Thinking beyond disability access when designing buildings
One of the recent key amendments to Irish Regulations is that there is no reference to people with disabilities in the requirements and adequate provision must be provided for all people to access and use a building, its facilities and its environs. The requirements have been strengthened and architects, engineers, contractors, building owners and designers must now take into account all people regardless of their age, size or disability.
As you may be aware Part M of the Irish Building Regulations was updated in 2010 and came into operation from the 1st January 2012. The main requirement of Part M states that “Adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a building, its facilities and its environs”.
If we explore this further and review the Technical Guidance Document M (that was published in 2010 in conjunction with the new requirements of Part M) it states that those involved in the design of buildings must “foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment” and adequately provide for all people regardless of their age size or disability.
It also indicates that the requirements of Part M underpin the principle of ‘Universal Deign’. The definition of Universal Design “is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability”.
In the context of the built environment and accessibility this means we must design our buildings and environments to meet the needs the widest range of people possible (regardless of age, size or disability) without the needs for specialised adaptation.
The following are some examples of key design criteria that should be considered when designing buildings to be accessible and usable for all people:
- Parking for parents with small children: These spaces allow easier access for parents with young children. The spaces are generally wider than normal and situated close to shopping areas.
- Cycling facilities: More and more people are using bicycles, how are these users being accommodated (i.e. parking and shower/changing facilities)?
- Baby changing facilities: Far too often buildings open to the public are designed without baby changing facilities provided. Currently there is very little guidance on how many baby changing facilities should be provided and how they should be designed. BS8300:2009 does provide some guidance on accessible baby changing facilities.
- Mixed seating: Seats with a shallower depth than standard will benefit people of smaller stature. Seats with armrests can benefit older people as they use the armrests to help them get up out of the chair, while seating without armrests can benefit larger people.
- Changing places: Standard toilets and accessible WCs do not meet the needs of all people with disabilities. For example, people with serious impairments such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or multiple learning disabilities require extra facilities that are not provided in standard toilets or accessible WCs. That’s why accessible changing places are important. For further information see recent article prepared by OHAC.
- Designing for obese users: Hospitals and health care facilities need to take into account obese people. Design accommodations can include: planning for larger equipment; avoiding wall mounted WCs and including heavy-duty grab bars in and around showers; Providing plenty of room around toilets and beds and recessing weighing scales into the floor to name a few.
- Signage and wayfinding: Far too often designers only think about signage and ignore the overall wayfinding system. A good wayfinding system benefits all users and makes it easier for everyone to understand the site and internal layout and create a mental model. It will also ensure all people can orientate themselves independently and will reduce the amount of signage and therefore there are cost savings.
- Design of facilities for people of different religious beliefs/cultures: Designers and building owners need to identify the end users needs. For example, the international student attending a third level institution in Ireland may need their own spaces and facilities that accommodate their needs (i.e. prayer rooms and specially designed WC facilities).
If you would like further information on making the built environment more accessible for all people, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01-4151285 or [email protected]