OTAC® 2024 Confirmed dates
Visit an OTAC® near you for expert seminars and exhibitors specialising in home adaptations and equipment.
An event hosted by
OTAC® Chester | The Queen by Best Western Thursday 26th September 2024
OTAC® Reading
Hilton Reading
Thursday 7th November 2024
OTAC® Cardiff
St David’s Hotel (voco)
Thursday 5th December 2024
OTAC® Kent
The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells Thursday 14th November 2024
OTAC ® Southampton
Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl
Thursday 12th December 2024
CONTENTS FEATURES
ON THE COVER: Get ready to ROARR!
DEMANDS ON DESIGN
Altro’s workshops discuss the impact that design decisions play out in real life
“The DFG Children Summit underscored the need for a paradigm shift in how we approach home adaptations for disabled children”
PAUL SMITH, DIRECTOR, FOUNDATIONS (P18) ON ENHANCING THE DELIVERY OF HOME ADAPTATIONS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
REGULARS
44 WEEK IN THE LIFE
A breath of fresh sea air with Judi Watkinson, an Access Advisor at CAE
Our experts discuss how best to remove barriers to accessible and inclusive travel and holidays
Lauren Walker says that Labour need to plan for the future with accessible housing, and that OTs are well placed to offer advice on this.
CASE STUDY
TOURISM & HOSPITALITY Norfolk’s dinosaur experience has gone to ROARR!-some lengths to improve their accessibility
BUSINESS
KITCHENS & BATHROOMS AKW open their new Middlewich showroom and manufacturing facility
PLANNING & FINANCE
IN AN OPEN LETTER to the new government, our experts make the case for accessibility
OLDER PEOPLE’S HOUSING MATTERS
Charlotte Watson, RIBA’s Senior Policy Advisor, offers a concise overview of their recent work
COMPETITION
WIN a copy of the third edition of The Access Audit Handbook from the CAE and RIBA
INTERIORS
LIFTS Para pickleball champion, Andy McErlean eplains why he chose a Stiltz Trio+ Homelift for his remodelled contemporary and accessible home
KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Rod Davis of EA Mobility explains the need to acknowledge the unique access requirements of each individual
DESIGN FOR NEURODIVERSITY
Altro look to how and why design for neurodiversity resonates so widely at this point in time
Andrew Henry Interiors has incorporated a sensory bedroom into its latest Bovis show home
FOUNDATIONS’ DFG CHILDREN SUMMIT A review of June’s conference in Birmingham
Designer Disabled Access
For The Home or Workplace
DESIGNER CUSTOM MADE LIFTS / ELEVATORS
including made to measure
Stretcher Bed Home Li�s
Here we take the opportunity to discuss the possibility of fi�ng and installing a stretcher bed li� inside a residen�al property.
Made to measure Stretcher Bed Home Li�s
We can supply custom made li�s for use in private residen�al proper�es where there is the requirement for the li� to be long / deep enough to transport a stretcher home bed.
In order to minimise the amount of internal space that the actual li� will occupy within a domes�c property we will design the rectangular sha� and li� cabin to accommodate the clients stretcher bed. This will include space that may be needed for a person to accompany the occupant of the stretcher bed and also provide space for any poten�al ancillary medical equipment. The li� is fully automa�c with one touch opera�on together with automa�c telescopic sliding doors making for ease of use for the user.
Another example of where a rectangular li� may be required inside a domes�c property is where there is a requirement to transport a large powerchair / wheelchair whose occupant needs to seated leaning backwards at an angle u�lising a reclining seatback with a tall headrest and also at the same �me needs to be using elevated extendable footrests – all of which will add extra length to the powerchair.
Our Director / Technical Director has many years of experience in the li� industry including working with Occupa�onal Therapists and clients on DFG (Disabled Facili�es Grant) projects.
EDITOR
Juliet Davies
juliet@inclusive-design.co.uk • SALES sales@inclusive-design.co.uk
DESIGN/PRODUCTION
Stuart Moody h3opublishing@gmail.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
To receive your copy visit: inclusive-design.co.uk/subscribe.html or email juliet@inclusive-design.co.uk
FROM THE EDITOR
“We have many demands - and high hopes - for the new Government”
Well, we had everything planned for this issue; it’s July/August, so holidays, hospitality, travel etc was the obvious theme - then the election was called! We immediately needed to get some opinions on this, to put together a call to the new Government about what we want to see done to improve accessibility in the built environment.
specialists in the travel industry, to discuss what they are most often asked about, how they deal with clients’ requests, and what they think needs to be addressed to make travel and hospitality more accessible.
We also take a trip to ROARR!, an adventure park which is working hard to ensure its disabled visitors don’t miss out on the fun.
I hope you enjoy our ‘open letter’ to Keir Starmer and his new cabinet, we have many demands, and high hopes…! A copy of this issue will be sent to every relevant minister and department, and we’re looking forward to their responses, which we’ll be sharing with you.
So, going back to the summer theme, our Forum brings together
What do you think about current levels of accessibility in the built environment in your sector? Let me know, get in touch.
Juliet Davies, Editor
Please send any comments to the editor by email to the address above
Published by Blue Beetle Media Ltd www.bluebeetlemedia.co.uk
and conditions: Please note that points of view expressed in articles by contributing writers and in advertisements included in this journal do not necessarily represent those of the publishers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the journal, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publishers.
CONTRIBUTORS
Charlotte
Copyright © Blue Beetle Media 2024
Julia is the owner of We Care Home & Away, an inclusive travel agency, and plant-based pop-up catering company Vegilove.
GADGET: For the garden I have a pole with a hook on the end for getting to the root of a weed.
PASTIME: I grow most of the ingredients for Vegilove in my organic garden, which this year hasn't needed much watering!
Charlotte is RIBA’s Senior Policy Advisor, and an experienced public affairs professional with an interest in health inequalities.
GADGET: My Apple Watch, which I resisted getting for years and now never take off!
PASTIME: I've been practising yoga since the start of the pandemic and am finally seeing some improvement, and I'm very good at losing pub quizzes.
Julia Wingfield
Watson
Juliet
image: courtesy ROARR!
MAKE SOME NOISE! CASE STUDY
ROARR! is the number one dinosaur adventure attraction in the UK, and in recent years has seen some major developments and accessibility improvements. We speak to the Park Manager, Ben Francis, who tells us what makes ROARR! such a great day out for the family.
ROARR! was recognised for its accessibility in the coveted 2023-2024 East of England Tourism Awards, a finalist in Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Business category, and has been nominated for the Community Organisation Award for Disability in the National Diversity Awards. Most recently it bagged a Silver in VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence 2024 Accessible and Inclusive category.
In the past two years alone, ROARR! has introduced one new wheelchairaccessible mechanical ride and one ride that is accessible for those who can transfer from their chair, installed wheelchair-friendly picnic tables, opened a Changing Places facility (one of only three in the county), and resurfaced the Valley of the Dinosaurs Trail to make it more accessible.
It has also added BSL (British Sign Language) signage to the Secret Animal
Garden exhibits and introduced free admission for Essential Companions. Staff at the park are trained in BSL and there’s also a spacious Quiet Room that features sensory items such as a bubble tube and it also has a sofa and bean bags.
ROARR! is situated within 85 acres of a beautiful and natural woodland setting and endeavours, and includes both indoor and outdoor attractions.
But working with a woodland environment is always challenging!
“The ground will be uneven, a pathway must have many twists and turns to manoeuvre around the trees and, we live in Britain, so the weather impacts our environment and nature still grows,” explained Ben.
“When we formed our accessibility discussion group, it was because I felt the need for it to be become part of our conversations - not just an agenda point, but something that is considered in the wider conversation. This started
“I just wanted to email you and say thank you, thank you, thank you! We have been coming to the park for several years and this year was amazing. You made our daughter’s summer holiday. She is a wheelchair user and loves rides, we haven’t been able to take her on rides for a few years now because she’s too big and not safe out of her chair. She was thrilled and loved it! EMAIL FROM MPW
Left: ROARR! is situated within 85 acres of a beautiful and natural woodland setting
Above: Accessible swings allow everyone to join the fun! Below: The spacious Quiet Room features sensory items such as a bubble tube
with reaching out to local and national groups for advice and to understand what barriers are in place for those with additional needs that might stop them from enjoying the park.”
The team soon learned about small things they could do quickly, and bigger ideas for the longer term.
