One of the key aims of the planning system is to ensure that the
environment is designed for use by everyone whatever age, gender or
disability ('inclusive design'). Poor design of buildings and
spaces causes unnecessary physical barriers for people with
disabilities.
It is important that the needs of people with disabilities are
taken into account as an integral part of the planning process.
Improving access by design is a material planning consideration and
as a result developers/individual applicants are encouraged to
provide reasonable access as part of their schemes.
Why Improve Access?
Disability Discrimination Act 2005
If you provide a service to the public you now have a duty under
the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 to ensure that it is
reasonably accessible/'barrier free' for people with disabilities
to use. This legislation affects a wide range of organisations from
national firms, local businesses to community and voluntary groups.
Examples of services affected include local corner shops, cafes,
pubs, dentists, village halls, local government offices etc.
From October 2004 service providers now have to take
'reasonable' steps to remove physical features/barriers to access
which make it unreasonably difficult for people with disabilities
to use their service.
These barriers include any features arising from the design or
construction of a building and any fixtures and fittings, such as
high steps, snagged, lack of WC facilities, narrow entrance doors
and inaccessible parking. These features can include external
facilities/open spaces such as seating in the street, public
footpaths etc.
Failing to make
reasonable access improvements could result in a court case and
fine.
What is considered as 'reasonable' will vary from case to case.
Individual circumstances will be taken into account. For example
what is expected of a large national retailer will be very
different to that expected of a local community group with limited
resources.
Good Business Sense
It makes good business sense to ensure your service/premises are
accessible. There are nearly 9 million people with serious
disabilities in the UK and if you include their family and friends
that is a lot of untapped spending power.
Good Customer Care
Improving access will make your service easier for a lot more
people to use, including parents with pushchairs, children/shopping
in tow, as well as older and larger people.
By providing equal access for more people this 'inclusive
design' approach will help tackle social exclusion.
What You Should Be Doing - Your Action Plan
- Identify the barriers to access i.e. physical features
- Identify solutions (via an access survey or audit)
- Plan Improvements
- Prioritise & Implement
- Maintain and advertise them
When improving design it is advisable to adopt a 'good practice
approach'. Details of design standards can be found in BS (British
Standard) 8300
'Design of Buildings & Their Approaches to meet the standards
of Disabled People - Code of Practice' 2001. Minimum design
standards can be found in Part M of The Building Regulations 2004
edition.