Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What is the definition of an inclusive environment?
Inclusive environments enable everyone to access equal opportunities an environment presents, regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender, faith, economic circumstances etc.
What should an inclusive environment create?
A workplace where people with all kinds of differences and disabilities feel welcome and valued for their contributions.
What should inclusive environments facilitate?
An inclusive environment should facilitate differences in the way people use the environment
What industry guidance are you aware of?
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.
Why is it important to provide choice?
Choice allows for equal opportunities
How do you promote diversity of user needs?
Being aware, promoting diversity, mixing up teams
How do you promote inclusive environments?
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.
Tell me about the diversity of user needs.
User diversity is the condition of having a broad set of knowledge, experience, and background in the user population of an organisation.
What is cultural change? How can this be problematic? How can this be achieved?
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.
Explain the principles of direct and indirect discrimination
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.
What legislation contributes to creating inclusive environments
The Equality Act 2010
Tell me about the NPPF in regards to inclusive environments.
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.
Tell me about which building regulation is relevant in regards to inclusive environments.
Part M - sets out the minimum legal requirements for promoting access to and the use of buildings
What are key requirements for inclusive environments?
Access, choice, meeting minimum standards, acknowledgement
On what scales might you advise on inclusive environments?
For valuation we make comment on whether the property has adhered to the Equality Act i.e., access for disabled users.
What is inclusive or universal design?
The design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors
What is economic inequality?
Unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society
What is social cohesion?
Refers to the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community
What is gentrification? What issues might it cause in relation to inclusive environments?
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.
What are the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?
Age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation
What are examples of auxiliary aids and services?
Sign language interpreters
Speech-to-text programs
Text-to-speech programs
Screen readers
What is an unconscious bias?
Learned stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, deeply ingrained, universal and able to influence behaviour
Why is it important to have choice?
It allows equal opportunities
What is workplace diversity?
Acceptance and inclusion of employees from all backgrounds
Explain your understanding of inclusion in the workplace.
An inclusive industry where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and respect.
What is your understanding of the RICS inclusive employer quality mark?
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.
What is the RICS doing to improve diversity and inclusion?
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.
