides guidelines to ensure buildings are designed + constructed to protect occupants from fire hazards
Includes standards for means of escape, fire spread + fire protection/alarms
What does Approved Document B say about inclusive design?
Emphasises inclusive design by ensuring fire safety measures are accessible by everyone
This includes means of escape + fire alarms/detection systems
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
Piece of fire safety legislation in England + Wales to ensure buildings are safe from fire hazards
Requires individuals responsible for non-domestic premises to conduct fire risk assessments, implement fire safety measures + maintain fire precautions
What does the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 say about inclusive design?
Must identify needs of disabled users
Must ensure proper evacuation arrangements are in place
What is the Building Safety Act 2022?
Legislation aimed at improving building safety, especially in high-rise residential buildings
Introduced in response to Grenfell Tower tragedy
Sits alongside Fire Safety Act 2021
How does the Building Safety Act 2022 relate to inclusive environments?
Act’s emphasis on safety + accountability indirectly supports inclusivity by ensuring that buildings are safe + accessible for all occupants
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021?
Legislation relating to fire safety responsibilities in multi-occupied buildings
Arose from Grenfell Tower Fire + amends Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
How does the Fire Safety Act 2021 relate to inclusive environments?
Require the Responsible Person (person in control of premises) to prepare a fire risk assessment, including needs of disabled users
Consider installing smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light, smoke alarms with a strobe light or emergency call system
PEEP should be prepared for users who have difficulty exiting building in emergency
What is a PEEP + what does it stand for?
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
Customised escape plan designed for individuals who need assistance/special arrangements to safely evacuate a building during an emergency
Ensures that everyone, regardless of mobility or other impairments can reach place of safety
What is BS 8300?
Introduced in 2018
Goes beyond minimum requirements set out in Approved Document Part M
Part 1 provides guidance relating to accessible + inclusive design of new public spaces
Part 2 relates to internal design to meet all user requirements. Does not apply to individual residential dwellings
Guidance on lighting external areas, ramp gradients and rises, accessible viewing for audience seating, sanitary facilities, WC layout + baby change facilities
What is the Changing Places campaign?
Launched in 2006 by Changing Places Consortium
Aims to provide toilet facilities which are safe, comfortable + accessible for those who cannot use standard accessible toilets
