Centre for Accessible Environments

A leading UK authority and resource on inclusive design and access to the

built environment providing a number of services including:

– publications

– training

– access consultancy

– information services and projects

Some past and current clients

Habinteg and CAE: shared vision of

improving access for disabled people

Accessible housing needs

The results of recent FOI request to all London Boroughs revealed that there were 2,246 live social housing applications in London for wheelchair accessible accommodation

Many of those waiting for accessible permanent accommodation could be living in inaccessible accommodation, temporary accommodation, a nursing home or even waiting to be discharged from hospital

Case study

• Wheelchair user living in area for 12 years and does not want to move out of the area

• Applies for planning permission to build new home as existing home is not suitable for degenerative condition of owner

• Permission refused as the borough needs to protect its distinctive suburban character from ‘inappropriate’ development

Housing standards: a poor relation of inclusive design

standards?

Do we have to have two standards?

between dwellings vs buildings

• between housing levels 1, 2 and 3

Comparison of requirements for dwellings and other buildings

Buildings

• people should be able to reach the principal and other entrances

• access to all storeys• elements should not

constitute a hazard for visually impaired people

• aids to communication• access to sanitary

accommodation

Dwellings

• people should be able to reach the main or alternative entrance

• people should be able to get into and around the principal storey

• WC provision should be at principal level

Comparison of requirements for dwellings and other buildings

Buildings

• have to provide step-free approach

• handrails on both sides of external steps

• entrance threshold has to be level

• Internal door widths minimum 800mm

Dwellings

• stepped approach reasonable on some sites

• handrail to one side of external steps

• can have a step at the threshold

• Internal door widths minimum 750mm

Can Lifetime Home standards be part of Building Regulations?

Contact details

Brenda Puech, B Arch, NRAC Consultant

consultancy@cae.org.uk

www.cae.org.uk

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