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Policy Papers
Response to
Building standards consultation (stage 3)��
June 2002
1.��������
BASC and SBSA -� Membership
of these bodies should have strong representation from disability organisations.��
This representation could be drawn from perhaps a sub-group composed of
people with disabilities and representatives from those interested in the built
environment e.g. building control officers, construction industry, developers,
architects.� People with
disabilities should have a strong voice in an area which plays such an important
role in their lives � the ability to get around and use the facilities
available to everyone else.�� These
2 bodies would be the keystone to any policy of improving access by calling on
the experience of those most affected when things go wrong.
2.�����������
Technical (functional) standards most important.�
Building standards must be strong, detailed, enforceable and with the
will to see they are complied with.
3.�����������
Welcome access for people with disabilities expanded to include
extensions, alterations and refurbishment.
4.�����������
Exemptions.�� Care must
be taken with the principle of granting exemptions.�
(no blanket exemptions) � judged on merits.��
Crown properties should be covered along with any other property � no
exemptions.
5.�����������
Verification etc. must be kept in the public domain where there is
uniformity and more importantly public accountability.��
For this reason this should be kept at local level where people have
access to local officials who are sensitive to local needs and interests.�
Self certification definitely not.� Private
could be open to collusion and inconsistency
6.�����������
Enforcement of access for people with disabilities is vital and any
non-compliance and ignoring rules must be punished in such a way that it is not
worth breaking them
7.�����������
Verification � important this is done before building is used for
business, i.e. issue of completion certificate.�
If not use powers to close down until comply.
8.�����������
Residential� - we are
pressing as a matter of urgency to raise the accessibility standard from the
ridiculous �visitability�. No other group of people would accept this
blatant discrimination.� This is so
minimal only allowing entry but no insistence that the facilities have to be
useable.�� Housing would be accessible to all i.e. extend
Ministers goal of access for us to everywhere.��
This would be achieved by barrier free housing � designed, planned and
built for everyone.
9.��������
Phrase �access for all� sounds good but what does it mean?� Specific functional standards must be laid down to underpin
the practicalities of achieving this.��
They should state details as before e.g. width or doors, gradients of
ramps, colour of signage etc.� It is
fundamental that people with disabilities should be deeply and meaningfully
involved at this level.�� Retrograde
to say something like �access for wheelchair users must be provided��� - basic questions how? and where?.
10.������
Good practice.�� Most
local areas have a good relationship between the local authority planning
department and organisations of people with disabilities.��
This is of mutual benefit and can save time and money.�� This should be encouraged and as it works locally
should be extended to national level.�
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