“We also discovered that the entire park was sensory due to the sounds, planting, and environment so there was a need for somewhere quiet for our guests,” said Ben. “So we set out our accessibility plan. Short-term, the aims of this were to create a quiet room, to make headphones available, to introduce a hearing loop throughout the park, as well as wheelchair benches. We also needed to widen the pathways, and offer additional needs groups the opportunity to visit the park and use the facilities after hours.
“In the medium term, our aims were to add a Changing Places facility, resurface
“Thank you! I’m currently at your park and I just wanted to email to say a huge thank you for making yourselves truly inclusive. I shed tears of joy today as I watched my son go on the first wheelchair accessible ride we’ve ever seen! We’ve struggled to transfer and hold him on gentle rides in the past but it’s just not possible now due to his size and strength!" EMAIL FROM ‘J’
pathways with tarmac and introduce BSL signage, relaxed theatre performances, subtitles on the movies, and more interactive hands-on Meet & Greets with our park characters.
“Long term our plan was to install rides which are accessible, making 80% of our attractions accessible. I am pleased to say we have achieved all these objectives, and we are one of the few theme parks in the UK today with accessible rides.”
Above: The Valley of the Dinosaurs Trail has been resurfaced to make it more accessible Below: X-Tinction Fossil Dig is a covered outdoor area that includes a raised sandpit
Valley of the Dinosaurs is an immersive and interactive 1207 metre trail with a hard surface path that combines educational adventure with thrills and surprises. The Valley is home to eleven animatronic dinosaurs for all adventurers to meet, and visitors are greeted by a statue of the Park’s imaginary Norfolk-born explorer Cornelius Weston-Smythe, the owner of this sanctuary for rescued dinosaurs.
X-Tinction Fossil Dig is a covered outdoor area, with sandpits and hidden fossils for children to excavate using the brushes provided. The area is accessible by a hard flat path. There are three sandpit areas; one with raised sandpits (two are 670mm high, and one is larger 910mm high made in a table style) and two sections where the sand is at floor level.
One of the rides is wheelchair accessible.
The Swing-O-Saurus is a twist on the traditional Victorian swing boat, and seats 12 passengers at a time, back-toback. It moves back and forth at a gentle pace that’s perfect for younger visitors, and incorporates a transfer seat.
The Raptor Contraptor can accommodate guests who wish to remain in their wheelchair whilst on the ride. It is a carousel of seats in eight pairs giving passengers the thrill of flying like a pterodactyl: thanks to the interactive experience, riders are in full control as they swoop and fly their way through the sky. There is a wheelchair accessible seat (manual wheelchair only), and a seat at low level so you don't have to step up to access. The wheelchair accessible seat is accessed by a small ramp. The low level seat has easier access for people with restricted mobility - the step is 140mm high onto a flat plate with the seat. These two seats have hand pedals (with adjustable height) to operate the up and down movement of the carousel seats. The ROARR! crew can control this is instead if required.
Other attractions include Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf, Dippy’s Splash Zone, and Tiny Terrosaurs, an under 7s outdoor play area which have varying accessibility features. For indoor fun, visit Dippy’s Theatre with
Top: Kevin Ward, Financial Director (left) and Adam Goymour, Company Director (right), celebrating winning Silver in VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence 2024 in the Accessible and Inclusive category
Below: The Swing-O-Saurus is a twist on the traditional Victorian swing boat, and incorporates a transfer seat
“ACCESSIBILITY IS NOW PART OF THE CONVERSATION, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IN THE FUTURE WILL HAVE AN ACCESSIBLE FEATURE”
BEN FRANCIS
daily screenings of dino-tastic animations and mascot Meet and Greets.
Hungry? There are several accessible cafes in the park, some of which are quiet, and with high colour contrast tables and chairs, and a number of outside picnic areas, which have flat or ramped access, plus tables for wheelchair users.
So what difficulties did they come up against when implementing these accessible elements?
“When we evaluated all our current activities and attractions, not everything was able to be changed to make it accessible,” Ben said. “As an example, the indoor play equipment has some lowerlevel accessible elements, but the structure isn’t accessible in its entirety. If we were putting the equipment in as new now, we would of course ensure that it was.
“We have learned to accept that not all existing elements can be adapted, but we are committed to ensuring that any new or replacement parts are adapted for inclusivity and accessibility. That’s the promise that we give to our guests.”
If you’re in need of some furry (or scaly) company, the Walled Victorian Garden
“THE CHANGES THAT WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS MEAN THAT OUR DISABLED GUESTS CAN COME TO ROARR! WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED” BEN FRANCIS
has a barn where visitors can meet a variety of animals including pigs, goats, ducks, iguanas, and bearded dragons to pet, and ask the keepers any questions. It has a hard, flat-surfaced unobstructed wide pathway, and signs with contact non-verbal signage and Makaton signs for the animal names.
Asked about what it was that inspired Ben’s desire for improving inclusivity, he said that in his previous career he worked with children with learning difficulties and for a local charity supporting young people in theatre.
Above: A new raised walkway has a gentle slope Below: The Changing Places facility is one of only three in the county
“Both had the ethos that anything was possible to get an accessible resolution,” he said. “At ROARR! accessibility has always been an agenda point for discussion; the difference now is that it is automatically and naturally part of the conversation. We still have close links with local accessibility groups who are very happy to point things out to us or to make us rethink something.
“We have attended seminars held by national groups and we are always willing to listen, to learn, and to adapt for our guests to do what is reasonably possible.”
Ben doesn’t think that it’s a case of ‘improving the experience’ for their disabled guests, or providing an alternative, it’s about offering disabled guests the same experience as anyone else on a day out at ROARR!.
“The changes that we have implemented and new developments mean that our disabled guests can come to ROARR! with the knowledge that we have what they need,” he said.
The Raptor Contraptor, a ride in Discovery Land which allows guests to fly as it can accommodate wheelchair guests with a flush platform and hand pedals instead foot pedals, is one of Ben’s favourite parts of the park.
“I also love our completely accessible Father Christmas Experience,” he said. “We offer time slots so the grotto can be a bespoke experience for all family requirements. If guests need the music off or quieter, that’s no problem, twinkly lights on static, no problem, a Father Christmas who can do Makaton or British sign Language again, no problem. We
WHO DID WHAT…
The companies and organisations who helped make ROARR! more inclusive and accessible include:
Specialist consultants: Access for All, Accessibility UK, Disabled Enabled, Twinkle SEN, ASD Helping Hands
Main contractor: Rides Zamperla
Product & Services Suppliers: Changing Place RISE, Wheelchair Benches, Benches UK
have had so many families thank us for allowing them to experience the magic of Christmas because everything has been adjusted for their needs.”
Ben and the team have worked really hard over the past few years to listen and learn, to implement an accessibility guide, and to reach out to groups for their advice.
“Accessibility is now part of the conversation, everything that we do in the future will have an accessible feature,” he said. “I am proud that we won Silver in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, Visit England Awards for Excellence 2024 and hope that in the future we can win Gold.”
Above: The Raptor Contraptor can accommodate guests who wish to remain in their wheelchair whilst on the ride
AKW BIGGER AND BETTER!
AKW, one of the UK’s leading providers of accessibility solutions, opened a new manufacturing facility and showroom in Middlewich in Cheshire this month.
The opening, hosted by Nick Parsons (below), Executive Chairperson of AKW Holdings Group, was attended by Clare Hayward MBE DL High Sheriff of Cheshire and the Mayor of Middlewich Cllr Simon Whittaker, and was a testament to AKW’s commitment to continued investment in British manufacturing and the accessible living community.
INVESTING IN ACCESSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE NORTH WEST
Nick Parsons explains the reason behind the new investment. “The opening of this showroom and manufacturing facility makes AKW the largest producer of bathroom and kitchen adaptation solutions in the North West,” he said. “We are very proud of the reputation that AKW has built up over the years for providing high quality inclusive bathroom and kitchen solutions that stand the test of time.
“VISITORS TO THE FACILITY CAN VIEW PRODUCTS FITTED AND WORKING IN THE ENVIRONMENTS THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED IN” STUART REYNOLDS
“With the opening of the Middlewich facility, now even more installers, specifiers and end users across the region will be able to experience the exceptional AKW and understand why our company strapline is ‘Life Made Better’.”
