Comments
from Niall 3
This is the third of a series of Comments
from Niall. It is designed as part of a series that will hopefully raise
awareness of the contribution that people with disabilities can make to the
community
Design
This is the starting point to achieve
accessibility and therefore inclusivity. Architects, interior designers,
construction engineers etc.... These are the people that will create our future
environments. Yet, how many of them are fully informed of the needs of people
with disabilities?
I am certain that the vast majority of them
want to get the best result that they could but lack of awareness about
accessibility is the main barrier to their achieving a fully inclusive
environment.
Attitude
To physically create a fully inclusive
environment means little if the people that work in it, or the people that buy
or live in it, are not committed to the belief that everybody is welcome. This
need for a positive and indeed, creative attitude also extends to people with
disabilities. Their awareness of the possible limitations to achieving a fully
inclusive environment is vital if a truly harmonious outcome is to be reached.
Quality
Control
This may seem obvious but there are many
examples, that I have actually seen, where the best intentions of people trying
to achieve inclusivity, have failed. The initial design was good, the building appeared
to be broadly accessible but the actual building work was altered (due to perceived
construction necessities) so as to render the final result of little use to
people with disabilities. When the builders move in they are focussed on the
main issues: will it stay up, are all the electrics and plumbing in the right
place and will it pass the inspections to allow it to open. The needs of people
with disabilities are sometimes not their first priority. And, yet, if the
concept of a fully inclusive working, selling or living environment were
accepted then accessibility would become automatic. Rather than be treated as
an additional worry, the building would meet the needs of as wide a range of
people as possible. Inclusivity would be part of the Mainstream.
How
to Maintain that Inclusivity
Having achieved an inclusive environment it
is then all too easy to lose it. For example, extra desks and display stands
for products etc. spread onto clear routes and accessibility is then lost.
The
next Comment from Niall will cover the ways to maintain Inclusivity and then
promote it to all potential users.
Niall
can be contacted at tarrell@btinternet.com
401-846-1960
Fax: 401-846-1944
Twitter:
@AccessInclude
No comments:
Post a Comment