Act ‘challenges’ inclusive design

The final phase of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act comes into effect this week. It requires stores and leisure venues to become fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

According to the DDA legislation, all public service providers have to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their premises to incorporate inclusive design considerations, such as level access and wide aisles.

Richard Simmons, chief executive of the Commission for Architecture & Built Environment, says, ‘This new Act means built environment professionals everywhere are going to have to challenge the way they work. Design for people with disabilities is much more than ramps, handrails and turning circles. No environment can be deemed to be well designed unless everyone can use it.’

The legislation took effect from 1 October.

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