Following the acquisition of Contour Showers Limited in 2022, it quickly became clear that the existing Contour facility in Winsford would not be able to meet AKW’s manufacturing requirements. A new production site in Total Park, Middlewich, was subsequently taken on under a long-term lease and the layout amended
during construction to suit AKW’s needs.
The 26,000sq ft facility will produce accessible bathroom and kitchen products from across the company’s portfolio and features a large showroom and client assessment centre.
CLIENT ASSESSMENT CENTRE AND SHOWROOM
One of the most common issues faced by people looking to specify or use accessible bathrooms is their need to understand how the equipment will work in practice. The showroom will enable
occupational therapists (OTs), contractors, and other specifiers in the North West to experience AKW’s product range in situ and receive product training as needed.
OTs can also use the showroom as a client assessment centre, which is important as, due to recent cutbacks in the area, Independent Living centres are lacking in the region.
Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW explains further. “Our new showroom has been designed to enable a wide range of users to gain the knowledge they need to either specify,
Above: Clare Hayward MBE DL High Sheriff of Cheshire cuts the ribbon with Nick Parsons, Executive Chairperson of AKW Holdings Group
install or use an accessible bathroom or kitchen,” he told us.
“The showroom layouts have been designed to demonstrate the versatility of the products from the AKW product range which are commonly specified by local authorities, housing associations, occupational therapists and contractors. We believe the new showroom offers an adaptation solution for the most practical scenarios.
“We have also included products for people who may wish to have a more stylish bathroom adaptation than the products that are available within DFG funding.”
BATHROOM AND KITCHEN LAYOUTS
The showroom includes a fully functioning shower area, that incorporates all the product requirements which could be used as part of a Disabled Facility Grant. These include AKW’s new generation SmartCare Plus electric shower with remote control, the easy access Braddan shower tray, the M11 shower waste pump and shower seat and screen ranges. Alongside this shower area,
Above: Stephen Murphy, AKW Holdings Group CEO, gives guests at the launch an entertaining overview of the company
Below: Training facilities can provide support for OTs, architects, and specifiers
Left: The new production site has a layout amended during construction to suit AKW’s needs
“THE 1,600FT² ACCESSIBLE BATHROOM AND KITCHEN SHOWROOM PROVIDES OTS WITH AN ENVIRONMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THAT THEY CAN UTILISE AS A CLIENT ASSESSMENT CENTRE”
STUART REYNOLDS
AKW has also installed - and can show off the benefits of - the company’s latest rise and fall bidet solution.
When it comes to accessible kitchens, the showroom includes a fully functioning accessible kitchen that includes AKW rise and fall worktops, the ActivMotion Glide wall unit, pull down baskets, corner carousel cupboards. Having such a space in situ also enables those with concerns about wheelchair accessibility and space functionality to try out the items and see if they will work in their client’s (or their own) kitchens before purchase.
GRAND OPENING OF THE MIDDLEWICH
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY BATHROOMS
Dementia friendly products are also featured within the showroom. Careful consideration has been given to the layout, so that specifiers advising on bathroom navigation for those with dementia can see the types of solutions that are available to improve the lives of those living with the condition.
QUICK INSTALL STYLISH SOLUTIONS
AKW’s Onyx Care Pods are also on display. These standalone cubicles, available as both a step in and level access option, are a stylish and quick way for accessible showering to be included in a wide range of applications. The Onyx Care Pods were developed alongside local authorities, housing associations and occupational therapists, to assist them with the backlog being experienced in adaptations, as well as for those needing a suitable shower solution when discharged from hospital.
Investment in accessible living on this scale brings a wealth of advantages to the North West. AKW is pleased to be committing to making life better for those in this region and looks set to open their doors to many people over the coming years. ID
To find out more about the new facility visit akw-ltd. co.uk/akw-opensparsons-house or scan the QR code
SHOWROOM
The showroom is fully accessible and available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am and 3pm Friday. The general public are welcome as well as specifiers and
Occupational Therapists, but all by appointment only, so that staff are on hand to discuss products and so that visitors have sole use of the showroom area.
To find out more call 01905 823 298 or book a visit via www.akw-ltd.co.uk/contact
Above: The showroom includes a fully functioning accessible kitchen
About AKW
AKW is the UK market leader in showering, daily living and kitchen solutions for people with mobility needs. Choice, competitive pricing, and first-class customer service makes AKW the first choice for clients across the UK and abroad.
AKW works closely with Occupational Therapists and Healthcare professionals, to design and manufacture a full range of easy access showering, kitchens and mobility support products. AKW’s clients include the majority of local authorities, housing associations as well as national and regional contractors.
For more information contact AKW on 01905 823298, email: sales@akw-ltd. co.uk, or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk
ADVANTAGE ANDY!
Para pickleball champion, Andy McErlean, 54, from Waterlooville near Portsmouth, has recently chosen a Stiltz Trio+ Homelift as the centrepiece to his remodelled contemporary and accessible home.
Andy is a professional sportsman living with lower limb paralysis and is a full-time, active wheelchair user. As a soldier stationed on his first post in Hamburg, Andy was injured in a serious car crash aged 19. He and two other Army engineers were returning to camp after competing in a rugby tournament when their vehicle was involved in a collision. Andy sustained significant injuries including a life-changing spinal fracture and after being 'put back together' was flown home to RAF Warton.
He pulled through intensive care and then began his long road to recovery which involved rehabilitation at Odstock Hospital in Salisbury. Today, Andy continues to fulfil his passion for winning at sport - helped by fewer distracting accessibility issues at home.
Encouraged by his dad, Andy began playing tennis at an early age and since then has also enjoyed many other sports. Following his injury, Andy tried a variety of inclusive sports; however, he gravitated back to playing with a racket.
"I've been lucky enough to go on to win in several tennis tournaments including the New Zealand Open wheelchair mixed doubles, World Team Cup in France, Paralysed Veterans of America Games and two Invictus Games,” he said. "I also supported Team GB by being a 'training hitter' at two Paralympics. I have so many highlights from my sporting career but it’s the amazing people I spent time with who really stick in my memory."
Andy continues to play wheelchair tennis now and again however para pickleball is his latest focus. As a compact form of tennis, played with paddles and a plastic ball, this sport is taking the country by storm. It's currently estimated that there is a 60% increase in the number of players taking up this inclusive sport each year.
“IT'S FUNCTIONAL, SIMPLE, COOL, SIMPLY A FANTASTIC SOLUTION. IT FULFILS EVERYTHING WE EVER WANTED FROM A HOMELIFT.” ANDY MCERLEAN
"I first saw pickleball on the news a few years ago,” Andy explained. “Following a couple of games with a school friend of mine, I was hooked. There's not too much court to cover and it's a great, great game if you're in a wheelchair. I went on to compete for the first time at the 2023 Nationals in Bolton and was lucky enough to win.
“It was a round robin event so I'm not getting too big for my boots! I'm entering the same competition in Telford later this year along with the English Open Pickleball Tournament. I'll be training soon to get into shape for both - following our home remodel, I have a new gym so there are no excuses."
Andy's lives with his wife Cathy, a primary school teacher. They have recently finished an extensive conversion of their dormer bungalow to a substantial, two-storey four-bedroom house. Finished in a clean, 'New England' style, the property is light, airy
Right: Andy’s dog loves the lift as much as he does!
and spacious, with widened doorways and no thresholdsperfect for accessibility.
This 12-month build has resulted in a home which looks good and offers maximum practicality, just like their Stiltz Homelift. As the central feature to their building conversion, the Trio+ Homelift is tastefully situated in a hallway alcove. Andy no longer has to deal with transfers out of his wheelchair and onto a stairlift, resulting in as he says, "no longer stressing about getting between floors, it's all seamless without any thought."
"Our homelift is a game changer,” Andy went on to say. "Now I don't have to transfer on and off a stairlift, especially at the top of the stairs which always felt unsafe. Plus, if I forget something upstairs or downstairs, I can get back quicker by getting in the lift. And the other thing is, how the lift looks. It's nice and contemporary so it matches our new home. That was one of the reasons we bought it, not only did it need to be functional, it needed to look great as well. And it certainly does, it ticks all the boxes.
"I found out about Stiltz Homelifts from my wife who watches DIY SOS. A Stiltz was featured on the TV show and I said, 'that looks like a nice bit of kit'. So we researched them as we were remodelling our entire house. I wanted to get away from a stairlift as it wasn't nice to look at and was getting harder to use all the time."
