ACCESS TO / USE OF BUILDINGS & THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT

An important and developing function of Building Control is to foster a more inclusive approach to the design of buildings to accommodate the needs of all people. This applies to all buildings, including dwellings, and guidance on this subject is contained within Approved Document M to the Building Regulations. These Regulations apply to extensions, alterations and change of use, as well as to new buildings, and as the requirements are so detailed, it is only possible here to give a general introduction. For detailed guidance, reference should be made to the Approved Document.

View checklist (highlights scope of the Approved Document)

It is necessary to provide a suitable means of access for people from car parking provided within the building site to the point of entrance to the building. Wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people have difficulty in negotiating changes of levels and people with impaired sight may be unaware of the onset of abrupt changes in level. It is therefore desirable that the principal access to the building has a level approach. If this is not possible then a ramped approach can be used. However, not all ambulant disabled people find it as easy to negotiate a ramp as they do a stair, and therefore a stepped approach may need to be incorporated.

It is necessary to provide a suitable means of access for people from car parking provided within the building site to the point of entrance to the building. Wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people have difficulty in negotiating changes of levels and people with impaired sight may be unaware of the onset of abrupt changes in level. It is therefore desirable that the principal access to the building has a level approach. If this is not possible then a ramped approach can be used. However, not all ambulant disabled people find it as easy to negotiate a ramp as they do a stair, and therefore a stepped approach may need to be incorporated.

It is important that the entrance door is suitable, and that once inside the building, the design allows convenient access without discomfort to enable use of all the relevant facilities, including WC accommodation.

View Unisex wheelchair-accessible toilet with corner WC (view Diagram 18)
View Heights and arrangement of fittings in a unisex wheelchair-accessible toilet (see Diagram 19)

This requires consideration to be given to the provision of sufficient space for wheelchair manoeuvrability and vertical circulation (lifts). In addition, it needs to be ensured that all people are able to participate in the proceedings at lecture / conference centres and at entertainment or leisure and social venues, not only as spectators, but also as participants or staff.

Because the requirements are so in depth, showing compliance on drawings will not always be practical. The recommended method for demonstrating how the regulations will be satisfied is to produce an Access Statement. The precise form of the statement will vary according to the size, nature and complexity of the proposed development, and further details can be obtained from the Equality & Human Rights Commission

It should be noted that many of the aims of Part M of the Building Regulations are similar to those of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The DDA imposes, amongst other things, a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to premises to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities. This applies to existing buildings as well as new premises from 1st October 2004, but is not enforceable under Building Control legislation.

Further information on the DDA is available from:

Equality & Human Rights Commission
Tel. 08457 622633
Website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com

Centre for Accessible Environments
Tel. 02073 578182
Website: www.cae.org.uk