Inclusive Design What it is and where to

Inclusive Design What it is and where to go for guidance Rowena Colpitts Senior Engineer Sustrans Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

What is Inclusive Design? • Inclusive design aims to remove the barriers that create undue effort and separation. It enables everyone to participate equally, confidently and independently in everyday activities. Design Council Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

What is Inclusive Design? Meeting access needs should be an integral part of what we do every day. We should use our creativity and lateral thinking to find innovative and individual solutions, designing for real people in all their variability. CABE Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

So what does this mean? • Why should we do Inclusive Design? • How do we do Inclusive Design? • Where’s the help? Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Why should we do Inclusive Design? 1. Equality Act 2010 – expand on later 2. More living longer but spending more years in ill health 3. Biggest causes of disability: mental and musculoskeletal 4. In 2017 over 20% population in the UK have a disability. Scope Enjoying the outdoors is key to assisting in the management of physical and mental health Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Why should we do Inclusive Design? A number of benefits: • • Aging Population – With people living longer this means that there is an increase in the number of disabled people in Scotland. Independent Living – Creating accessible environments to local amenities and spaces Businesses – ‘The Purple Pound’ – 1 in 5 people in Scotland have a disability Social Inclusion – Everyone Benefits (Disability Quality Scotland) Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

What is the Equality Act 2010? In April 2011, the Equality Act (2010) was introduced. Amalgamated a number of previous legislation protecting against discrimination. In particular: – the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 – the Equality Act 2006, Part 2 (paved way for Race, Gender, Disability Duty) Under the Act, a person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term (usually lasting more than a year) and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

The Equality Act 2010 The act covers 9 protected characteristics: • Age • Gender reassignment • Sex - Gender • Disability • Pregnancy and maternity • Sexual orientation • Race • Religion and belief • Marriage and Civil partnership Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

What is the Equality Act 2010? A new equality duty to: • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, victimisation and harassment; • Advance equality of opportunity; • Foster good relations. The equality duty is in two parts - the general duty in the Equality Act (2010) itself, and specific duties which are placed on some public authorities by Scottish Ministers. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) came into being in October 2007. It combines the responsibilities and powers of the three previous equality Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18 commissions and is the enforcer of the Equality Act ‘ 10.

What is the Equality Act – Public Sector Duties ü Equality Act shifts accountability for actions from individuals to institutions (Public Bodies). ü Public Bodies now have a ‘Public Sector Duty’ to positively promote equality rather than try and avoid discrimination. ü Public Sector Duty - promotes a positive and proactive approach to equality rather than reactive approach. Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Equality Act 2010: What is discrimination? The ‘Act’ defines 4 types of discrimination: • Direct discrimination • Indirect discrimination • Harassment • Victimisation Discrimination can be evidenced in: • What we do • How we ‘govern’ Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Reasonable Adjustments What constitutes a disability can be variable and difficult to define. So it should be remembered that: • Adjustments can often be simple and inexpensive. In law, adjustments have to be ‘reasonable’, and need not be excessive. • A reasonable adjustment must have the effect of removing or minimising the impact of an individual’s impairment and; • It is good practice to seek advice in coming to the decision of what (if any) reasonable adjustments will be made. Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

So how do we do Inclusive Design? Designers need to: • Approach the process of abiding by the Equality Act with more than just thinking and with “rigour and an open mind”. • • • Consider provisions that are proportionate and relevant at the onset of any project. Actively address the adversity with an evidenced based approach; demonstrable provisions at all stages. As a result measures should not be needed after the event. Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

How do we do Inclusive Design? Tools to be used • Equality Impact Assessments – Details: purpose and aims of a scheme – Evidence: what is known currently about the experiences of people under each characteristic – Impact: what is known regarding the impact you expect the scheme to have – Assessment: 4 categories – no adverse effects, some but can be justified, adjust project, stop project – Actions: What is to be taken forward as design criteria Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

5 Inclusive Design Principles - CABE 1. Places people at the heart of the design process. Ensure a strong design by involving as many people as possible. 2. Acknowledges diversity and difference. Be well informed 3. Offers choice where a single design solution cannot accommodate all users. Be imaginative and bold 4. Provides for flexibility in use. A benefit to one group may not be to all 5. Provides buildings and environments that are convenient and enjoyable to use for everyone. A benefit for one group may be a benefit to all Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Guidance Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Websites that could assist http: //accesspanelnetwork. org. uk/ http: //disabilityequality. scot/ http: //m. acas. org. uk/media/pdf/1/0/Equality_discrim_understand_basics_Nov. pdf https: //www. transport. gov. scot/publication/roads-for-all-good-practice-guide-forroads/ http: //www. fieldfare. org. uk/countryside-for-all-good-practiceguide/ Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

Training • Training on visual impairment and urban spaces – Guide Dogs Scotland • Inclusive Design - Sensory Trust • Equality Act 2010 Training – EHRC/Napier University • The Equality Act for Place-makers and Transport Planners - PTRC Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18

And Finally… Success should always be judged by the project achieving an inclusive environment: Accommodating all people regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or other circumstances. Inclusive Design, © Sustrans | June 18