Andy and Cathy knew how important a lift was going to be if their new accessible home was to work holistically. So they decided to prioritise the position of the Trio+, in essence planning the house around it.
"We had a lovely chat with a Stiltz representative,” said Andy. “He got the ball rolling and throughout the whole process he liaised with our architect and builder. By positioning the Trio+ in the hall alcove, we then designed the rest of the house around it, including a large upstairs landing. The process of installing the lift, from start to finish, was fantastic."
The spacious Trio+ from Stiltz accommodates a passenger using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. Along with level access and multiple safety features, Andy's lift has a powered automatic door so he can travel between floors in less than 30 seconds.
Cathy is also finding it useful. ”The lift is really easy to use and reliable,” she said. “It's just superb. I use the lift to take heavier things upstairs like my standing frame or suitcases, like when my little nephew stayed the other week. Our many young nieces and nephews all love the lift. They say 'Uncle Andy's lift is so cool!'"
Owning a homelift is part of daily life, it feels normal says the McErleans. They are proud of their lift and all their friends experience the 'wow factor' when they see it. Even their cockerpoos Daisy and Duke are fans with tails wagging every time Andy appears. "I'm a hero every time I come down in the lift!" he said. "It's worth going upstairs just for that! To see their little faces when I come down always makes me smile."
As Andy and Cathy put the challenges of their building project behind them, they can look forward to a future with life a little easier at home. Andy can seamlessly access their whole house and getting to the gym for pre-tournament training couldn’t be easier. Their homelift is now the mainstay of accessible living and perfectly complements their contemporary decor.
"I'd recommend a Stiltz Homelift because it's a life changer,” concluded Andy. “It just makes everything easier. It's functional, simple, cool, simply a fantastic solution. It fulfils everything we ever wanted from a homelift.”
Find out more at www.stiltz.co.uk
Why have a stairlift? When you could have a real lift!
A Stiltz Homelift is an ideal and affordable alternative to a stairlift. You can now safely travel between the floors in your home while keeping your stairs the way they have always been.
Neat, discreet, affordable and elegant
A Stiltz Homelift can be installed into almost any room in your home.
A Stiltz is uniquely compact with the smallest model taking up just over half a square metre. At the touch of a button a Stiltz Homelift turns your now home into your forever home.
Free, no obligation survey
A Stiltz Homelifts Consultant can visit your property to help you plan the best location for your homelift.
They can also answer any questions you might have, as can any of the friendly, UK-based phone team.
For a FREE brochure or no obligation survey give Stiltz Homelifts a call today!
The UK’s Number 1 Homelift
• Rapid service
• Cost-effective
• Freestanding designno wall needed
• Small footprint
• 3-floor travel available
• Wheelchair model available
• Manufactured, installed and fully guaranteed by Stiltz
• Finance options available*
* ask an adviser for details
‘Excellent’
A HOME ADVANTAGE
On 27th June Foundations hosted the DFG Children Summit in Birmingham, a gathering focused on enhancing the delivery of home adaptations for disabled children. Paul Smith, Foundations’ Director, told us that it had been truly inspiring to spend the day with so many dedicated individuals and professionals, all sharing a common goal: to improve the lives of children through better, more effective home adaptations…
One of the key takeaways from the summit was the clear difference between what a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can pay for, what a disabled child and their family needs, and how they envision living in their home.
While DFGs are designed to fund necessary adaptations, it’s not always going to be able to meet the holistic needs of the family. The family's vision for their home, incorporating both functional and emotional elements, frequently extends beyond the financial limits of a DFG.
“A WELL-FUNDED ADAPTATION CAN PROVIDE A MORE STABLE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILD, OFTEN AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE”
As discussed during the event, the complexity and cost of cases are rising. In a small but significant number of cases, DFG now represents a minority funding stream. The increasing complexity of these cases demands a more nuanced approach to funding and collaboration.
ECONOMIC RATIONALE
When the cost of taking a disabled child into care can soar to £280,000 per year, the economic rationale for investing in home adaptations and keeping that child with their family is well made: a well-funded
adaptation can provide a more stable, nurturing environment for the child, often at a fraction of the cost of institutional care.
Achieving this requires a concerted effort from various departments and organisations. The summit emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. When faced with potentially expensive cases, it is crucial not to treat them as standard DFG cases.
Instead, we should assemble a dedicated team to work closely with the family, crafting a comprehensive solution and funding package. This package might include contributions from the family, social services, and in some cases, the NHS. Such a collaborative approach ensures that the adaptation meets the full spectrum of the child's needs and supports the family's well-being.
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
A practical example discussed at the summit involved a family with a severely disabled child requiring extensive home modifications. The initial DFG allocation was insufficient, prompting a collaborative effort involving social services and the NHS. By pooling resources and expertise, the team developed a solution that not only catered to the child's immediate needs but also anticipated future requirements, providing a sustainable living environment. This approach not only enhanced the child's quality of life but also significantly reduced long-term public sector costs.
The overarching message from the summit was clear: there is a substantial prize in terms of the well-being of disabled children and their families, and in the reduction of long-term public sector costs, if we can get our approach right.
The current system, while effective in many ways, is facing new challenges due to increasing costs and complexity that it wasn't originally designed to meet. To truly support disabled children and their families, we must adopt a more flexible, family-centred approach. This means looking beyond the confines of DFGs and embracing a collaborative model that includes multiple stakeholders.
A PARADIGM SHIFT
To sum up, the DFG Children Summit underscored the need for a paradigm shift in how we approach home adaptations for disabled children. The path forward involves recognising the limitations of current funding mechanisms and fostering greater collaboration between Councils. By doing so, we can create environments that not only meet the immediate needs of disabled children but also enhance their overall quality of life, while delivering longterm cost savings for the public sector.
Further information can be found at www.foundations.uk.com
Opposite page: A well-funded adaptation can provide a more stable, nurturing environment for the child, often at a fraction of the cost of institutional care
Below: Paul Smith, Foundations’ Director, takes the stage and Steve Ford, Chief Executive of RCOT, presents his talk
“THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF CASES DEMANDS A MORE NUANCED APPROACH TO FUNDING AND COLLABORATION”
PAUL SMITH, DIRECTOR, FOUNDATIONS
INSTALLING INCLUSIVITY
EA Mobility is a family-run national company specialising in enabling the lives of disabled people. With over two decades of experience, they specialise in creating accessible spaces through adapted bathrooms, wet-rooms, kitchens, access ramps, and associated building works.
Rod Davis, EA Mobility’s National Healthcare Manager, told us that they take great pride in enabling disabled people in the comfort of their own homes, which is why they offer comprehensive nationwide coverage for projects of all sizes.
“Our specialist team acknowledges the unique access requirements of each individual, resulting in discreet, swift, and personalised services with a focus on high-quality materials,” he explained. “EA Mobility is approved and accredited by Trading Standards Approved Code, Which Trusted Traders, and Safe Local Trades and Services. Our installers, accessors, and project managers are fully trained, and DBS cleared.”
Who: We collaborate directly with Occupational Therapists and Care Professionals supporting clients in need of significant changes.
How: Our comprehensive process involves managing projects from concept to completion. We document conversations and log the installation process, ensuring thorough coverage. We have our own dedicated team of installers, that have been trained the EA way!
Where & When: We operate across the UK, offering a level of service consistent throughout. We are often asked ‘When can you start?’ Our mission as a company is to commence within four to six weeks of contract signed.
Visit eamobility.com or call 0800 955 8810 to find out more about what EA Mobility can do to help you with your next project.
Above: Wet rooms seamlessly combine style with practicality.
Below: The bathroom range includes a wide selection of Assisted Baths.
“OUR SPECIALIST TEAM ACKNOWLEDGES THE UNIQUE ACCESS REQUIREMENTS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL”
ROD DAVIS
EA Mobility is a nationwide provider of accessible bathrooms, kitchens, and home adaptations, operating specifically within the care sector.
• 3 Year Installation warranty as standard.
• Employed Installers, we do not rely on sub-contracted labour.
• Short lead times, typically 4-6 weeks from written instructions to starting the project.
• A specialist company with empathy and understanding of the client at its heart.
DEMANDS ON DESIGN
Accessible design, design for neurodiversity, inclusive design; these are not new terms, but seeing these design concepts translate into reality in the built environment has been a long time coming, and is now climbing up the agenda.
