Disabled Access To Regional Assemblies Built-In

An assessment of access and use of materials for the disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) has been completed on the Welsh National Assembly and Scottish Executive buildings.

An assessment of access and use of materials for the disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) has been completed on both the National Assembly for Wales, due to be built in Cardiff, and the Scottish Executive building in Edinburgh by TPS Consult, the multi-disciplinary design and project management consultancy.

Although the second stage of DDA does not come into force until October 2004, the architects group at TPS Consult is already incorporating its provisions within designs today.

David Rycroft, director of architecture, explained: "The first implementation stage of DDA placed a duty on any organisation providing a service to the public to make "reasonable" adjustments to facilitate use by the disabled and other disadvantaged groups.

"The second stage of the Act sets out mandatory requirements which have the potential to create more onerous demands.

The overall concept is that a development now needs to incorporate the principles of inclusive design i.e Architecture for all.

"It would be prudent to consider the longer term implications of the DDA in any design work being carried out now.

Subsequent modifications at a later date would be both disruptive and costly to clients." Internal CPD (Continued Professional Development) training programmes within TPS Consult ensure that all the design staff are fully abreast of these regulation changes.

The architects group has also become affiliated to the National Register of Access Consultants, with the objective of all architects becoming NRAC registered consultants or auditors.

At the new National Assembly for Wales building in Cardiff, which is being project managed by TPS Schal, TPS Consult carried out a comprehensive audit of the design proposals.

The work included an assessment of the measures incorporated within the scheme to facilitate access and use by all people including people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments.

The report appraised the proposals against a requirement of the project brief for an 'exemplary' standard of accessibility.

The access audit examined the specifications and drawings for compliance with relevant legislation and recognised good practice guidance.

The assessment considered approach, parking, external landscaped areas, entrance, reception, horizontal circulation, vertical circulation, facilities within the building, access for maintenance and means of escape.

The advice given was included in the final design.

At the Scottish Executive, TPS Consult was commissioned to carry out a survey and redesign of Victoria Quay's floor finishes to meet the requirements under DDA especially for the needs of the partially sighted.

The scale and style of the building, which has corridors opening onto atria, dictated scaled walkway patterns suitable for enclosed and open spaces.

The use of colour, texture and materials is important to the partially sighted.

The materials used in this project were loop piled carpet as the background, cutpile for the pattern and a secondary barrier tile with monofilament fibres interspersed between tufts to indicate fire exit points.

The colours chosen for the floor finishes of hyacinth and lavender are practical and enhance the overall ambience of this headquarter building.

The Government is making revisions to the Building Regulations to provide the framework by which the new regulations can be introduced.

Part M: Access to and use of buildings, 2004 edition, was published earlier this month covering buildings, transport infrastructure and access routes to them, introducing new requirements in the design of new buildings, and those undergoing changes of use.

"The new regulations will not only benefit the disabled", said the Minister responsible for Building Regulations, Phil Hope: "Pregnant women, the elderly or very young, those with heart or breathing difficulties, people trying to get about with prams, shopping trolleys or luggage - all these will benefit too.".

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