Universal Design in Legislation Policy and Practice
The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design held a one day seminar entitled “Universal Design in Legislation, Policy and Practice” on the 3rd of June 2010. The seminar aimed to highlight international and national perspectives on Universal Design for senior decision makers in Irish Public Services on Transforming public services through Universal Design.
Eoin O’Herlihy of O’Herlihy Access Consultancy presented on one of the afternoon sessions on the topic of “Toward Universal Design of the Built Environment in Ireland Progress and Challenges. The presentation gave a background of recent Universal Design developments in Ireland over the last twenty years including:
- A Strategy for Equality: The presentation highlighted that there were over 19 high level recommendations in the 1996 report relating to Universal Design and Accessibility, yet only 5 have been implemented to date.
- Legislation: This section covered the importance of the Equal Status Act for private organisations; The introduction of Disability Access Certificates in 2010 and its potential implications and the proposed amendments of Part M of the Building Regulations;
- Standards: The work being done by the National Standards Authority of Ireland and their role in the development of both national and international standards;
- Education and Awareness which covered the importance of integrating Universal Design in Curricula and the importance of mainstreaming Universal Design in Continued Professional Development.
O’Herlihy Access Consultancy suggested a number of ways forward to ensure Universal Design in mainstreamed in legislation, policy and practice. These included:
- Ensuring national consistency in the implementation of Disability Access Certificates and the new Part M 2010 through guidance, support, monitoring and advice by the Department of Environment, Heritage and local Government and all relevant key stakeholders;
- Integrating Universal Design in all relevant mainstream national standards and rolling out the European Commission ‘Stand for All’ or equivalent training in Ireland
- Ensuring the National Standards Authority of Ireland integrate Universal Design is a criteria in the development of all national standards
- Creating better awareness amongst relevant professionals (not just architects) by mainstream Universal Design amongst professional bodies;
- Establish Universal Design working groups within professional bodies and provision of regulated training to professionals.
If you would like a copy of the presentation or would like to discuss any of the above issues, please contact one of our team on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected].