As this movement gathers momentum, Altro look to how and why design for neurodiversity resonates so widely at this point in time, and talk to some of the people making a change by demanding the design community do better…
In October 2022 a diverse group of people from all over the world gathered in Manchester at Material Source, for lively discussion on best practices and obstacles in inclusive design and how they can be
“COULD IT BE THAT FINALLY, WE ARE SEEING AN APPETITE FOR ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS ‘BY PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE’, THAT COME FROM AN UNDERSTANDING OF LIVED EXPERIENCE?”
overcome. At least one project manager left early: “I’m not being rude,” he said as he rushed for the door. “I’ve just realised that the project we’re about to sign off on has missed the point, and now I can see how we need to do it differently. If I leave now, I can fix it.”
The event, focused on inclusive design and neurodiversity, was hosted by flooring and walling manufacturer Altro, and was one of the early developments in a collaborative passion project that has
gathered momentum over the past three years.
In November 2023 Joe Hurst, Altro’s Social Care Key Account Manager, Stephanie Kyle of Maber Architects and Maria Luigia Assirelli of Floyd Slaski Architects, are together again at Altro’s Letchworth HQ, meeting a large contingent from a major NHS Trust.
Around the table are the NHS Trust’s Head of Mental Health, Head of Capex Refurb Projects, Facilities Managers and more, and they are here for an open and honest conversation about their buildings, and about creating ‘places of safety.’
They’re here because someone from their Trust was at one of a series of workshops organised by Altro, with industry-leading speakers such as Steph and Maria, where they learned that there is a different way to approach design for neurodiversity, that inclusive design doesn’t have to cost more if you consider it at the right stage, that meeting building regs simply means doing the bare minimum, which is not really enough, and that those in charge of building projects have a responsibilityand an opportunity - to do more. Could it be that finally, we are seeing an appetite for architecture and interiors ‘by people, for people’, that come from
“THROUGH ALTRO’S VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER PROGRAMME I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE QUESTIONS AROUND DESIGN FOR NEURODIVERSITY, TO GET A CONVERSATION STARTED”
JOE HURST, SOCIAL CARE KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER, ALTRO
an understanding of lived experience and that acknowledge, accept and better still, celebrate, diversity amongst our population? The strength of response from those who have attended Altro’s various forums and workshops would suggest that yes, that appetite is there.
Why now? Well in part because of the way in which the message is being delivered. This is personal for the people involved; they care passionately, and that passion is infectious.
THE IMPACT OF DESIGN
As Altro’s Social Care Key Account Manager, Joe Hurst understands the importance of inclusive design from many different viewpoints, working with designers, architects, facilities managers, care homes and more. As a parent of an autistic son, he’s seen the impact of design decisions play out in real life. “Through Altro’s Voice of the Customer programme I had the opportunity to raise questions around design for neurodiversity, to get a conversation started,” he said.
Above: 4,000 people have taken Altro’s Design for Neurodiversity
CPD Left: Altro’s Forum events have seen almost 500 people so far taking part
This is also personal for Steph Kyle of Maber Architects, who was diagnosed as autistic in 2020, nearly 15 years after a diagnosis of auditory processing
disorder, which presents in a similar way. Her interest was sparked as a child when an architecture company visited her school. They were involved in building a new aquarium in the city. Steph and her classmates visited the completed building, which she describes as “horrific, the worst building ever!”.
From here began the start of a special interest in building regulations and design for neurodiversity. “Every project I did at university focused on neurodiversity, on being autistic,” Steph told us. “I accumulated all this knowledge, reading scientific papers for fun. But then I would speak to people who had been architects for 25 years and find they didn’t know the basics about inclusive design, not even accessible toilets. How could this be the case?”
INNOVATIVE FACILITIES
Maria Luigia Assirelli of Floyd Slaski Architects also explored her passion
“I HAVE A LOGICAL MIND, AND I LOVE ARCHITECTURE WITH A PURPOSE”
MARIA LUIGIA ASSIRELLI, FLOYD SLASKI ARCHITECTS
for accessible design as part of her architecture training. An architectural study and dissertation on a rehabilitation centre in Rome led her to a Masters in healthcare design. In 2005, she met Christopher Beaver of GA Architects, who has been dedicated to designing neurodiverse-friendly buildings since 1996, creating innovative facilities for children with severe learning difficulties.
Together, Maria and Christopher conduct seminars and round tables to delve into ways to enhance their designs. Maria describes design for neurodiversity as “a puzzle to put together. I have a logical mind, and I love architecture with a purpose.”
Maria and Steph were just two of the experts brought together by Altro over the past few years for Altro Forum events in Manchester, Letchworth and London. Also involved are Sarah Darwin of PHI Architects who specialises in low energy, Passivhaus projects and designing for special needs and autism and who has shared her
Above: Dorridge Primary School features Altro Whiterock Digiclad sheets which can be custom printed
“PEOPLE DON’T DESIGN BADLY ON PURPOSE. THEY JUST DON’T REALISE THEY NEED TO CONSIDER, AND THAT CHANGES IF WE CHANGE THE ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION SYSTEM, WHICH CURRENTLY PRIORITISES CREATIVE DESIGN OVER FUNCTIONAL, ACCESSIBLE DESIGN, BUT YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY HAVE BOTH”
STEPH KYLE, MABER ARCHITECTS
experiences as a designer and as a parent to a 21 year old son with autism, and Professor Anastasios Maragiannis, Professor of Inclusive Design who presented on diversity and inclusion.
A MORAL OBLIGATION
Maria believes in the importance of education, and that part of the architectural journey should be the obligation to the end user. “User experience should play a major part in architectural education, and in forming guidance and regulations,” she said. “We have a moral obligation to stand up for something just and not accept second best.”
Education is the key factor for Steph, too. “People don’t design badly on purpose,” she pointed out. “They just don’t realise they need to consider, and that changes if we change the architectural education system, which currently prioritises creative
design over functional, accessible design, but you can absolutely have both.”
Between 400 and 500 people have taken part in Altro’s Forum events, with a further 4,000 taking up Altro’s Design for Neurodiversity CPD. “It’s an educational journey to engage with people,” explained Joe. “This is just the start of helping build better for the future, we’re in the infancy of raising awareness. We can’t educate everyone on our own, we need to work together.”
Find out more at www.altro.com
ABOUT ALTRO
Altro has been at the forefront of innovation for over 100 years. Today, working closely with architects, end customers, engineers, designers and contractors around the world, our insight and expertise help them transform everyday spaces into environments that can improve the wellbeing of everyone that uses them.
And by consistently turning creative thinking into practical, real-world solutions - that maintain the highest standards of safety and durability - Altro has become synonymous with quality.
As a family-founded business, we have a strong sense of what we value and a way of thinking inspired by The Bauhaus - a balance of quality, form and design-led function - that puts people’s needs at the heart of everything we do. It’s a humancentred approach to designing for the demands of 21st century life. It’s a history that means we value the bold, the brave and the new. From focusing on how the different sectors we serve need their spaces to perform, to the call for more environmentally sustainable materials, Altro is constantly challenging what is possible and seeking new ways of inspiring our customers and answering their biggest challenges.
With offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific, we remain committed to developing solutions that stand the test of time.
We combine the best in contemporary style with the functionality required to improve the way we all live and work, wherever in the world that may be.
We are Altro. Designed for possibilities. Made for people.
Below: Altro Wood Comfort flooring; biophilic, homely aesthetics combined with 14dB noise reduction
GET AWAY!
It’s now a time of year when many people are packing a case and heading off for a summer break, and the tourist and hospitality industries are at full stretch. But how good is the accessibility in many resorts, hotels, restaurants, and bars?
Tell us a little about your company/ organisation.
Rosie Radwell, Managing Director, Marsham Court Hotel, Paula Hansen, Director, World Accessible Holidays, Steve Welsh, Company Director, Holistic Thinking Holidays, Sylvia Mahal, Owner, Elevated Accessible Holiday Homes, and Julia Wingfield, Director, We Care Home & Away discuss what’s good, what needs to improve, and how can this be achieved.
Rosie: The Marsham Court Hotel is an independent family owned and operated hotel. We welcome leisure and business guests predominantly from the UK but also a smaller number of international visitors. We have 95 bedrooms (including five accessible bedrooms) and two self catering apartments. Our accessible bedrooms all have profiling beds, removable ceiling hoists and wet rooms. In addition to this we have a Changing Places toilet and shower, a sensory room, guests’ laundry facilities,
Above: Wilbur, one of Holistic Thinking Holidays’ caravans at Haven's Caister on Sea Holiday Park in Norfolk
and additional equipment such as tilting commode shower chairs can also be provided on request.
