British Standards Institute (BSi) Code of practice (CoP) for wheelchair passport schemes Publication date: 2013 Ranking: essential This CoP promotes the use of a passport scheme which would include basic details required by wheelchair users to enable their safe travel…
Blog Archives
Code of practice for wheelchair passport schemes
Tagged with: disability, inclusive access, public transport, Transport
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability
Why the UK voting system must change
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Turned out 2017 Published: 2017 Ranking: essential Whilst all voters have the right to vote independently and in secret the RNIB’s research into the last UK General Election has shown “…breakdowns in the current voting…
Tagged with: elections, polling stations, visual impairment, voting
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability, Service Provision
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability, Service Provision
Managing Accessible Toilets
Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) Managing Accessible Toilets Publication date: 2017 Ranking: essential This guidance sets out the need for accessible toilets, the legislative background and the standards for the various different types. Importantly, it highlights 10 key good practice…
Tagged with: management practice, toilets
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Disability, Service Provision
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Disability, Service Provision
Deafspace
Hansel Bauman (hbhm architects) in conjunction with ASL Deaf Studies Department, Gallaudet University. The DeafSpace Project (DSP) Publication date: 2005 Ranking: useful In their words: “Our built environment, largely constructed by and for hearing individuals, presents a variety of surprising challenges…
Digital accessibility
Government Digital Service, Cabinet Office Making your service accessible: an introduction Publication date: May 2016 Ranking: essential This forms part of the guidance to central government services to ensure that all services are digitally accessible to equality groups. It contains…
Tagged with: digital accessibility, websites
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability, Service Provision
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability, Service Provision
The case for play
SENSE Making play inclusive: a toolkit for play settings Publication date: 2015 Ranking: useful In their words: “For three months between September and November 2015, Sense undertook a public inquiry into the provision of play opportunities for children aged 0-5…
Does someone need your seat?
Aine Pennello, The Atlantic CityLab. Do you know who needs you subway seat? Publication date: 2017 Ranking: useful Article discusses issues for people with unseen impairments who may need a seat on public transport with reference to the new Transport…
Being disabled in Britain
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Being disabled in Britain: a journey less equal Published: 2017 Ranked: useful In the EHRC’s words: “Being disabled in Britain is a review into disability inequality in Great Britain. It builds on the Equality and…
Tagged with: business, design, disability, disabled children, Equality Act 2010, health, housing, inclusive access, Transport
Posted in Disability, Service Provision
Posted in Disability, Service Provision
Education, estates and equality
Equality and Human Rights Commission (and former Disability Rights Commission). Two documents are posted here. It is important to read the historic guide in the context of the current guidance in the 2014 EHRC document. Estates: The Disability Discrimination Act…
Transport and disabled people
Access to transport for disabled people House of Commons Transport Committee 2013-14 Publication date: September 2013 Ranking: useful This Parliamentary report reviews the government’s progress on meeting its own action plan targets and those set out in law to meet…
Tagged with: disability, Parliamentary report, Transport
Posted in Disability, Service Provision, Uncategorized
Posted in Disability, Service Provision, Uncategorized
TED goes designing for disability
TED ideas worth spreading A playlist of 10 videos all on subject of designing for disability from TED conferences around the world. In their words: “Good design — and smart technology — should fuel inclusivity. These talks show how tech…
Tagged with: design, disability, health, inclusive access, Independent living, visual impairment
Posted in Disability
Posted in Disability
Dementia and Town Planning
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Dementia and Town Planning – RTPI Practice Advice Publication date: January 2017 Ranking: useful In their own words… “This practice note gives advice on how good planning can create better environments for people living with dementia. It…
Tagged with: Dementia, disability, friendly communities, planning, public realm
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Urban Design
Core design documents
Compiled by North Somerset Council Equality and Diversity Team. Publication date: December 2016 Ranking: essential These documents are the key ones which we feel underpin most design work from service delivery to transport, interior design or the public realm. Disability…
Tagged with: design, disability
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Urban Design
The Equality Act and disabled people
House of Lords Select Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and Disability The Equality Act 2010: the impact on disabled people Published: March 2016 Ranking: essential In the committee’s words: “The Equality Act 2010 is the legislative framework. We have been examining whether it adequately…
Autism and public transport
Ambitious about Autism Using public transport Ranking: useful Publication date: June 2015 Public transport for someone with autism can pose particular challenges that complicate the journey if a dedicated taxi isn’t available or you don’t have access to car. This…
Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020
Produced by Williams Lea for the Department of Health Publication date: 2015 Ranking: essential Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020 The former Prime Minister David Cameron launched the initial dementia challenge in 2012. The document sets out a number of goals…
Adapting your home
Age UK Adapting your home: Services and equipment to help you stay living at home Publication date: 2015 Ranking: useful This useful guide is aimed at disabled people wanting to make adaptations or improvements to their homes to make them…
Tagged with: disability, housing, inclusive access, Independent living
Posted in Disability, Housing
Posted in Disability, Housing
Making a house a home
Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) Making a house a home: Local Authorities and disabled adaptations Publication date: March 2016 Ranking: useful This report highlights some of the issues raised with the LGO when the process goes wrong, and the impact this…
Tagged with: access, disability, housing, inclusive access, Independent living
Posted in Disability, Housing
Posted in Disability, Housing
BSI code of practice on dementia friendly communities
British Standards Institute BSI PAS 1365:2015 Code of Practice for the recognition of Dementia Friendly Communities Publication date: 2016 Ranking: essential This code of practice aims to help support existing communities and to inspire more areas to get involved in…
Customer service and people living with dementia
Alzheimer’s Society How to help people with dementia: a guide for customer facing staff Publication date: 2015 Ranking: useful This guide gives key tips and guidance for staff in how to assist customers living with dementia and explains some of the…
Tagged with: customers, Reception staff
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability, Events & Meetings
Posted in Accessible Information, Disability, Events & Meetings
Repealed legislation under Equality Act 2010
A number of pieces of equality and discrimination legislation were repealed when the Equality Act 2010 came into force. It is unfortunately too common a mistake by construction and environmental professionals to still refer to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995…
Tagged with: Equality Act 2010, legislation
Posted in Disability, Gender, Race, Religion & Belief, sexual orientation
Posted in Disability, Gender, Race, Religion & Belief, sexual orientation
Shared space: is it evidence based?
