Developing Inclusive Design

The Journey to the Future – Introduction

Delivering an Inclusive Environment just got easier – or did it?

The Equality Act 2010 brought in changes to the way that disability and access are addressed in legislation:

• Reasonable adjustments are required of service providers or those exercising public functions, controllers of let premises or common parts of let premises, employers, education providers and associations.
• Reasonable adjustments relate to: a provision, criteria or practice; a physical feature or an auxiliary aid.  Each being triggered where the result would otherwise lead to ‘substantial disadvantage’ for a disabled person: ‘Substantial’ is defined as anything that is more than minor or trivial.
• Also, it explains that in addressing a ‘substantial disadvantage’ this can mean removing, altering or providing a reasonable means of avoiding a physical feature.
• Much of the wording is thus familiar to the outgoing DDA, although particularly in concept some of it is different.

Some parts of the Equality Act 2010 are not yet implemented, but how did we arrive at this point and what of the future?  This article looks at the journey to inclusion, through guidance, regulation and design, ending with a summary of today’s requirements and a look into what the future holds in store.