Buildings

Overview
Role of the working group
What we have done
What we are doing
Top Tips

Overview

Everyone should be able to get to, and use, buildings and the open spaces between them. For many people this is not currently possible due to barriers created by the design, management and operation of buildings, streets and open space.

The Government has asked DPTAC to advise on why this is the case and recommend strategic actions to address problems facing disabled people when using buildings and open space. Much is already being done.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 aims to prevent the discrimination of disabled people and provide equality of access to goods, facilities and services. By 2004 those providing goods, services and facilities will have to ensure they have addressed barriers to disabled people.

There are other requirements requiring access for disabled people, like Building Regulations, already in force. Planning authorities are advised to consider the needs of disabled people. Disabled people provide advice and make recommendations themselves, often in local access groups.

But even in new buildings disabled people experience barriers to access.

Role of the working group

The Built Environment Working Group (BEWG) was established in summer 2000.

Our main objective is to advise on improving access to the built environment for disabled people, taking into account complementary advice from other DPTAC Working Groups. We define the built environment as buildings, plus their relationship with other buildings and the public realm – or open space - between them.

Our membership includes representatives from disability interests, those concerned with the planning, design, construction and use of the built environment, housing services providers and regulators of the industry. We also have observers from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and other Government agencies.

Our role is to focus on the strategic issues. This enables DPTAC to be more effective in influencing the process and outcome in all areas rather than specific schemes. Our work helps to inform those seeking to improve access at a local level. Local people will be aware of how this guidance can be applied to local circumstances.

We advocate an inclusive design approach with regard to buildings and open space, and in the advice we give to Government.

Inclusive design is an approach that sets out to include as many people as possible. It does not attempt to meet every single need. Rather, by considering people's diversity, inclusive design tries to break down unnecessary barriers and exclusion. In doing so it will often achieve superior solutions that benefit everyone.

It is not only about design, it is also about how places are planned, managed and operated that affects access for disabled people.

What we have done

In the last twelve months we have;

• Made comments on the review of Part M of the Building Regulations and its equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Responded to the Department for Education and Employment/Disability Rights Commission consultation developing a Code of Practice for the 2004 requirements of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Responded to the DTLR consultation on the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and Local Strategic Partnerships.
• Responded to the development of the new British Standards Institute Code of Practice on access for disabled people.
• Held a meeting with the Minister for Planning and Construction Nick Raynsford to discuss our work programme.
• Held a meeting with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) on areas of common interest.
• Joined the steering group for DTLR research developing good practice on planning and access for disabled people.
• Encouraged the Government to ensure that conferences at which Ministers attend consider access for disabled people.

What we are doing

We are currently planning to do the following;

• Create a "knowledge map" of access guidance – drawing together advice and requirement as a single point of reference for practitioners and to identify any gaps.
• Review stages in development process - with a view to developing advice to those commissioning buildings on how to ensure they include the needs of disabled people.
• Continue to provide input to DDA Part III Code of Practice on the requirements for 2004 and in the review of Part M of the Building Regulations and its equivalents.
• Advise on the relationship between planning procedures and accessibility – through membership of the DTLR steering group on research in planning and access for disabled people.
• Respond to relevant consultation documents where access for disabled people should be considered.

We welcome your comments and views on any priorities not considered here. Click here to e-mail us ideas.

Top Tips

If you are a developer;

• Ensure your project team can demonstrate qualifications and competencies in access issues. Training courses are available;
• That access is included from the start of a project;
• Consider using access consultants and auditors with appropriate experience. The National Register of Access Consultants (www.nrac.org.uk) and the Access Association (www.accessassociation.co.uk);
• Include access in the project brief.
• Review access at the end of the project.

If you are a disabled person;

• Provide feedback – positive and negative – on access provision to the building occupier.
• If access makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for you to enter a building from which services are being provided you may have a case under the Disability Discrimination Act. Changes to physical features may be required by 2004.
• Consider joining or forming a local access group – RADAR provides advice.

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