Inclusive Environments

Question 1

What constitues an includive environment?

Answer 1

An environment that recognises and accommodates differences in the way people use the built an natural environment.
Facilites dignified, equal and intuitive use by everyone.
Does not physically or socially separate, discriminate or isolate.
They readily accommodate and welcome diverse user needs.

Question 2

What is discrimination?

Answer 2

The unjust or prejudical treament or different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, religion, age, sex or disability

Question 3

Are there any building regulations relevant to inclusive environments?

Answer 3

Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings

Question 4

How does Approved Document M apply to Inclusive Environments?

Answer 4

• Provides information about the ease to and use of, building, including facilites for disables visitors or occupants and the ability to move through a building easily including to toilets and bathrooms
• Guidance on the use of ramps and steps to provide ease of access. Such as safe degrees of pitch and dimensions when building a wheelchair accessible facility. As well as the construction of accessible stairs and corridors, including the safe height of stairs and width of accessible corridors and stairs.
• Provides guidance on the access and use of extensions made to buildings other than dwellings and access to toilets, bathrooms and sinks within these structures.

Question 5

Can you provide real life examples of features that make a building more inclusive for its users?

Answer 5

Physical access, e.g. ramps or lifts
Hearing loops
Dedicated feeding facilites for new parents
Accessible parking bays adjacent to building entrance
Contrast colours use in key elements of the building to clearly show door frames, plug sockets or stair entrances

Question 6

How have your projects design incorporated inclusivity?

Answer 6

On STFC projects they have a resident accessibility and inclusivity consultant who has written a specific standard for all STFC buildings.
This ensures that as well as being accessible to users with working restrictions, e.g. step free access to buildings and lifts. All building interiors must be support neurodivergent people and reduce sensory overload. Ensure there are quiet spaces for work with neutral colours/ patterns.

Question 7

What is the key legislation that legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society?

Answer 7

Equality Act 2010

Question 8

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 8

A discrimination law that protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and equal society

Question 9

What are the protected characteristics under the Equality Act?

Answer 9

• Race
• Religion and Belief
• Disability
• Age
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity

Question 10

What is the inclusive employer quality mark?

Answer 10

This is an RICS voluntary self assessment based on 4 key principals;
- Committing to improvement
- Monitoring performance
- Gathering data
- Submitting data

Question 11

What are the 6 core principals of the IEQM?

Answer 11

1. Leadership and vision
2. Recruitment
3. Staff Development
4. Staff Retention
5. Staff Engagement
6. Continuous Improvement

Question 12

How do you promote an inclusive workplace?

Answer 12

• Share clear agendas and meeting minutes
• Turn on subtitles when language barries are in place
• I work with the GEC who are primarily based in Manila, so all meetings are scheduled in the morning
• When planning social events I look to not plan them around alcohol for colleagues who don’t drink
• I gain an understanding of other people’s religions and where possible plan around any religious events, e.g. Ramadan, prayer time