The outdoor pool has the addition of an i-Swim pool hoist, and a shuffle board and portable hoist are available for transfer if required. All public areas have level access including our outdoor terraces and poolside areas. A wheelchair accessible lift is available at the front entrance of the hotel.
Paula: As accessible holiday specialists we work with Case Managers, Care Managers and directly with customers to find their perfect holiday. This involves a detailed assessment of their requirements not only from a medical perspective but also what they want from their holiday.
We then use our extensive database of hotels to match with our clients’ needs and provide them with three or four options that fit. We add in medical equipment hire direct to the property, accessible tours, accessible transfers, and anything the client needs to make the holiday the best it can be. We also assess the built environment for suitability.
Once we have booked their guaranteed accessible room or property, we take care of all the assistance request with the airlines and speak to the hotel about any additional requirements. We always try to use High Street operators to get the best price, but where this is not possible we have our own ATOL bond to package directly. We are there for the customer as their advocate and available 24/7 whilst they are on holiday.
Steve: We provide accommodation at ten UK destinations that provide an inclusive holiday experience for families that are challenged by complex mobility issues.
Sylvia: Elevated Holiday Homes provides accessible holiday bungalows with hoists for guests who need wheelchair adapted properties.We have bungalows in Weymouth, Poole, and Clacton on Sea. All of the bungalows have a ceiling track hoist, a profiling bed and a wet room, with additional equipment available on request.
Julia: Originally set up to provide care for the expat community in Normandy, France, I came up with idea of providing care for tourists. However, it soon became apparent that there were few accessible places to stay and those that claimed to have good access fell well short of UK standards.
My ex-partner already owned a partly renovated property which some of our clients used as respite, so we had knowledge of the area, and valuable contacts with builders and architects, plus an understanding of running a business in France from the UK.
Above:
All of Holistic Thinking Holidays' caravans include H frame ceiling hoists and a profiling bed
“MOST OF OUR ENQUIRIES RELATE TO THE PROVISION OF HOISTS AND PROFILING BEDS. WE PROVIDE THESE FOR NO ADDITIONAL COST AT ALL LOCATIONS”
STEVE WELSH, HOLISTIC THINKING HOLIDAYS
Our search started with a small chambre d’hote, then a presbyterian in St James, a camp site in Cherbourg, and a fishing lake, but when my ex-partner’s house unexpectedly became available it was an opportunity to finish what he'd started.
Spread over two floors the entrance is a useful area to store mobility scooters leading into the lounge which is bright and airy.
The double bedroom has ample space for side to side transfer and will have profile bed. At the moment there's a gantry hoist, but this will be replaced by a permanent ceiling hoist.
The ensuite wet room has a 1.5m turning circle with sink with room for a wheelchair user to fit their legs under. The toilet has handrails and a self propelling commode chair which fits neatly over the wc and can be used in the shower.
Many accessible accommodations still assume that the carer will do all of the cooking, but I am always the one who cooks at home, and the same applies when we go away. In our holiday property a wheelchair user can access the whole kitchen and we're incorporating some neat adaptions for visually impaired guests. The pretty courtyard garden is decked with a gravel area for guide or assistant dogs.
All light switches and plug sockets are at wheelchair height, but we aim to go further and install equipment specifically for anyone with a sensory loss.
The intention is to convert the upstairs so that families can enjoy all that Normandy has to offer whilst taking in the needs of people who are neuro diverse. My son has autism and his needs are rarely taken into consideration, prone to sensory overload he craves his own space where he can listen to his music, or sit in silence. Talking to the parents of children and adults with the same condition I can see a similarity to when my father developed dementia and neurodivergent who are non-verbal; both face communication barriers.
Being a wheelchair user for 38 years gives me lived experience, but when I took my deaf/blind friend with me to the house in Normandy she didn't require ramps, wide doors or hoists, she needed to see a contrast between the walls and the light switches.
What sets We Care Home Away apart from the others is that we are consulting with experts equipped with the understanding that inclusive design is for everybody in our building.
What accessible features are you most commonly asked about, and how often is this request able to be successfully fulfilled?
Paula: Bathrooms are by far the most important and very often these are not shown on websites of properties. We collect images of these so we can make them available to our clients before they make the decision to book.
The other one is family rooms with accessible features which seem to be few and far between even though disability affects children and parents.
There are some great examples where hotels and restaurants get it right, so it is absolutely possible. We love the Kimpton Vividora in Barcelona for the bathroom design and accessible rooftop terrace. Unfortunately they removed the pool hoist as they had been having issues with it. Hadn’t realised until I checked for a customer yesterday.
Steve: Most of our enquiries relate to the provision of hoists and profiling beds. We provide these for no additional cost at all locations.
Sylvia: Our guests ask for profiling beds and hoists, we are always able to fulfil this request.
“BATHROOMS ARE BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT AND VERY OFTEN THESE ARE NOT SHOWN ON WEBSITES OF PROPERTIES”
PAULA HANSEN, WORLD ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAYS
Right: The outdoor pool at Marsham Court Hotel has an i-Swim pool hoist Below: The Changing Places room at Marcham Court Hotel
Julia: I conducted a survey with the Spinal Cord (SCI) and Deaf/Blind Community (D/B). The overwhelming response from SCI was ‘can we get to bed, can we use the toilet, and can we shower.’ Shower chairs or commodes were preferable to fixed seating (too may incidents of chairs coming off walls) Beds at the correct height were a must. Toilets with handrails. For D/B it was communication and safety aids.
For us, we can offer care - it's there if you need it, we have English speaking emergency contact numbers which is rare when you visit a self contained holiday gite in France.
What have been your (or your clients’) best accessible hospitality experiences?
Steve: For us the best experience we have had was when we found that one of the
sites we were looking to buy a caravan on, already had a large changing facility at the pool with a ceiling hoist, changing bench and a pool hoist! Unfortunately, it isn’t promoted as even being there!
Sylvia: Our guests can enjoy a holiday with no stress. They are able to turn up on holiday without having to bring lots of equipment with them.
Julia: A rare find in Normandy, a hotel in Bayeaux with a sumptuous bedroom and shower room, granted I did have to take my own mobility aids, but customer service was exceptional. For me a holiday is about the experience, the whole package.
Rosie: We love the fact that we get so many guests visit us who have been unable to enjoy time away from home
before as the facilities in most hotels are not suitable. We frequently welcome groups of friends and families who are able to travel together without anyone being excluded.
Paula: The best experiences are always the ones where you don’t see the accessibility, it has been built into the design. We have some great examples of properties with great accessible design that our clients have loved. Being able to experience the venue like everyone else means you go away having had a great time - service dependent of course.
We did a great video in Santa Ana Square in Madrid of the accessibility from the outdoor space to the disabled toilet in Tapa Tapa Restaurant, which was super easy for our son to navigate in his chair.
“WE LOVE THE FACT THAT WE GET SO MANY GUESTS VISIT US WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ENJOY TIME AWAY FROM HOME BEFORE”
ROSIE RADWELL, MARSHAM COURT HOTEL
Design-wise what do you think the sector most often gets wrong - and right?
Sylvia: More thought needs to be put into accessibility, access to toilets and changing places.
Julia: With restaurants - tables! It's not rocket science, I need to get my chair under the table. Fixed seats or bistro style tables are a big no. Mirrors in the toilets at wheelchair height. Please don't use the toilet as a storage room, do I really need to battle with the sanitary bin?!
And turn the music down please, my neuro diverse son sits with his noise cancelling headphones on throughout the entire meal. As someone with a very restrictive diet, I and my son are not 'picky eaters' so restaurants and bars who go out of their way to adapt a menu for us get a big thumbs up.
Rosie: The main issue is that one size does not fit all. Most properties make changes without having any lived experience. It is vital to get feedback from various people with varying disabilities, so that you can come to an informed decision without compromising on what you are trying to offer.
