Access for Disabled Persons
Access for
disabled people conjures up, in most people's minds, an image of
someone in a wheelchair trying to negotiate a revolving door or
flight of stairs.
Although this is an all too frequent
occurrence, it is important that problems of people with other
forms of disability are addressed, including those with ambulant
disabilities, those with impaired vision or total loss of sight and
those with hearing difficulties to a greater or lesser
degree.
The requirements of Part M of the Building
Regulations relate to the provision of access and facilities to all
storeys of new buildings and also certain extensions and
alterations to existing buildings.
The Regulations being extended to include for
the needs of the majority of disabled persons and the problems
faced by them in and around buildings, including new
dwellings.
Basically, the requirements of the Regulations
ensure the following are provided to a reasonable standard:-
Non Domestic
1. Suitable access from the site entrance and
disabled car parking area to the building.
2. Level access into the building by way of a
ramp, if necessary complemented by a suitable stepped
approach.
3. Door widths and arrangements.
4. Lobbies of a size to allow wheelchair
movement within the building.
5. Easy going staircases with contrasting
nosings and different surface treatment top and bottom of
flight.
6. Lifts in certain circumstances ensuring they
are of adequate size with low level controls.
7. Non slip surfaces.
8. Provision for means of escape in case of
fire.
9. Sanitary accommodation.
10. Provision for audience and spectator
accommodation in sports, stadia, theatres and cinemas.
11. Induction loop systems for those with
hearing impairment.
Domestic
1. Make reasonable provision within the
boundary of the plot to gain access to the dwelling.
2. Provide access into the dwelling via
suitable steps or ramps.
3. Provide suitable entrance doors for
wheelchair access.
4. Circulation space to be provided within the
entrance storey of every dwelling, providing access into habitable
rooms and a room containing a WC.
5. Accessible switches and socket outlets
should be provided throughout the dwelling so that they are easily
reachable.
6. Passenger lifts or suitable common staircase
should be provided to enable disabled people to visit occupants who
live on any storey.
7. Suitable WC provision should be provided
within the entrance storey to the dwelling.
In addition to the statutory requirements of
Part M of the Building Regulations, all the Authorities within the
county have a designated person on their staff to take on the wider
role of Access Officer.
Their aims and objectives are to give advice
and guidance on the more general matters of access and, therefore,
directly assist people with disabilities to negotiate the built
environment more easily.
Some of the additional features, other than
those included in the Building Regulations, which should be
considered by the designer of a scheme would include:-
(a) Provision of suitable car parking
facilities.
(b) Careful choice of surface treatments.
(c) Direction signs.
(d) Street furniture.
(e) Highway consideration in respect of
pavement crossings, controlled crossings etc.
The above list is not exhaustive, but should
you wish to discuss any access queries contact your local Access
Officer at the relevant Local Authority.
Allerdale Borough Council carries out adaptations for disabled
council tenants who have been referred for work by Cumbria County
Council Occupational Therapists. Allerdale Borough Council also
provide grants to improve disabled facilities in private housing.
They also arrange building work in council houses.
Allerdale Borough Council
