Building design, function and inclusivity – supporting independence

THE HOME SHOULD BE A PLACE OF SAFETY, JOY, PLEASURE, AND COMFORT, NOT SOMEWHERE THAT THE RESIDENT CONSIDERS TASKS TO BE ARDUOUS OR STRESSFUL. AT THE SAME TIME, WORKPLACES AND PLACES OF LEISURE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL, PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY.

We all now know, given spells of social isolation, how it feels to be deprived of access to the things we enjoy and the impact it has on both our physical and mental health.

At The OT Service we believe strongly that the ability to engage in meaningful activity is crucial for a person’s long-term health and well-being. This means that not only should design support safe and unhindered access to critical space within a home, such as a bathroom, but support aspirations and what might be considered that person’s normal daily routines or skill development.

The process of designing a space that accurately reflects and represents the needs of its users or residents can be a complex one, particularly given the diversity of people who may benefit from something designed ‘inclusively’.

Let’s consider what the term inclusivity means:

‘The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or mental disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.’ (Oxford English Dictionary).

Traditionally, the focus of inclusive design has been on wheelchair access, whether that be within commercial premises, for example shopping centres and office buildings, or homes where the focus is on turning circles, utility heights and doorway widths amongst other design features.

As complex as these designs can be they are not arbitrary. Architects, builders, and designers are legally instructed under 2010’s building regulations to ensure that specific needs are met for safety, functionality, and inclusivity.

The building regulations provide several supplementary documents, including a document called Approved Doc M which cover “dwellings (part 1)” and “buildings other than dwellings.”

The approved documents set out what would ordinarily be accepted as reasonable provision for compliance. The development of Approved Doc M has led to other important design resources, such as Wheelchair Housing Design Guide published by Habinteg which readers may find more accessible if considering their own adaptations.

The challenge with recommending minimum standards however it that as a community’s body measurements change, so does the equipment they use. Similarly, with technological advances the marketplace changes significantly from year to year.

A good example of this is the specialist wheelchair industry: how long will minimum standards set in 2010 and amended in 2016 remain suitable for? This question is raised by a likely future where people have a higher average BMI, and are more likely to use indoor/outdoor wheelchairs with mid-wheel drive and tilt-in-space systems.

We stand by the premise that people are not disabled, but environments can be disabling, and are passionate about helping to tip the balance back in favour of the person, regardless of their needs.

For this reason, we continue to engage in research and training to increase the understanding about inclusivity and design, from wheelchair accessible design to use of pushchairs in public toilets, from use of lighting and signage for someone with a visual impairment to dementia, bariatrics, and everything in-between.

We are presently working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to look at revising space standards in the Building Regulations for adults and children who use mobility equipment. We recently attended Kidz to Adultz North in Liverpool taking measurements of attendees to inform these changes. The more people who participate in our research, the better the results, so please do get in touch.

Kate Sheehan, Director and Occupational Therapist, The OT Service – www.theotservice.co.uk