Book Description

This book provides guidance for designers and others, particularly building owners and managers, on altering and adapting existing non-residential buildings to provide better access for disabled people. By improving access for disabled people, access is also enhanced for all those who need to use the building.

The first part of the book summarises the changing attitude to accessibility, the legislation driving the changes and the benefits to everyone of improved accessibility. It sets out a strategy for improving the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, emphasising the need for a holistic approach, leading to pragmatic solutions within a programme of refurbishment and maintenance, and highlighting the importance of management solutions to access issues.

The second part provides detailed design guidance on providing full, or significantly improved, accessibility. The advice is supported by case studies illustrating ways of addressing physical and management barriers to
accessibility. Specific reference is made to issues affecting historic buildings.

The book helps designers, owners and managers of environments to make well-informed, pragmatic decisions about improving the inclusiveness and accessibility of their buildings, the services they offer and the employment opportunities they provide for their staff. Readers will benefit from increased awareness of what is needed and be better able to develop cost-effective solutions both in physical provision and in management practices. This, in turn, will enhance the built environment for everyone.

210 pages

Contents: Summary, Acknowledgements, Foreword, Tables and figures, Abbreviations, Part One: Background and general principles - 1 Introduction, 2 User Needs, 3 Legislation, 4 Management, 5 Communication, wayfinding and information, 6 Historic buildings, 7 Case studies, Part Two: Design guidance - 8 External
approach, 9 Entrances, 10 Reception, 11 Horiziontal circulation, 12 Vertical circulation, 13 Lighting, colour and acoustics, 14 Services, 15 Evacuation, 16 Facilities, Appendices - Appendix A Information sources, Appendix B Useful organisations and contacts, Appendix C References and publications of interest from other sources