Accessibility Design Advice

Transcription

1 Accessibility Design Advice Quick Access Guide Improving the accessibility of the physical environment

2 Websites It is good practise to provide written information on your web site for disabled visitors even if you do not have some of these accessible facilities at present. Visitors can then make an informed decision about their access needs. Information should include: How to find us; Accessible parking availability; Level entrance; Accessible WC provision; Induction loop; Alternative formats Websites should be easy for staff to update and will be of little cost to implement. User friendly tips: All web pages should provide text for every image on screen. Consider using an easy to read font style and size such as Arial. Think about the blend of colors you use it may confuse people who are color blind. Ensure that moving, blinking and scrolling objects or pages can be paused. Script inside boxes will not automatically read unless you alter your writing programme. Car Parking Accessible parking bays Designated parking bay for disabled visitors should be sited as close as practical to the main entrance. Accessible parking bays should be laid out to BS8300 guidance as shown in diagram. They should be clearly signed on a wall, or post as reserved for blue badge holders only. If there is a very small amount of parking with no space for an accessible parking bay for disabled drivers ensure you have a management policy regarding reserving a car park space near to the entrance. Your website should clearly state that disabled visitors should call prior to their visit. Accessible route from car park to the accessible entrance This route should have a dropped kerbs where required. Be clearly signed. Should be as level as feasible (not exceeding 1:20). As rule of thumb within 40m travel distance to the main entrance.

3 Entrances Stepped Entrance: Consider: Contrasting step nosings. Hand rail both sides if more than 2 steps. Slip resistant materials. Corduroy hazard warning surface at top and bottom. Ramped Entrance: Consider: Ramps should be no steeper than 1:15 and ideally 1:20 or shallower. It has a surface width of 1.5m. There is a landing at the top and bottom of at least 1.2m clear of door swings or other obstructions. There is a handrail on either side. The surface of a ramp should be slip resistant and contrast visually with the level landings. Ramped and Stepped Entrance: This is ideal and all of the above should apply. Steps should always be provided as an alternative to ramps steeper than 1:20 as they are preferred by some ambulant disabled people.

4 Entrance doors Doors to the principle main entrance should be accessible to all and be clearly signed from all approaches to the building. The main entrance door to the building should have 1000mm clear opening width and ideally be powered. Automatic/powered door controls should be located 1400mm from the leading edge of the door so that a wheelchair user does not have to back away from the door to avoid it colliding with them. Entrances and exits to buildings should either be flush, i.e. without step. It should take no more than 20 Newtons of pressure to open a door. Door handles should be capable of being operated using a closed fist, and should contrast with the door colour. Lever handles are preferable. Manifestation should be provided to fully glazed doors to avoid people walking into them. Entry phones, call buttons, and security systems Should be clearly signed, easy to operate and within reach of a wheelchair user. Should be positioned at 750mm to 1000mm from the ground or floor level. When replacing these items consider how a person with a visual or hearing impairment would use them. Ensure that the system contains a visual and audible indication that the call has been acknowledged and the lock has been released.

5 Reception areas Counters and service desks should be designed so that they are suitable for seated and standing users with high and low sections. The high section for standing visitors should be 950mm-1100mm. The low section should be 700mm high to the underside of the desk and no more than 760mm high for the counter top with 500mm deep knee recess. Reception areas should be well lit. Induction loops Induction loops should be installed to assist people with hearing impairments, these should be clearly signed with the relevant symbol and staff should be trained on how to use them. Expert advise should be sought if you are considering installing one. Seating Seating should be provided wherever waiting is likely. A choice is seat heights is desirable where groups of seats are available. Provide a seat at least 450mm from the floor level with back and arms. Seats should contrast with the surrounding floor and walls. There is a space of at least 900mmx1400mm to allow for wheelchair users to sit alongside other people. Obstacles such as leaflet holders and plants can be a hazard for people with a visual impairment and people with a physical impairment.

6 Accessible toilets Where toilets are available to the general public they should be accessible to all. Accessible toilets should be: Situated at ground level, and/or at the same level as other key facilities, such as main entrances, reception and waiting areas. Standard size wheelchair accessible toilets should measure 2200mm long x 1500mm wide. Baby change facilities in accessible toilets should be avoided where possible. Controls such as flush handles, locks and taps must be easy to reach and use. To assist users with a vision impairment, grab rails, sanitary fittings and accessories should contrast visually with the background against which are seen. An accessible toilet should have an emergency assistance alarm system that is reachable from the WC and floor. It is important that the transfer space alongside the toilet is kept clear to the back wall. Doors should open outward. Toilet cubicles When refurbishing toilet cubicles include: One door which open outwards. Basins to have lever, push or sensor taps. Grabrails that contrast visually with the wall. Changing places A changing place facility is a combined toilet, shower and changing bed with a hoist for people with complex and multiple disabilities who require the help of 2 assistants. Any larger building where the public have access in numbers or where visitors might be expected to spend longer periods of time is a suitable venue for a changing place facility.

7 Colour contrast and manifestation When selecting colours, designers and managers of buildings can have a major impact on the ability of visually impaired people to use buildings. Two colours that contrast sharply to someone with normal vision may be far less distinguishable to someone with a visual impairment. Therefor the contrast between, for example door surrounds and walls must achieve a certain level - measured by its light reflectance value (LRV). The minimum requirements for colour contrast are as follows: LRV of wall should be 30 points different from that of the floor and the ceiling. Skirting should have same LRV as wall. LRV of door surround (architrave and frame) should be 30 points different from that of the wall. Door surround and door can be the same or different colours. It is the surround that should contrast with the wall. The purpose of this is that if the door is open and the wall in the background and foreground are the same colour the door opening can still be identified. LRV of the door furniture should be 15 points different from that of the door. Manifestation Manifestation is permanent markings or features within areas of full height transparent glazing, glazed walls or screens, fully glazed doors or glass doors, which helps to prevent people walking into it by making the glazing more visible to building users. Manifestation should be clearly defined on the glass at two levels, mm and 1400mm-1600mm above the floor, contrasting visually with the background seen through the glass (both from inside and outside) in all lighting conditions.

8 For further information please contact: HCC Property Services Kim Walsgrove Senior Access Officer - Technical Services T: E: [email protected] Shona Forsyth Access Officer - Technical Services T: E: [email protected]