Inclusive Environments (Checked) Flashcards
How could an existing building be modified to become more inclusive?
- Get community feedback / consult
- Be aware of own biases
- Focus on equality of experience
- Wide hallways for wheelchairs
- Ramps
- Handrails
- Automatic doors
- Large bathrooms
- Safe flooring
- Smart layout / wayfinding
- Not just acoustic fire alarms but also light up / vibrating ones
What is an inclusive environment?
One designed and managed to allow people with a diverse range of needs and abilities to access and use
Consider during design and occupancy
What do you need to be aware of to create inclusive environments?
- Mental health issues like depression can make people feel isolated / stigma can prevent people from enjoying their environment
- Health issues like hearing problems / walking issues
- Social isolation caused by mental or physical health, discrimination, or limited resources
What value do inclusive environments have to property owners / occupiers?
Office - Productive team
Retail / Leisure - Sense of community
Residential - Comfortable place to live, longer retention rates
What is the relevant legislation to Inclusive Environments?
- Equality Act (2010)
- Building Regulations (2010) Approved Document Part M
What does the Equality Act set out about inclusive environments?
Provides protection against discrimination and inequality.
- Unlawful for those managing a property to discriminate
- Lettings, sales, assignments and disposal must not discriminate, harass or victimise
- Reasonable adjustments for a disabled person (ramp/equipment/flexible hours/retraining/adjusting workplace layout)
- Landlord’s must ensure if dealing with tenant with protected characteristic it is within Act’s provisions
- Service providers have duty to alter building to avoid disability discrimination if reasonable in cost, extent and disruption
- Access statement / audit for all properties
What does Part M (2015) set out regarding inclusive environments?
Sets out the MINIMUM ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS which should be met under the Building Act
- Level approach from boundary to entrance
- On-site car parking
- Ramped access
- Handrails
- Hazards on access
- Powered entrance doors
- Lifts
- Sanitary accommodation
What does the NPPF and planning policy set out about inclusive environments?
The NPPF identified the need for planning policies and decisions to create places that are:
- Safe
- Inclusive
- Accessible
- Promote health and wellbeing
The NPPF states that inclusivity in design includes:
- Close to transport
- Parking near entrances
- Positioning / visual contrast
- Approach routes for wheelchairs
- Entrances identified for visually impaired people
What are four types of illegal discrimination under the Equality Act (2010)?
- Direct
- Indirect
- Harassment
- Victimisation
What does the Equality Act (2010) require when faced with an obstacle to access for disabled persons?
- Remove feature
- Alter feature
- Provide reasonable adjustment for avoiding obstacle / access
What is the test for reasonableness?
- Effectiveness of the adjustment for the disabled person
- Practicality of the adjustment
- Financial cost and likely disruption
- Financial and other resources available to the service provider
What did you learn from the CPD on creating urban spaces for women?
- Sports spaces are designed for men, this is intimidating
- Lighting
- Desire lines (no corners / walls / columns)
- Pedestrian priority
- Clear signage
- Maintenance so its clean and easy to navigate
- CCTV
- Separate bike lanes
- Spaces for kids / breastfeeding
What should environments not do?
Not present people with barriers to:
- Their enjoyment of the environment
- Participation of activities within in
What is an inclusive environment?
Enable everyone to access the opportunities an environment presents regardless of their:
- Age
- Disability
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Gender expression
- Faith
- Economic circumstance
Including when they are:
- Travelling with children
- Carrying luggage or shopping
What does the Public Sector Equality Duty require?
To consider how their facilities or services affect people who are protected under the Equality Act
What are recent changes to the Equality Act? What is your opinion of this.
October 2024:
- Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, including from third parties
E.g. develop policies / provide training / foster a culture of respect / conduct risk assessments / maintain records
What are recent updates to the Equality Act regarding transgender women?
- Supreme Court has ruled the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex
- Effectively means that a person’s sex is decided by biology, and therefore someone born biologically male but transitioned to female, is not protected by the Equality Act (2010), even with a Gender Recognition Certificate
- Brought clarity to the legislation
- Pro trans activists argue that trans women should have the same rights as biological women
