Adjustments to the built environment

By 1st October 2004 service providers will have had to have made "reasonable adjustment's" to the physical features of their premises to overcome the barriers to access faced by disabled people. This must be done by altering, removing or providing reasonable means of avoiding such physical features. The extent of adjustments that a service provider is obliged to make will depend on a number of factors, including their resources and the disruption that making the adjustment will cause.

Ramps and Level Access

The Disability Rights Commission notes that: "Steps are the single biggest barrier to independent access for people with mobility impairments: many shops and other business are located in premises where there are one or more steps to the front door. If you have a step or steps to your main entrance door, it is worth looking at all the possibilities and then deciding which ones are realistic for you to undertake." Ramps fall into two categories – Fixed/Semi-permanent Ramps and Portable Ramps. The appropriate category of ramp is dictated by the location and function of the particular access route. Where possible, independent access for disabled people should be achieved with the provision of a fixed or semi-permanent ramp. Where site location precludes the installation of a fixed or semi-permanent ramp, a portable ramp should be available for deployment by staff members.

Semi-Permanent Ramps

Semi-permanent ramp We can facilitate the supply and installation of a full range of semi-permanent modular ramp systems as an alternative to permanent concrete or wooden constructions. Modular systems have cost saving advantages over permanent ramp installations and allow the service provider to relocate or modify the ramp if the use or configuration of the building changes. Semi-permanent ramps have the following advantages over fixed solutions:

Portable Ramps

Portable Ramp The location and configuration of some thresholds and their proximity to the public highway make a permanent ramp installation impractical. The flexibility of a portable ramp can provide an alternative. Portable ramps must be deployed by a trained member of the service provider's staff and removed after use. Staff will also require training in giving assistance to disabled people who are using the ramp. Portable ramps offer the following advantages:

Platform Lifts

Platform lift Lifts can be an essential amenity for disabled people in multi-storey buildings, and whilst a conventional passenger lift is the preferred option, platform lifts as depicted below can be used where provision of the former is impractical. Installation of platform lifts must not conflict with requirements for means of escape i.e. narrowing stairways or escape routes. Platform lifts offer the following advantages:

Vertical Lifts

A conventional passenger lift is the preferred option to provide comprehensive access for all users to levels in a building. Although conventional passenger lifts are typically the most expensive single adjustment to physical features of a building, they are a relevant consideration for service providers with significant resources and a requirement to provide access to a number of levels within a building.

Access Intercom

Access Intercom in use Access intercoms are used in two applications. In addition to use in conjunction with a portable ramp at the threshold, intercoms can be incorporated within the premises for areas presenting access issues which are not in view of a main counter or staff who operate in the main body of the premises. Where for example there are two steps down to a lower section at the back of a building and staff do not regularly circulate in the lower area, an access intercom positioned by the internal steps will enable a wheelchair user to call for a member of staff to attend with a portable ramp. The intercom has the following characteristics:

Automatic Doors

The configuration of the entrance door to a building significantly impacts on accessibility. Best practice is to provide independent access by means of an automatic power operated door. Alternatives can be found in low energy swing doors or power operated revolving doors. Where a door is sprung and there is no power assistance, it should be possible to swing the door both ways. A single swing sprung door can greatly disadvantage wheelchair users and those with an assistance dog. A sprung door with no power assistance should have a maximum closing force at its leading edge not exceeding 20 Ns. We can supply a range of retro fit automatic doors, providing a cost effective solution, utilising the existing doors with limited disruption during the installation.

Service Point

Drop down counter The Disability Rights Commission notes that: "The ideal height [of checkouts, counters and service desks] for wheelchair users is between 750 and 800mm from the floor. There should be unobstructed space under the counter for the person's legs and the wheelchair footrest. Think about lowering a section of the counter or making the whole counter a convenient height for wheelchair users." The average height for a counter top is between 1000 and 1200mm from the floor. This provides very poor access for a range of disabled people. Low-level sections at the point of sale or on reception desks assist both wheelchair users and people with a short stature to gain access to the services being provided and to sign cheques, forms and card receipts with the same degree of ease as non disabled customers. The Drop Down Counters illustrated below are an alternative to making structural alterations to counters, service desks or checkouts. Drop Down Counters have the following advantages over structural alterations to existing counters, service desks or checkouts: