Accessibility
Good access to buildings, information and the environment is
vital to a person's independence. Access needs can and do vary but
there are legal minimum standards to consider. As from October 2004
anyone who provides a public service has to ensure reasonable
access, including removing physical barriers.
This information has been produced by the our Access
Planning Group, which is made up of disabled people who advise us
on access.
If you have a large or complex planning application you may wish
to discuss it in more detail with a planning officer before you
submit it.
Use the links to the left to access more pages in this
section.
Car parking
Fourteen percent of total parking bays should be reserved for
disabled people. They should be marked with the national symbol and
should be nearest the entrance to the building:
- Width: 3600mm
- Depth: 4800mm (with several being 6000mm)
Pavements should have ramps to the same level as the road so
that disabled people can easily get from the car park into the
building.
Paths, pavements and street furniture
Paths should be 1800mm wide. They should be even, firm, non-slip
and smooth.
At road crossings, make sure the pavement is lowered to 10mm
only above the level of the road. Crossings should be directly
opposite each other and at least one metre away from corners.
The ramp should be no steeper than 1:20.
Street furniture such as benches or lamp posts should be a
different colour from the surroundings to make them easier to see.
Cashpoints, letter boxes etc should be set at a height of 1040mm.
Under feet you should be able to feel a texture which gives a
warning of obstacles. Avoid placing advertising boards outside
shops.
Ramps
All entrances/exits should have level access. Ramps should be no
steeper than 1:20 and at least 1800mm wide. If there is a drop at
the side of a ramp, a wall 100mm high should be built along that
side or a rail fixed at 100mm above the ramp on that side. Double
handrails should be provided on both sides of ramp and should be a
different colour from the background to make them easy to see.
Doors and corridors
Doors should be at least 1000mm wide with an opening of at least
900mm. Where possible, fit automatic sliding doors. Rotating doors
and spin barriers should not be used.
In corridors, where there are two doors, they should open in the
same direction.
Toilets
Accessible toilets should be at least 2000mm by 1800mm. The door
should open inwards onto a wall. There should be enough rails
around the toilet to help a disabled person use it. One rail should
be hinged to allow it to be pulled down by someone sitting on the
toilet so she or he can hold on to it. Light switches should be
1000mm above the floor. An alarm should be provided.
Handrails
Stairways, ramps, outside walls and corridors should have double
handrails, supported by handrail brackets, in a different colour
from the background. The top rail should be 1000mm from the floor
and the bottom rail 500mm from the floor. The handrail diameter
should be 30mm with 50mm from the wall.
Counters
Serving counters should be set at two heights with the low
counter at 850mm and the high counter at 1060mm from the floor.
Communication
Loop systems should be provided in theatres, halls, mosques and
information points. Fire alarms should include a flashing
light.
Disability Discrimination Act
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), people who
provide services to the public have a duty to make "reasonable
adjustments" to ensure that disabled people are able to use these
services. Providing physical access to buildings is one aspect of
making reasonable adjustments.