Restaurants put in disabled toilets but if there is a step into the restaurant with no
Left: The Rose Marie Lodge in Clacton, one of Sylvia’s holiday homes, has level access throughout Below: Bedroom with ceiling hoist at Hilda’s Retreat in Poole, one of Sylvia’s properties
“OUR GUESTS CAN ENJOY A HOLIDAY WITH NO STRESS. THEY ARE ABLE TO TURN UP ON HOLIDAY WITHOUT HAVING TO BRING LOTS OF EQUIPMENT WITH THEM”
SYLVIA
MAHAL, ELEVATED ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY HOMES
ramp it will not help anyone in a wheelchair.
Most issues come where they provide the facility without looking at the visitor journey to that facility.
Having to go through kitchens and pass bins as the establishment has not thought about how they would get there is one of the biggest stumbling blocks.
Paula: In our experience it varies by country, so it isn’t an easy question to answer. ADA legislation in the US makes it very difficult for properties to skimp on accessibility, whereas in the UK we often find legislation is more a guide than a necessity.
Spain is quite advanced, although even there we have found difficulties, but they are looking to improve. I recently took part in the Spain For All Forum with other travel industry experts and the Spanish Tourism Board. They are keen to learn and make changes. If we compare London with Valencia for example 93% of its metro system is fully accessible compared to 33% of London Underground. Improvements are planned, but we are behind. What do venues get wrong? Accessibility is an afterthought in many cases. A ramp is shoehorned in rather than being built into the design for everyone to use. Steps to the entrance of the property, revolving doors without other options, no entrance for wheelchair users at all, steepness of ramps, making design functionally medical rather than a beautiful design, menus in small fonts, no access to swimming pools for wheelchair users, no demarkation between the surfaces to show transition to different areas or from flat to steps, lack of signage, bathroom layouts being unusable eg towel rails up high or shower gel far away from the shower seat. I could go on, there are so many things we see every day which turn disabled customers away from services, which loses the venue potential income.
What do they get right? The opposite of the above. We visited Warwick University recently to check it out for our son. Completely accessible and everything was built into the design. The ramps were for everyone, so no-one used steps. It was perfect and now the most attractive, because of its design features. Not a hospitality example, but the most recent example - and they do have a student bar which sort of counts!
Steve: In general, many of the teams on site are well prepared for the challenges presented to and by families who have greater accessibility needs, and respond well to it, but unfortunately in a lot of cases they are working with facilities that don’t meet their needs. The staff on the ground are normally really helpful, but often have very limited means to provide the necessary help. Holiday parks still have quite a bit to learn in relation to their provisions. Accessible changing/toilet facilities across holiday
FORUM: Tourism &
parks is still quite sparse, and unfortunately even where there is a changing places facility on site, it is often poorly located. More importantly the holiday parks don’t really provide suitable accommodation for the families have the need for a changing places facility ie with hoisting and changing benches.
The other area that needs improving is the booking experience. Unfortunately, at least one of the major UK holiday park companies still doesn’t advertise pricing for their wheelchair accessible accommodation, and to book you have to make a telephone call.
What do you think venues need to do to improve the experience for their guests/ clients?
Julia: Make the booking system easier. Take as many pictures of key features with room dimensions as possible so that I know what I do or don't have to bring with me for me and my family.
Rosie: Staff training is the key. Make sure your staff understand and are trained by the right people. Ask people to spend a day in a wheelchair and get around so they understand some of the struggles or wear a blindfold to see how a blind person adapts and gets around for the day.
We take our abilities for granted every day and for some they have no option but to make do. Everyone should be entitled to the same service and expectations. Create a group of people who will look at the accessibility of the property, how that journey is from start to finish. From websites and videos, to making a booking, to the guests welcome on arrival, throughout the stay and the departure. Do the guests have the right equipment? You cannot be everything to everyone but as long as you have shown willingness and have gained the knowledge from people that have lived experience they can guide you.
“A GARDEN REALLY BRINGS AN ESCAPE FROM DAY-TO-DAY STRESSES…”
JULIA WINGFIELD, WE CARE HOME & AWAY
WANT TO CONTACT ANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ARTICLE?
k www.marshamcourthotel.co.uk
k www.worldaccessibleholidays.co.uk
k www.holisticthinkingholidays.co.uk
k www.elevatedholidays.co.uk
k www.wecarehomeandaway.com
Paula: Look at design from the view point of the disabled guest, because unless you are in their shoes you can’t understand what is needed. There are some great disabled consultants out there who can help with design and if you listen to your disabled guests by getting them involved early you can potentially save money in the long run. Building into the design of the space can be better value and more attractive to clients than shoe horning in changes later.
Steve: The venues are becoming more accessible, but the single biggest improvement that holiday parks could make would be to make the toilets, changing facilities and swimming pools more accessible. It’s starting to happen when some parks are being upgraded, but there’s still a very long way to go.
Sylvia: I think venues need to make space for wheelchair users to move around the venue, space to sit at tables to eat, or an area with clear views for the wheelchair user, if it’s a theatre or show venue.
Any final words?
Rosie: Look at which venues are doing it well and don’t be afraid to go and visit them and ask for their help. If they are passionate about what they have accomplished, they will be more than happy to share and would love people to visit and hear from them.
Paula: Every day we speak to businesses and it is very dependent on the person you speak to on the day what result you get. Speak to one person and they think an accessible room is one where a wheelchair can fit through a door but speak to another and they understand that we need more than this. Good training is paramount and not a tick box exercise. Employ disabled trainers or consultants and refresh regularly. Our best experiences have been where we have found someone who really wants to help, understands, goes the extra mile and can be a bit pragmatic about finding solutions.
Steve: In our view, the holiday parks should start to tackle the shortfall in their accessible provision, by taking an approach that, like the bricks and mortar building regulations, starts with seeking to provide a provision that either meets everyone’s needs from the outset or can easily be adapted to meet those needs.
Accessible holiday park accommodation is made in low volume as a special at present, and therefore comes with a price premium. A few simple changes to the standard models would not only make them usable to those with mobility issues, but would also provide a more comfortable experience for others too.
Above: Wheelchair users have full access of the kitchen in Julia’s holiday home to prepare meals
SEEING RED
Our new Labour government have come in on a huge wave of expectation, and the hopes and dreams of a better future for many are now in their hands. In this ‘open letter’ we’ve asked our readers and contributors to let them know what they want to see prioritised, and what needs to be enacted by the new administration…
Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact & External Affairs at Habinteg, says that the new government should act now to avoid deepening the accessible homes crisis.
With a new Labour government entering Westminster this week, we’re beginning to hear more about its plans, including the central role that new homes and infrastructure projects will have.
With a house building target of 1.5 million over the course of the parliament, Habinteg is keen to ensure that new homes are designed to be inclusive and adaptable so that every one of them helps us meet the housing needs of both current and future generations, particularly disabled and older people.
At Habinteg we hear all too often from new tenants about the struggles they’ve had in finding a suitable home. People tell us how ‘making do’ in an inaccessible place has impacted their physical and mental health and overall wellbeing. The positive impacts of finding an accessible property are so often things that non-disabled people take for granted, such as telling the children a bedtime story in their own room and tucking them in, making a Sunday roast for the family, or simply getting out into the garden with ease. Securing an accessible home can even be the deciding factor in being able to accept a job offer.
One tenant whose experience stood out for me was the man who told us that
“THE IMMINENT REVISION OF THE NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK (NPPF) IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN RULES ON PLANNING FOR THE HOUSING NEEDS OF OLDER AND DISABLED PEOPLE”
CHRISTINA MCGILL
the dignifying effect of being able to use the bathroom without assistance had transformed his mental health and sense of independence.
By 2041, the UK will see an increase of 4.4 million people aged 65 and over, and with disability rates increasing there is rising demand for accessible housing. With only 9% of English homes currently assessed as possessing even the most basic combination of accessibility features, Habinteg believes there’s a clear case for immediate action if our nation’s housing stock is to be fit for the future.
We are calling for all new homes to be built to accessible and adaptable standards (as defined in Building Regulations) which provide ease of living and speedy, cost-effective adaptation when household needs change.
We also want to make sure that enough homes are built to building regulations’ wheelchair user dwelling standard. These homes are more space-hungry by their nature so can be more costly to build. However, research Habinteg commissioned(1) from the London School of Economics (LSE) last year shows that such homes more than make up for this in the value they generate, both to the household and to publicly funded services like health and social care because homes that support people’s independence and wellbeing mean less demand for external support. For example, a wheelchair accessible property for an older age group
household is estimated by LSE to generate a value of some £9,000 per year, most of which is the result of reduced demand for social care.
