General principles and guidelines for including disabled people in regeneration projects

(Adapted from Rochdale MBC)

Introduction

Any activity in Regeneration should consider the specific and separate needs of disabled people in the Community. These guidelines have been drafted to ensure that new Regeneration project initiatives are mindful of the needs of disabled people. They can also be used to ensure that Regeneration consultative forums are accessible to disabled people.

Disabled people experience barriers to employment and barriers to participation in the local community for a whole range of reasons. Most of the day to day problems that disabled people face, are caused by the fact that society is organised and designed to meet the needs of non-disabled people. The result is that disabled people are unnecessarily segregated because of a badly designed built environment (high kerbs, narrow doors, steps, toilet facilities, poor lighting and so on), inaccessible public transport, discriminatory attitudes, and practices in institutions such as education and employment which assume disabled people "can't do it".

All these barriers deny many disabled people the chance to obtain an adequate education, a job, adequate income and opportunities to enjoy a full social life. Disabled people live in a hostile, disabling environment that is designed for a particular "norm". Disabled people are discriminated against by the way society is organised.

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Ensuring new projects are accessible to disabled people

Transport
Consideration should be given to the need for provision of travel expenses such as taxi fares.

Information
Any information that is available to the public should also be available in formats such as: Braille, audiotape, computer disc, large print or Community Language translation.

Physical Access
Rochdale Council has produced Access Specification and an Access Brief, which give general guidance on ensuring that buildings are accessible to disabled people. The Access Planning Group of the Disabled People's Working Party can give advice to people wanting to ensure that their buildings are accessible.

1. 1. Where existing buildings are being used, the funding application should include details of removing physical barriers for disabled people.
2. 2. The Access Specifications should be considered for all new buildings. These specifications ensure that disabled people are given independent access into buildings. It is also recommended that the Access Planning Group be consulted on the design of the proposed building to ensure that the needs of disabled people are met.

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Ensuring consultation meetings are accessible to disabled people

These guidelines have been prepared to assist people organising meetings to ensure that everyone can participate on an equal basis. When organising events it is important that you consider the needs of all likely participants as follows:

Open Events

Open events are those events that do not require pre-booking. As it is not possible to assess individual needs, it is important that you try, where feasible to cover all eventualities. As a minimum, you should try to provide the following:

1. Adequat car parking provision
2. Level access to the venue
3. Provision of wheelchair accessible toilet facilities
4. Level access or availability of lift to all rooms/facilities used during the event
5. Availability of a British Sign Language Interpreter, Community Language Interpreter, induction loop, Braille, translated, large print, information on disc etc.
6. Availability of refreshments to meet various dietary requirements
7. Provision of childcare facilities
8. Provision of prayer rooms

If you are not able to meet all needs, but have the resources to met some, you may wish to consider a statement on the initial publicity, indicating that specific needs will be met on request. You must also indicate what facilities are not available.

Closed Events

Closed events are those which require pre-booking, or involve a pre-determined group of people. You will need to ensure that you have considered the individual needs of participants. It will not, however, be necessary to provide facilities above and beyond the needs of the pre-determined group. For example, you would not be expected to hold the event in a building with level access, if you are positive that none of the participants have mobility impairment.

Prior to booking a venue, you should contact participants to ask if they have any specific requirements. The attached facilities form may be useful to ensure that you have catered for all needs.

Discussion is taking place about provision of childcare/carer's allowances for people attending meetings. If you have budget that can stretch to providing an allowance, you should aim to offer it. Likewise, you should also aim to provide transport for people who are unable to use public transport.

Checklist 2 may be used to ensure equal access to participation

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Example of Requirement Form for Closed Meetings

• I will not be attending the meeting and wish to send my apologies
• I will be attending the meeting and have the following requirements

Communication Needs

• Braille
• Tape
• Large Print
• BSL Interpreter
• Community Language Interpreter (please specify)
• Loop Induction System
• Other (please specify)

Dietary Requirements

• Halaal Meat
• Meat
• Kosher
• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Other (please specify)

Childcare/Carer's Allowance

Do you require a childcare/carer's allowance to attend this meeting?

• Yes
• No

Transport

• I will NOT require transport
• I will require transport
• Wheelchair Accessible Taxi
• Saloon Car

Pickup Time:

Name:

Address:

Contact Number:

Please return this form to:….

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Checklists

1. General access provisions not related to technology
2. Access to Participation in events and meetings
3. Facility Preparation – Technology Specific Issues
4. Low cost / Time measures
5. Moderate Cost / Time Measures
6. Annual Budget Measures

See also:
Guide to Good Web Site Design

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