The Access Manual by Ann Sawyer & Keith Bright

Author:Ann Sawyer & Keith Bright [Sawyer, Ann & Bright, Keith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781118730744
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2014-05-08T18:23:43+00:00

5

Design Criteria

Introduction

External environment

Entrances

Horizontal circulation

Vertical circulation

Facilities

Communication and wayfinding

Emergency egress

Introduction

Access to buildings and environments, and the services they house, is easier for everyone if certain basic criteria are met. These criteria cover issues that affect all building users, not just specific groups of people.

It is not necessary to separate the needs of a wheelchair user from those of an ambulant person as both need to be able to find the entrance to a building, enter through the doorway and approach the reception desk, and both may need to use a lavatory or a car park. If people are divided into groups based on differing needs, it is apparent that the areas of overlap far exceed the specific requirements for each group. The design guidance given here is intended to cover the needs of as wide a range of users as possible.

This approach does not deny that there are specific areas where particular assistance can be provided. Hearing enhancement systems, such as induction loops, or the provision of information in Braille, are useful to certain building users. Specific provisions that meet particular needs should be part of inclusive design.

The guidance given here can be used when designing new buildings or taken as a standard to assess and improve existing buildings. However, it is important that it is seen in context as inclusive design is not simply the application of a set of criteria. The effective implementation of much of the guidance depends upon management understanding and input. To be effective, inclusive design should be seen as an approach that is an integral part of the design process and continues throughout the life of a building or environment. Issues of management, maintenance and building use will affect whether a good level of access, and inclusiveness, is achieved and is sustained in use.

The list of design criteria that follows is not exhaustive; it is intended to cover those areas that most often cause problems for users. Sources of greater detail, where appropriate, are noted in the text and are listed in Appendix B.

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