Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What is the definition of an inclusive environment?

Answer 1

Inclusive environments enable everyone to access equal opportunities an environment presents, regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender, faith, economic circumstances etc.

Question 2

What should an inclusive environment create?

Answer 2

A workplace where people with all kinds of differences and disabilities feel welcome and valued for their contributions.

Question 3

What should inclusive environments facilitate?

Answer 3

An inclusive environment should facilitate differences in the way people use the environment

Question 4

What industry guidance are you aware of?

Answer 4

Equality Act 2010 - it legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society (9 protected characteristics)
BS8300 - best practices for designing an accessible and inclusive environment
Building Regulation Part M - sets out the minimum legal requirements for promoting access to and the use of buildings
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.

Question 5

Why is it important to provide choice?

Answer 5

Choice allows for equal opportunities

Question 6

How do you promote diversity of user needs?

Answer 6

Being aware, promoting diversity, mixing up teams

Question 7

How do you promote inclusive environments?

Answer 7

Employers can create inclusive environments by inclusive recruitment (i.e., recruiting a diverse range of individuals) and providing safe spaces to make employees feel comfortable. I personally can promote an inclusive environment by being kind and considerate and not discriminating against someone’s age, background etc.

Question 8

Tell me about the diversity of user needs.

Answer 8

User diversity is the condition of having a broad set of knowledge, experience, and background in the user population of an organisation.

Question 9

What is cultural change? How can this be problematic? How can this be achieved?

Answer 9

Cultural change is the process in which an organisation encourages employees to adopt behaviours and mindsets that are consistent with the organisations values and goals. It can be problematic as some people are reluctant to change. It can be achieved by collaboration over time.

Question 10

Explain the principles of direct and indirect discrimination

Answer 10

Direct discrimination targets individual employees with certain characteristics, indirect discrimination occurs when employees are all treated the same, but certain employees are put at a disadvantage because of this.

Question 11

What legislation contributes to creating inclusive environments

Answer 11

The Equality Act 2010

Question 12

Tell me about the NPPF in regards to inclusive environments.

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Tell me about which building regulation is relevant in regards to inclusive environments.

Answer 13

Part M - sets out the minimum legal requirements for promoting access to and the use of buildings

Question 14

What are key requirements for inclusive environments?

Answer 14

Access, choice, meeting minimum standards, acknowledgement

Question 15

On what scales might you advise on inclusive environments?

Answer 15

For valuation we make comment on whether the property has adhered to the Equality Act i.e., access for disabled users.

Question 16

What is inclusive or universal design?

Answer 16

The design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors

Question 17

What is economic inequality?

Answer 17

Unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society

Question 18

What is social cohesion?

Answer 18

Refers to the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community

Question 19

What is gentrification? What issues might it cause in relation to inclusive environments?

Answer 19

Gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighbourhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. It can displace low-income families or prevent them from moving into the area.

Question 20

What are the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 20

Age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation

Question 21

What are examples of auxiliary aids and services?

Answer 21

Sign language interpreters
Speech-to-text programs
Text-to-speech programs
Screen readers

Question 22

What is an unconscious bias?

Answer 22

Learned stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, deeply ingrained, universal and able to influence behaviour

Question 23

Why is it important to have choice?

Answer 23

It allows equal opportunities

Question 24

What is workplace diversity?

Answer 24

Acceptance and inclusion of employees from all backgrounds

Question 25

Explain your understanding of inclusion in the workplace.

Answer 25

An inclusive industry where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

Question 26

What is your understanding of the RICS inclusive employer quality mark?

Answer 26

The IEQM is a voluntary scheme where those who sign up are required to assess their performance bi-annually. Those who sign up are committed to improving inclusivity according to the 4 key principles.

Question 27

What is the RICS doing to improve diversity and inclusion?

Answer 27

Released a DEI strategy for 2024-25. Aims include setting benchmarks across demographic groups to understand gaps in representation and prioritise efforts to improve diversity.