In our daily dealings regarding minimum widths of doorways and maximum gradients of ramps, we have learned that one of the most important pieces of advice we can offer is to never stop learning. About Access
It doesn’t matter if you use Approved Document M from the Building Regulations, BS 8300, or any other official source, it’s only guidance. It is a minimum requirement, but it allows you to go higher than the lowest level if that’s possible.
When buying a car, not many people will choose the cheapest option. We all like a little extra functionality so why not do the same? Accessibility: A new approach?
We see too many examples of designers following the guidelines but not taking the necessary steps to make a difference.
Inclusive workplace environment
A person who works in an office will likely leave their desk multiple times per day for different reasons. A person with a disability may find it difficult to make short, seemingly simple trips around the building.
Access problems can be seen in real life. For example, people may have to move to another part of their workplace to access food and drink facilities.
In our case, the kitchen was located at the end a corridor. For some, the route required them to pass through four sets doors. It was easy to get there because people didn’t have too many things, but it was difficult to return because they always had at least one item.
Sometimes the kitchen may be on a different level than the rest. We have also seen cases where the loos are located on a different level. Despite how accessible the actual facilities may be, obstacles can make it difficult to access them.
People may leave their desks for fresh air, meetings outside the office, and other reasons. It is important to make it easy for them when they leave the building to return. It is unrealistic to assume that they will stay in the building all day.
They may also need to visit their colleagues in another part of the building, in a meeting or elsewhere, in order to discuss work projects and other events. Is it accessible if they use a meeting space? Is the route from their desk to their meeting accessible? There is room?
It is a matter of anticipating the employee’s journey around the building before they arrive on site. You can also think about the advance information that you might give them throughout their journey through the building, including how they will enter the premises and move through it.
Don’t forget about location when considering an inclusive environment
One example we examined was a company that moved into a new building, which was easier to access. It was also not located on a bus route and did not have parking. These issues were not considered and created a problem.
The designers and architects were able to follow the guidelines but did not take the initiative to make sure that the facilities such as the kitchen, loos, or staircase were in a convenient location for everyone.
Doors in an inclusive environment could be a major obstacle
Doors can often be a problem.It is best to keep them to a minimum and to consider all design options as they are more accessible.
It is worth noting that all doors in one hotel were the right width and had enough space to be opened by a wheelchair user. Except for one case, where someone had placed a tall desk outside the door, making it difficult for a wheelchair user to reach the handle.
Think long term about an inclusive environment
It is worth looking at the long-term and thinking about who you will be as someone with an impairment when planning and designing new buildings or renovations.
You might be the boss or the person responsible for funding an accessibility project. However many disabled colleagues you may have, it is possible that this number could grow as people become more impaired due to accidents, medical conditions, or age.
Should they be forced to quit the job they love? Or can you make adjustments to keep them on your team and their valuable experience?
What would you do if your boss was disabled? Perhaps your savings and circumstances are such that you would love to retire in the sunset. You would want to be able to stay, not be forced to leave because you have accessibility issues.
It is important that you remember that narrow corridors can present challenges but that narrow thinking is simple to overcome.
