SE15 - Inclusive design – Above Green

(3 credits available)

Aim

To create an inclusive community by enhancing accessibility for as many current and future residents as possible.

Assessment Criteria

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit

An inclusive design and operational management strategy is produced at the outset of the development including issues of accessibility, inclusion and emergency egress for all occupants and visitors, with specific consideration to people’s wellbeing, age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs and/or disability related needs.
Consultation and recognised national and local guidance are used to inform inclusive design and operational management.

Two credits

Criteria 1 to 2 are achieved.
An individual person is appointed within the design team to champion and provide oversight on inclusive design during the development of the masterplan.
The masterplan incorporates relevant aspects of inclusive design.

Three credits

Criteria 1 to 5 are achieved.
An appropriately qualified independent access consultant is appointed to provide expert advice on the both strategic and detailed design proposals.
The independent access consultants recommendations have been incorporated into the masterplan and used to inform operational management strategy.

Compliance Notes

Ref	Terms	Description
CN1	Inclusive design and related operational management strategies . See criterion 1	Sets objectives to ensure inclusion and access in the design of the external and internal environment. This includes (but is not limited to): transport interchanges transport methods housing and buildings public realm open spaces sports and recreation spaces highways footpaths and cycle ways emergency egress strategies where these will also be affected by the proposals so far developed.
CN2	The role of an inclusive design champion . See criterion 5	Inclusive design champions are not necessarily experts in inclusive design but is an individual within the design team who has the responsibility of ensuring that inclusive design is given necessary attention in order to inform the masterplan. Where an appropriate individual cannot be identified from within the design team the following may be considered: Where the client is a private developer, they may wish to partner with a public sector body or charitable organisation Where the client is a Registered Social Landlord (or equivalent), they may wish to identify an appropriate individual from within their organisation.
CN3	The role of an access consultant . See criterion 7	There is no prescribed definition of an appropriately qualified independent access consultant. Access consultants will have experience of and may give advice on a range of inclusive design and management matters such as: definitions key process in project management of the development the overall concept, procurement and brief stakeholder engagement and analysis feasibility studies, design and detail management implications implementation and construction alterations a post-construction audit. An access consultant is not expected to do everything with regard to access and inclusion, but is expected to advise and support others in their roles.
CN4	Operational management strategy . See criterion 8	Operational management strategies are strategies developed by those responsible for the management of aspects of the built environment (public realm, buildings, etc.). These strategies pick up issues that the design does not address. Although operational considerations are not confined to access and inclusion, they will cover matters such as how people are received by receptionists, the quality of printed and electronic information, the management of emergency evacuation, auxiliary aid provision (such as induction loops) etc. Operational management strategies are devised by the party responsible for managing a particular service, building or area. The strategy should deliver operational means of handling access and inclusion in conjunction with inclusive design features of a built environment.

Evidence

Criteria No.	Final Assessment
1 & 2	A copy of the inclusive design and operational management strategy.
4 & 7	Written confirmation from the developer.
5 & 8	Documentary evidence and masterplan or relevant site plans.

Additional Information

Several governmental and non-governmental organisations have developed guidance for inclusive design and access.

The codes of practice prepared by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, especially in connection with the Public Sector Equality Duty and other aspects of the Equality Act 2010.

Approved Document to Part M of the Building regulations sets out minimum standards for access and BS 8300 provides further enhanced guidance with regard to public buildings other than dwellings. Please note however that Part M is setting out minimum requirements and BS8300 is mainly focussed on approaches, access and use of non residential buildings.

Particular attention should be given to sensory and neurological needs as these often get overlooked within inclusive design and management strategies. Information is available from:

Guide Dogs: www.guidedogs.org.uk
Royal National Institute of Blind People: www.rnib.org.uk/
Action on Hearing Loss: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/
National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk/

Other sources of valuable information include:

Guide to Developing Inclusive Communities1
Lifetime Neighbourhoods2
The Lifetime Homes website: www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
The Homes and Communities Agency
Manual for Streets:www.dft.gov.uk
The Centre for Accessible Environments: www.cae.org.uk/
The Fieldfare Trust: www.fieldfare.org.uk/
The Sensory Trust: www.sensorytrust.org.uk/
The Thomas Pocklington Trust publications relating to inclusion3

Relevant Definitions

Registered Social Landlord: Registered social landlords (RSLs) are bodies that own and manage social housing. They tend to be non-commercial organisations such as local authorities or housing associations. In the UK RSLs are financially regulated and funded by the government. (Shelter)