Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What is an inclusive Environment?

Answer 1

• RICS defines – principles that deliver accessible and inclusive environments recognising diversity of user needs and need to put people at heart of process.
• Applies to all buildings, places and spaces and equipment
• Facilitates one environment which is equal to use by everyone.

Question 2

Importance of inclusive environments

Answer 2

• Builds Trust, loyalty & employee satisfaction
• Improved social impact on a business
• To encourage good, sound ethical basis for decisions

Question 3

Purpose of inclusive buildings

Answer 3

• To ensure buildings / open spaces are inclusive for everyone and can use safely based on user needs.
• Accessibility needs to be considered from various users’ perspectives, physically and socially.
• e.g. 775mm door opening dimension

Question 4

Good awareness of Inclusive Environments

Answer 4

• Different physical and mental health issues which may lead to varying accessibility requirements
• Factors which can lead to social isolation
• Policy and legal requirements relating to accessibility, including local planning policies, building regulations, Equality Act 2010 and health and safety law

Question 5

What legislation relates to Inclusive Environments

Answer 5

Equality Act 2010

Question 6

What does the Equality Act do in terms of inclusive environment

Answer 6

• Provides protection against a wide range of discrimination and inequality, including the use of the property as well as when dealing with people
• Required to make reasonable adjustments to help disabled people if they would be placed at a substantial disadvantage if the works were not carried out
• Landlords need to ensure all dealings with the tenant or occupier who could have a protected characteristic are dealt with in accordance to the act
• Service providers have a duty to make alterations to a building to avoid disability discrimination or make an alternative provision of the service. These must be “reasonable” in terms of cost, extent and disruption.
• Need for an access statement / audit for all properties. This sets out details of access arrangements and alternative arrangements if access cannot be reasonably provided for a disabled person
• Most requirements embedded in Part M of the Building Regulations

Question 7

4 types of illegal discrimination (alongside 9 protected characteristics)

Answer 7

• Direct Discrimination
• Indirect Discrimination
• Harassment
• Victimisation – illegal to victimise an occupier

Question 8

What are the 9 protected characteristics

Answer 8

• Equality Act 2010 – covers 9 protective characteristics
  o Gender/gender identity
  o Age
  o Race
  o Marriage and civil partnership
  o Pregnancy and maternity
  o Sexual orientation
  o Disability
  o Religion or belief
  o Sex

Question 9

What would be a reasonable adjustment for a building?

Answer 9

• If there are steps at the entrance, install a ramp or an accessible chairlift
• Unreasonable would be high cost such as replacing the entire lift core etc. to make accessible.

Question 10

What are the Construction Industry Councils (CIC) keys principles of inclusive design?

Answer 10

• People at the heart of design process
• Acknowledging diversity
• Offering choice
• Flexibility in use
• Convenient and enjoyable environment for all

Question 11

Building Regulations – Document M

Answer 11

• Enforces inclusive environments
• Sets out minimum requirements for ease of access to and use of buildings
• Facilities for disabled visitors / occupiers
• E.g. ramps, steps, building dimension wheelchair access, lifts, braille signage for blind, hearing loops

Question 12

What does the NPPF say about inclusive environments?

Answer 12

• National Planning policy Framework
• Sec.8 provision of healthy, inclusive and safe spaces
• Promote health and wellbeing
• High quality inclusive design key for sustainable development