University of the West of England (UWE): Simon Moody and Steve Melia Shared space – research, policy and problems Publication date: 2012 Ranking: essential The authors’ introduction states: “Shared space is an approach to street design which minimises demarcations between vehicles…
Tagged with: access, disability, Independent living, planning, public realm, Transport, visual impairment
Posted in Disability, Highways, Planning, Urban Design
Posted in Disability, Highways, Planning, Urban Design
Colour, contrast and perception
Keith Bright, Geoff Cook and John Harris; University of Reading. Colour selection and the Visually Impaired – A Design Guide for Building Refurbishment Publication date: 1997, updated 2004 Ranking: useful Report describes how visually impaired navigate buildings and how colour…
Tagged with: colour, inclusive access, visual impairment
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Disability
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Disability
Towards Accessible Housing Toolkit
Habinteg and Town and Country Planning Association Towards Accessible Housing Toolkit Publication date: 2015 Ranking: essential The introduction states: “This toolkit has been assembled to help planners to plan and secure delivery of accessible homes.” The document describes: The process…
Tagged with: design, disability, housing, inclusive access, Independent living, planning
Posted in Disability, Housing
Posted in Disability, Housing
Best kept secrets
Your home’s best kept secrets Style and décor design advice is available everywhere. But here’s something you may not see a lot about. The Big Opportunity is all about the top 10 features in your house that we think you…
Tagged with: children, DIY, housing, inclusive access, Independent living
Posted in Disability, Housing
Posted in Disability, Housing
Building dementia friendly communities for everyone
Geraldine Green, Senior Policy Officer and Louise Lakey, Policy Manager, Alzheimer’s Society Building dementia friendly communities: A priority for everyone Publication date: 2013 Ranking: useful This report describes the views of people affected by dementia and their carers. It explores the barriers…
Tagged with: Dementia, Independent living, public realm
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Urban Design
SEND Code of Practice 2014
Department of Education and Department of Health Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years Publication date: July 2014 Ranking: essential This Code of Practice provides statutory guidance on duties, policies and procedures relating to Part 3…
Access survey of galleries and arts venues
Arts Council of Wales Disability Access Survey of Revenue Funded Venues and Galleries Publication date: 2012 Ranking: useful Key findings include addressing access to information, improvements to overcome specific barriers faced by Deaf people and making sure all venues have appropriate…
Is your hospital dementia friendly?
The King’s Fund Centre An EHE Environmental Assessment Tool Is your hospital dementia friendly? Publication date: 2014 Ranking: useful This is an audit tool for assessing hospital wards. The King’s Fund’s overarching design principles for dementia friendly design are reproduced at…
Stop, look and think for a moment
Link to something more! Some of our posts will already be taking you to a variety of external websites which offer help and support on equality and design. We’ve gone one further here and listed some of the key groups…
Hotels
British Standards Institute (BSi) PAS 88:2008 Guidance on accessibility of large hotel premises and hotel chains Publication date: 2008 Ranking: useful The document contains principles of good practice based on the duty to make reasonable adjustments and provide equal standards of service…
Small venues – big changes!
