What have the CIC identified as their six principles for designing inclusive environments?
”- Champion and commit to achieving inclusive environments in Strategic Vision
- In Project Brief set out the processes that will be implemented for achieving inclusivity
- Structure budget from the outset for implementing inclusivity
- Make addressing inclusivity a requirement during procurement
- Use access and inclusive design expertise throughout
- Monitor and appraise the outcomes”
What is workplace diversity?
Relates to the acceptance and inclusion of employees from all background
Acknowledges the individual strengths of employees and what they bring to the business
What are some of the advantages of a diverse team?
- Increased productivity - broader range of skills
- Increased creativity - different skill sets and perspectives in the team will increase the change of generating solutions
- Improved cultural awareness - allows companies to operate more effectively within a global market
- Positive reputation and recruitment
What is your understanding of inclusion within the workplace?
- Creating an environment & culture where all employees feel they belong
- Results in employees being comfortable to voice their opinions
What is the term unconscious bias?
- Refers to the associations and assumptions about someone because of their race, gender or disability
- Made without conscious awareness
- Large contributor to a lack of workplace diversity
What are the 4 main types of discrimination under the Equality Act?
- Direct Discrimination - Treat A worse than B due to a protected characteristic
- Indirect Discrimination - rule or policy that impacts someone worse due to PC
- Harassment - cannot treat you in a way that violates your dignity or creates a hostile environment
- Victimisation - cannot treat unfairly someone who is taking action under act
What is equality?
State of being equal in status, rights and opportunities
What are some of the 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act?
- Age
- Sex
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Race
- Religion
What does the Equality Act do?
- Protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- Applies to work places, public services, business e.g. shops, transport, public bodies
What are the barriers to overcoming equality?
- Unconscious bias
- Lack of representation
- Privilege
What is an Approved Document?
Approved by the Secretary of State
Sets out what is a reasonable provision for compliance with Building Regulations
What is Document M?
Refers to the access to and use of buildings
Volume 1 - Dwellings
Volume 2 - Buildings other than dwellings
How is Volume 1 of Document M built up?
M4(1) - Visitable dwellings. Require new buildings to be habitable for most people
M4(2) - Accessible & adaptable. Require new buildings to be suitable for a range of occupants such as elderly, limited mobility
M4(3) - Wheelchair users. Outdoor access, parking etc
M4(2) & (3) - apply where planning is required
What examples of the impact of Doc M Volume 1 can you give?
Access - ramps must have a clear width of 900mm. Gradients are set out in the document
Doors - Accessible thresholds to communal entrance doors. Minimum width of 775mm
Sanitary - allow easy access to WC, provided on entrance storey
How is Volume 2 of Document M built up?
M1 - Access to and use of buildings
M2 - Access to extensions
M3 - Sanitary conveniences
What examples of the impact of Doc M Volume 2 can you give?
Ramp - landings required. Gradients set out in document
Door width - external doors used by general public required to be 1000mm
What are the 6 principles of creating an accessible and inclusive environment you mention in your documents?
Set out by Construction Industry Council
1. Champion & commit to achieving accessible and inclusive in Strategic Vision
2. Project brief set out the tools and mechanisms and process needed to implement Inclusive Development Process
3. Budget to be structured to include inclusive design strategy - allow for access to experts and time with user groups
4. Procurement processes set out the importance of inclusive design
5. Use access & inclusive design expertise throughout
6. Monitor and appraise outcomes - lessons learnt
How can inclusive design be achieved?
- Place people at the heart of design
- Acknowledge there is diversity and need for inclusion
- Offer choices for users
- Flexibility in use
- Convenience and enjoyable use of the building for all
