Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 1

It is law which protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Question 2

What are the Protected Characteristics?

Answer 2

There are 9:

DRAG RACE MMSS

1. Disability
2. Relgion
3. Age
4. Gender reassignment
5. RACE
6. Marriage
7. Maternity
8. Sex
9. Sexual orientation

Question 3

When are you protected?

Answer 3

1. Workplace
2. Public services (i.e. healthcare or education)
3. Places that offer service (supermarket, shops)
4. Transport
5. Clubs
6. Contact with local government

Question 4

What are the different forms of discrimination?

Answer 4

1. Direct Discrimination
2. Indirect Discrimination
3. Harassment
4. Victimisation

Question 5

What is direct discrimination?

Answer 5

Where you directly treating someone worse

i.e. picking someone for a promotion and not choosing the elderly person because they are “forgetful”

Question 6

What is indirect discrimitaion?

Answer 6

Indirectly treating someone worse

i.e. putting a policy in place which effects someone with a protected characteristic and now someone without

Question 7

What is harrassment?

Answer 7

Something which creates an offensive or hostile environment.

Question 8

What is victimisation?

Answer 8

Where you are treated poorly because of you have a Protected Characteristic

Question 9

What groups does the Equality Act 2010 not cover?

Answer 9

Single, divorced or widowed people.

Only those who are married or in a civil partnership.

Question 10

What do you need to assess/consider when looking at a building and it’s relation to inclusive environments?

Answer 10

Different physical and mental health issues.

Factors which can lead to social isolation.

Policy and legal requirements i.e. planning policy and building regulations?

The value it can bring to building owners and occupiers.

Question 11

Can you give an example of a public service which is not all inclusive?

Answer 11

The underground.

Only 71 out of the 270 stations are wheelchair accessible.

Question 12

Is cost an element to consider in relation to making an environment inclusive?

Answer 12

Yes, reasonable test within the Equality Act 2010.

If it is financially unviable to undertake the work, then it is not reasonable to.

Question 13

What impact can inclusive environments have on property values?

Answer 13

Properties which are able to meet the needs of all are likely to be more valuable.

For example, a workplace would prefer to occupy a building which allows all their workforce to use it.

Therefore, inclusive properties will likely see less voids, need lower incentives and achieve higher rents/values than those that don’t.

Question 14

Under the Equality Act, who is responsible for ensuring environments are inclusive?

Answer 14

The managers/controllers of let buildings.

Those managing the building cannot discriminate or harass occupiers.

Question 15

How does the Equality Act 2010 relate to property professionals?

Answer 15

Lettings or sales cannot be undertaken in a way which discriminates, harasses or victimises a person.

Question 16

What is buildings regulations Part M?

Answer 16

Access to and use of buildings?

Question 17

What are the provisions of Part M?

Answer 17

It sets out minimum requirements to ensure a broad range of people are able to access and use facilities.

Provides guidance on the use of ramps and steps.

Question 18

What options are available to a service provider under the Equality Act if an environment is not inclusive?

Answer 18

1. remove or alter feature

2. Provide reasonable means of avoiding it

Question 19

What does a “reasonable requirement” mean in relation to the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 19

The action is financially viable and practical

Question 20

What does Chelmsford Planning Policy say in relation to inclusive environments?

Answer 20

Under the Local Plan, buildings must be designed to create safe, accessible and inclusive environments.

Question 21

What does the NPPF say about inclusive environments?

Answer 21

States that development needs to be designed to be inclusive - for individual, public and private buildings.

Inclusive in that the buildings are their surrounding spaces can be accessed and used by everyone.

Question 22

Why is creating an inclusive environment important?

Answer 22

Not only due to Legislation, but also due to improving and helping the lives of those who would otherwise suffer.

Question 23

Are there penalties under the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 23

Can make a discrimination claim in the civil court to receive compensation for injury to feelings and loss of earnings.