Guardian Music blog How small venues can make big changes for disabled fans and artists The music charity Attitude Is Everything has signed up its 100th venue to its Charter of Best Practice. Mystery Jets frontman Blaine Harrison explains how…
Gardening for wheelchair users
TERRAform Product All products are publicised here as examples of design solutions. This not an endorsement of the design or the company. Ranking: useful Raised garden or allotment bed that allows access for wheelchair users. Takes account of reach and…
Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Means of escape for disabled people
HM Government Publication date: March 2007 Ranking: useful This is a supplementary guide and should be read alongside other guides in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment series.It provides additional information on accessibility and means of escape for disabled people. The…
Making your project accessible for disabled people
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Publication date: December 2012 Ranking: useful This guidance has been written to support bids for funding to the HLF. It looks at how it is possible to improve projects so that disabled people, (visitors, volunteers or staff),…
Tagged with: design, disability, heritage
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Historic Buildings & Landscapes
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Historic Buildings & Landscapes
Access for Blind People in Towns SS1401
The National Federation of the Blind of the UK Publication Date: 2014 Ranking: useful This document sets out the general abilities and limitations of blind people and of trained guide dogs, in order to provide assistance to planners and designers…
Landscape Design for Dementia Care
Housing LIN Publication date: July 2013 Ranking: useful This Factsheet is intended to be used as a tool to further debate on the subject of design for dementia care in the specialist housing sector. The principles of landscape design for…
Tagged with: age, Dementia, landscaping, public realm
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Health, Landscaping, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Health, Landscaping, Urban Design
Neighbourhoods for life Checklist
Housing Corporation Publication date: 2004 Ranking: useful This checklist gives a range of design recommendations to help housing associations improve the quality of life of older people with dementia in the outdoor environment. How to view a copy To…
Tagged with: disability, housing, Independent living, public realm
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Housing, Landscaping, Planning, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Housing, Landscaping, Planning, Urban Design
Neighbourhoods for Life: Designing dementia-friendly outdoor environments
Oxford Brookes University Publication date: 2004 Ranking: useful The number of older people in the UK is rising dramatically, particularly in the age group of 85 years and above. As the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age, reaching a one…
Tagged with: Dementia, design, Independent living
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Health, Planning, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Health, Planning, Urban Design
Design and access statement. How to write,read and use them.
Design Council (formerly the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment) Publication date: 2006 Ranking: Essential In May 2006, the government introduced changes to the planning applications process that brought Design and Access Statements into more common use . Though Planning…
Tagged with: access, building regulations, design
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Planning, Project Management
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Planning, Project Management
State of Access Report 2014
Attitude Publication date: 2014 Ranking: useful This report gives you an idea of what access is like to music venues for deaf and disabled people. Have a look as well at their case studies on the Case Studies Index page …
Tagged with: arts, disability, festivals, hearing impairment, tourism
Posted in Arts, Disability, Events & Meetings, Hearing Equipment
Posted in Arts, Disability, Events & Meetings, Hearing Equipment
Accessible Train Station
Department of Transport Publication date: November 2011 Ranking: useful This document outlines the code of practice for Accessible Train Stations specifically designed for disabled people. Covers all issues from platform design and access onto trains to information, kiosks, ramps, doors and car parking.…
Tagged with: disabled people, train stations, trains, Transport
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Rail
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Rail
Inclusive Design for Getting Outdoors (I’DGO)
I’DGO project Publication date: various Ranking: useful This is a link to the valuable website resource funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a part of a project that was established in 2003. I’DGO has a longstanding record…
Tagged with: age, design, disability, inclusive access, Independent living, planning, public realm
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Health, Highways, Planning, Urban Design
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability, Health, Highways, Planning, Urban Design
Dementia: design and built environment
Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) Publication date: updated periodically Ranking: useful Follow this link to the Housing LIN website which offers a range of publications and events on housing design and older people with information available on dementia. Other housing and care topics…
Tagged with: design, disability, planning, public realm
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability
Posted in Design Standards (Environment), Disability
Short-changed: the Trailblazers High Street report
Trailblazers Publication date: 2013 Ranking: useful Describes the findings of an Autumn 2013 investigation into access to the High Street. Trailblazers have compiled a cost-effective guide with recommendations as to how businesses can improve disabled customers experiences in their establishments. Individual disabled…
Disabled women in London: housing, leisure and transport issues
London Women and Planning Forum (LWPF) Publication date: 1999 Ranking: useful This is a report of a seminar held to examine the wider physical access needs of women in their local community. How to view a copy The report was available…
Communication and people with the most complex needs
MENCAP Publication date: 2010 Ranking: useful This report provides some solutions to meeting the communication requirements of people with the most complex needs – what works and why they are essential. Within the term “complex needs” are included people with profound…
Accessible thresholds in new buildings: guidance for house builders and designers
Department of Communities and Local Government Publication date: 1999 Ranking: useful The aim of the guide is to suggest solutions that will make the thresholds of dwellings more accessible to wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, whilst minimising the…
Tagged with: design, housing, Part M, Wheelchair
Posted in Building Regulations, Disability, Housing
Posted in Building Regulations, Disability, Housing
Fire safety risk assessment: means of escape for disabled people
Publication date: 2007 Ranking: essential Guidance about completing a fire safety risk assessment for people responsible for providing means of escape for disabled people. This guide is a supplement to be read alongside the other risk assessment guides in this…
Tagged with: business, disability, fire and evacuation
Posted in Building Regulations, Design Standards (Buildings), Disability, Service Provision
Posted in Building Regulations, Design Standards (Buildings), Disability, Service Provision
Inclusive School Design – accommodating pupils with SEN and disabilities in mainstream schools
Department of Education Publication date: 2001 Ranking: useful Published as Building Bulletin 94, it provided advice and guidance on how to accommodate pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools in support of Building Bulletin 91. The illustrated text…
Tagged with: design, education
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability
Posted in Design Standards (Buildings), Design Standards (Environment), Disability
