Inclusive Environments (Level 1) - General Flashcards
Equality Act 2010?
It provides a single, comprehensive and clear legal framework relating to disadvantage and discrimination.
Legally protects people against discrimination (at work and in society) .
9 protected characteristics?
Gender reassignment
Sex
Sexual orientation
Age
Disability
Race
Religion or belief
Marriage and partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
4 Types of Illegal Discrimination?
Direct discrimination
Indirect discrimination
Harassment
Victimization
What is an inclusive environment?
An inclusive environment is one which is designed and managed to allow people with a diverse range of
needs and abilities to access and use it (workplaces, shops etc.)
Equality definition?
Ensuring all individuals have equal rights and opportunities.
Are there any Building Regulations associated with inclusive environments?
Part M of Building Regulations
Relates to 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 to toilets and bathrooms’. Vol 2 relates to buildings other than Dwellings.
Guidance given on 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.
Note: Building Regulations set standards for construction to ensure health and safety for ALL including those with disabilities.
Is there a British Standard relating to inclusive design?
BS 8300-2:2018 goes beyond the minimum requirements set out in the Approved Document Part M. Part 1 provides guidance relating to the accessible and inclusive design of new public spaces. Part 2 relates to internal design to meet all user requirements.
What is the NPPF?
National Planning Policy Framework
Section 8 of the latest NPPF relates to the provision of healthy, inclusive and safe places.
What are the penalties under Equality Act?
Fine of up to £5,000
Can you give tangible examples of how a building can be inclusive?
- Physical access, e.g. ramps or lifts for wheelchair users
- Accessible parking bays adjacent to the building entrance.
- Contrasting colours in key elements of the building such as stair nosing’s (to assist the partially sighted)
What are some benefits of providing an inclusive environment?
Ultimately, an inclusive environment ensures equal opportunity for everyone; this helps to promote diversity and inclusion.
How would you assess the suitability of a client’s building when considering user needs not specifically covered under Building Regulations Part M?
An Access Audit should be carried out to understand the client’s obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and forms the basis of a plan of action.
What is an access audit?
An Access Audit is an assessment of a building or environment against best-practice standards to benchmark its accessibility to disabled people.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes that employers are required to make to avoid discrimination against disabled people. Under the 2010 Act, service providers and employers must make reasonable adjustments to allow disabled users equal access to opportunities, services and the built environment.
Give the tests for ‘reasonableness’?
Effectiveness of the adjustment for the disabled person
The practicality of the adjustment
Its financial cost and likely disruption
Financial and other resources available to the service provided
Other than physically inclusive environments, is there anything else that should be considered when talking about inclusive environments?
I think designing for those who are neurodivergent (i.e. autism, dementia, ADHD) is the next step in terms of achieving a more inclusive environment and society.
More on Shopmobility
ShopMobility UK is a nationwide network of centres which hire out mobility equipment to the public. So people with restricted mobility can enjoy independence.
