New white paper explains why you should care about inclusive design

With misunderstandings around inclusive design potentially leading to discrimination charges, costly legal disputes and damaged brand reputations, we’ve published a free new white paper advising decision makers on the standards door opening solutions need to meet.

Titled Inclusive design – why should you care?, the new white paper can be downloaded from www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/inclusivedesign, providing best practice advice on how to ensure door opening solutions meet the requirements for inclusive building designs, and the risks of not complying with these.

When talking about inclusive design, many people immediately think of those with a disability or specific, specialist requirements. While inclusive design encompasses the needs of these people, its key objective is to make a site inclusive for all, no matter what. In fact, despite public perception and the wheelchair being the symbol for accessibility, less than 8 per cent of disabilities require the use of a wheelchair[1]. Whether it’s the elderly, disabled or children, everyone should be able to access and use a building and its facilities easily and safely.

Inclusive design is a key consideration for most decision makers today, ensuring any barriers that might prevent an individual from using an environment freely and easily are removed. This approach must be reviewed in line with the guidelines governing inclusive design, which includes Approved Document M, the Equality Act 2010 and, crucially, BS 8300-1 and 8300-2:2018, which sets out how buildings should be designed, constructed and maintained to create an accessible and inclusive environment for all. It applies to both new builds and refurbishments.

The white paper explains the factors that need to be taken into account for door opening solutions to be inclusive. It also covers some of the common issues with many door opening solutions available on the market, which might claim to comply with standards such as BS 8300-1 and 8300-2:2018 but do not.

In addition to covering what the guidelines governing inclusive design state for door opening solutions, the white paper advises on how architects and specifiers can ensure these meet the necessary fire safety standards too. While fire safety has always been critical, incidents such as the Grenfell tragedy have highlighted how this issue can never afford to be an afterthought.

Douglas Masterson, Technical Manager at the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), adds: “It’s refreshing in the current climate to see accessibility being placed firmly on the agenda through this white paper.

“This paper states: ‘All those involved in the design and construction of a building should not simply be working towards inclusivity but demanding it every single time.’ The GAI is firmly in favour of this statement, and the correct specification of hardware in a building must have the issues of accessibility and inclusive design at its heart.”

Bob Perry, CEO of the Door Hardware Federation (DHF), comments: “It’s really good to see such an important message being highlighted in this white paper. Our society is changing – both in its demographics and its attitudes – and it is clear that any company that fails on inclusivity will be left behind.

“What this white paper from ASSA ABLOY does is present everything the industry needs to know about the issue. It outlines the relevant standards, explains what they really mean, and tells them exactly what they need to do to make sure their door hardware is compliant. On behalf of DHF, I recommend that it’s essential reading.”

To download the white paper for free, please visit www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/inclusivedesign

[1] Disability Sport, ‘Facts and Figures About Disabled People in the UK’, http://www.disabilitysport.org.uk/facts-and-figures-about-disabled-people-in-the-uk.html