Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 110 THE door industry journal spring 2024 Doorsets, Fire Doors, Safety & Security Opening Doors for All: Accessible Doorset Design Many disabled people face accessibility barriers and often feel excluded from everyday places and spaces. Did you know, according to the UK Disability Survey research report, ‘1 in 3 disabled respondents often had difficulty accessing public spaces’? The report found that accessibility barriers are typically encountered in cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Many disabled people and carers also reported that ‘they live in homes which do not meet their needs to live independently’, indicating the need for better, accessible residential buildings and more supported housing, along with better access to services and facilities. Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, disabled people should be treated equally and protected from discrimination. But even though this is legally the case, it’s clear that many disabled people still feel marginalised in society. But how do we build better accessibility? What design elements should be considered to make places and spaces more inclusive? UK Accessibility Standards In the UK, the two standards for accessible design are BS 8300 and Approved Document M (ADM). The BS 8300 Code of Practice sets out how buildings should be designed and built to make them accessible to those with disabilities. Part one provides guidance on exterior environments for new public spaces, while part two covers inclusive design for the interior of buildings. Although some elements of this standard are now mandatory in specific settings, it’s worth noting that BS 8300 is a code of practice and not a legal requirement. However, the standard is an essential resource for architects, specifiers and developers who want to make their buildings and spaces more inclusive. Approved Document M — Access to and Use of Buildings is Part M of England’s Building Regulations. As such, buildings in England must meet these standards to be approved as fit for purpose and to satisfy building regulation requirements. Having been revised in 2015, Doc M covers the minimum design standards for dwellings and non-dwellings, covering regulations for the ‘access to and use of buildings.’ Doc M lays out the minimum access standards for all new buildings, ensuring all people can enter, use and leave a building independently, safely and easily. Now covered under the Equality Act, Approved Document M (ADM) also states that public buildings and facilities should provide equal access to those with various disabilities. As a legal requirement, it’s important to ensure your building is ADM compliant where applicable.
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