Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What are inclusive environments?

Answer 1

• Inclusive environments readily accommodate and welcome diverse user needs
• An inclusive environment recognises and accommodates differences in the way people use the built and natural environment.
• It facilitates dignified, equal and intuitive use by everyone.
• It does not physically or socially separate, discriminate, or isolate.

Question 2

What is discrimination?

Answer 2

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, religion, age, sex, or disability.

Question 3

Are there any Building Regulations relevant to inclusive environments?

Answer 3

Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings.

Question 4

Can you provide a summary of how Approved Document M applies to this competency?

Answer 4

• Approved Document M provides information about the ease of access to and use of, buildings, including facilities for disabled visitors or occupants and the ability to move through a building easily including to toilets and bathrooms.
• Guidance on the use of ramps and steps is covered to provide ease of access, with information including safe degrees of pitch and dimensions when building a wheelchair accessible facility. The construction of accessible stairs and corridors is also addressed, including the safe height of stairs and the accessible width of both corridors and stairs.
• The document also provides guidance on the access and use of extensions made to buildings other than dwellings and access to toilets, bathrooms and sinks within these structures.

Question 5

Can you provide tangible examples of features that can make a building inclusive for its users?

Answer 5

• Physical access, e.g. ramps or lifts for wheelchair users.
• Hearing loops.
• Dedicated feeding areas for new parents.
• Accessible parking bays adjacent to the building entrance.
• Contrasting colours are used in key elements of the building such as stair nosings, door frames and plug sockets (to assist the partially sighted).

Question 6

What is the key regulation that legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society?

Answer 6

Equality Act 2010.

Question 7

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 7

• A discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and equal society.
• The Act provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all.

Question 8

What are protected characteristics under the Act?

Answer 8

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion and belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation

These are called protected characteristics.