Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What is the difference between inclusive environments and diversity, inclusion and teamworking?

Answer 1

Inclusive environments is about buildings, places and spaces – bricks physical side of it
Diversity and inclusion is more about people and behaviours and how you treat people

Question 2

What is an inclusive environment?

Answer 2

One which is designed and managed to allow people with a diverse range of needs and abilities to access and use it. In this context, it could be a building/place including homes, workplaces, shops, schools etc

Question 3

Give examples of how you can ensure that environments are inclusive throughout a property lifecycle?

Answer 3

• During design and refurbishment – ensure accessibility is considered from various users’ perspectives, physically and socially
• During a building’s occupancy, owners, occupiers and managers must ensure that potential users can use despite disabilities
• Create environment accessible to all users

Question 4

What legislation relate to inclusive environments?

Answer 4

• Equality Act 2010
• The Human Rights Act 1998

Question 5

How does the Equality Act 2010 protect discriminatory behaviour?

Answer 5

• Provides protection against a wide range of discrimination and inequality
• Make reasonable adjustments to help disabled people if they would be placed at a substantial disadvantage if the work was not carried out
• Service provider is under an obligation to make reasonable adjustments to facilitate access

Question 6

What are the four types of illegal discrimination?

Answer 6

• Direct discrimination
• Indirect discrimination
• Harassment
• Victimisation

Question 7

When faced with an obstacle for access for disabled people, what does the Act require the service provider to do?

Answer 7

• Test of reasonableness:
  o Effectiveness of the adjustment for disabled person
  o Practicality of adjustment
  o Financial cost and likely disruption
  o Financial and other resources available to the service provider