Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What are inclusive environments?
• An inclusive environment recognises and accommodates differences in the way people use the built and natural environment.
• It facilitates dignified, equal, and intuitive use by everyone. It does not physically or socially separate, discriminate, or isolate. Inclusive environments readily accommodate and welcome diverse user needs
What is discrimination?
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, religion, age, sex, or disability
Are there any Building Regulations relevant to inclusive environments?
Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings.
Can you provide a summary of how Approved Document M applies to this competency?
• Approved Document M provides information about 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 access to toilets and bathrooms.
• Guidance on the use of ramps and steps is covered to provide ease of access, with information including safe degrees of pitch and dimensions when building a wheelchair-accessible facility. The construction of accessible stairs and corridors is also addressed, including the safe height of stairs and the accessible width of both corridors and stairs.
• The document also provides guidance on the access and use of extensions made to buildings other than dwellings and access to toilets, bathrooms, and sinks within these structures.
Can you provide tangible examples of features that can make a building inclusive for its users?
• Physical access, e.g., ramps or lifts for wheelchair users.
• Hearing loops.
• Dedicated feeding areas for new parents.
• Accessible parking bays adjacent to the building entrance.
• Contrasting colours are used in key elements of the building such as stair nosings, door frames, and plug sockets (to assist the partially sighted)
What is the key regulation that legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society?
Equality Act 2010.
What is the Equality Act 2010?
• A discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and equal society.
• The Act provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all
What are protected characteristics under the Act?
It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:
• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion and belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• These are called protected characteristics.