So, by ensuring all new homes meet higher accessibility standards, the new government could save millions in reduced costs whilst also supporting greater community engagement and economic participation among disabled and older people.
We have five suggestions as to how they might go about this.
The most urgent action is to implement the ‘accessible and adaptable’ dwelling standard as the regulatory baseline for all new homes. This commitment, made by the previous administration in July 2022(2), was widely welcomed and remains central to ensuring that the homes built today will continue to meet people’s needs into the future. It requires one short further consultation with industry stakeholders on implementation details, so we’d like to see this work kick off without delay.
The imminent revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is an opportunity to strengthen rules on
VIEWPOINT
FUTURE PROOFING
• Promotion of accessible design as key aspect of sustainable design.
• Encourage homeowners to think about accessibility in future proofing their homes, not just energy efficiency.
• Carry on the work the Disability Unit in the Cabinet Office was undertaking on guidance for inclusive playgrounds; this should include all recreation/public realm.
• Keep up the work encouraging service providers/employers to install Changing Places toilets so they meet the needs of all.
Vaila Morrison, Designer, Inclusive + Sustainable Design Champion
planning for the housing needs of older and disabled people. Planning authorities should be duty-bound to have a policy for a percentage of all new homes to be Wheelchair User Dwellings and the NPPF should be much more direct about this. Given that meeting the needs of wheelchair users depends so much on the quality of the built environment, we believe the NPPF should reflect this by setting clear expectations of local plans. Paired with this, we’d like to see the Secretary of State instruct the Planning Inspectorate to reject any Local Plan that fails to set out a policy and target for wheelchair user dwellings.
We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement(3) that Government will fund three hundred new planning officers to help unblock development decisions. However, to realise the ambition of building more accessible homes it’s essential that these professionals have a strong knowledge of accessible and inclusive design and can intervene where planning proposals aren’t delivering. The same applies to building control teams and approved inspectors, all of whom are the guardians of quality on which disabled and older people rely to
“THE NEXT ROUND OF GRANT FUNDING SHOULD SPECIFY THAT ALL HOMES MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AND ADAPTABLE AS AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM”
CHRISTINA
MCGILL
ensure that new homes deliver in practice what the regulations say they should. (Training from our Centre for Accessible Environments is an ideal way to secure practical knowledge of the standards.)
The final critical lever that national government can use is that of funding. The Homes England strategic plan 20232028(4), was largely silent on inclusive design and accessibility however as this body is a vehicle for strategic investment of public money, we believe it’s critical that all homes built with its grant backing are designed with long term value and inclusive outcomes in mind. To this end, the next round of grant funding should specify that all homes must be accessible and adaptable as an absolute minimum and to help regions ‘catch up’ with the lack of wheelchair accessible properties, we’d like to see any development of over 10 homes provide 10% of homes to wheelchair accessible standards with that 10% being representative of the overall tenure and housing size mix on the development as a whole.
The Government has set itself a challenging housing target and we are glad to see prompt action announced. But to make the most of this commitment in a way that will truly meet the practical daily living needs of the population both now and in decades ahead, it is essential to consider the design quality and consequent long term value of all new homes. We need every policy and funding initiative to be maximised in favour of accessible homes.
Despite the change of administration, Habinteg’s message to government remains the same: the need for accessible homes is urgent and growing rapidly so plan for accessible homes now or lay the foundations for a housing crisis of a different kind in the future.
A copy of this magazine will be sent to every relevant cabinet minister and department, and we’ll update you on the responses to this article.
VIEWPOINT
We asked ‘what would you like to see on the new Government’s agenda?’ and received some great replies!
INCREASE THE SUPPLY
I would ask that they request Local Authorities to consider accessibility within their Decent Homes works programme.
At the moment, when a Local Authority home becomes vacant, they just need to update them to comply with electrical, gas, fire regulations etc.
If they were also required to update them to M4(3) accessibility standards, where practicable, it would go a long way in increasing the supply of accessible homes to those in most need.
Stephen Archer, DFG and Disabled Adaptation Specialist
REDUCE THE BARRIERS
The new Government has an opportunity to bring positive change for the 24% of the UK’s population that have a disability. I’d like to see the new Labour Government listen to the needs of disabled people and set out a vision to reduce the barriers that cause undue stress and separation for people in the built environment.
By embedding inclusive design into all stages of new builds and retrofits, both the public and private sectors can create safe, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive spaces for everyone.
Ed Warner, CEO and Co-Founder, Motionspot
EQUAL ACCESS TO PLAY
Play is vital for a child's development and overall wellbeing, and playgrounds - the number one location for children’s play away from the home setting - play a crucial role. With over one million disabled children in the UK, it is vital that these spaces are inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Outdoor play enables children to learn, stay active and develop social skills. Sadly, too many disabled children are excluded from these benefits due to inaccessible playgrounds. According to Scope’s Playground Accessibility Report, only 1 in 10 playgrounds are fully inclusive and almost 75% of playgrounds are not conducive to inclusive play for disabled and non-disabled children together.
The Association of Play Industries joins this call upon the government to take action to ensure that all playgrounds are inclusive, accessible and fair.
Dr Amanda Gummer, Chair, Association of Play Industries
KEEPING INDEPENDENCE
We would like to see more consideration given to increasing and using the DFG spending to adapt homes better and quicker, keeping people independent. Each pound spent on home adaptations can give substantial long term savings by reducing social care needs and promoting independence.
We would also like to see another round of funding for Changing Places. This gives more families accessibility to travel, which sees them spending more in the economy, not to mention the boost to the construction and design industry to provide them.
Dale Spademan, Business Development Manager, Pressalit
STANDARD BEARER
In terms of accessibility, Holly Holder, Deputy Director for Homes at the Centre for Ageing Better on behalf of the Housing Made for Everyone (HoME) coalition, would like to see the new government finish what the old government started.
We need all new homes to be built to accessible and adaptable standards which provide ease of living and speedy, cost-effective adaptation when household needs change.
Progress was made by the previous government to deliver on its 2019 manifesto commitment to raise minimum accessibility standards, only for it then to fall at the last hurdle before becoming law.
Homes with higher accessibility standards benefit everyone, particularly disabled people and older people, and disadvantage no one.
By 2041, the UK will see an increase of 4.4 million people aged 65 and over, significantly amplifying the demand for accessible housing.
Currently, over 1.8 million disabled people and older people live in unsuitable homes, facing daily barriers to independence and wellbeing. This demands immediate action if our nation’s housing stock is to be fit for the future.
By ensuring all new homes meet accessible and adaptable standards, the UK could save millions in reduced health and social care costs and support greater economic participation among disabled and older people. This has the potential to change millions of lives, so long as it is executed well and with very limited exceptions to the way the revised regulation is applied.
Accessible homes are not just a ‘nice to have’; they are a necessity that will benefit all. And so we would urge the new government to put aside party politics and finish this important work to ensure that they raise the minimum accessibility standard for all new homes.
Beyond that, we’d also like to see this Labour government take decisive action to stop the scandal of 8 million people in this country living in unsafe homes.
We would like to a drastic reduction in the 3.7 million homes that are currently unsanitary, have outdated sewage facilities, have electrical or fire hazards and which do not meet basic legal health and safety standards
“HOMES WITH HIGHER ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS BENEFIT EVERYONE AND DISADVANTAGE NO ONE” HOLLY HOLDER
or which lie in a state of disrepair that presents a serious trip or fall hazard to occupants.
To achieve this, we need a national strategy to tackle the poor quality of the country’s homes to ensure a coordinated effort across government departments, including health, housing and net zero, to improve unsafe homes. This strategy needs to go further than improving the energy efficiency and must also work towards eliminating falls in the home and other hazards to residents’ health.
We believe that individuals need greater support to improve their unsafe homes and so we are calling for the establishment of a network of local one-stop shops called Good Home Hubs that would help to tackle the national crisis of dangerous homes.
Good Home Hubs would offer advice on home repairs and adaptations including where to find trusted tradespeople, identifying what work needs to be done, how to finance repairs and improve energy efficiency.
MODERNISE HOUSING LEGISLATION
Further modernisation of housing legislation is desperately needed to speed up development of accessible homes, particularly in terms of stairs remaining the primary barrier to inclusive living in multi-floor homes. Further progress on the wheelchair accessible M4(3) Building Regs is urgently required and in terms of construction specifics, we continue to campaign for concealed, pre-cut apertures in new builds so homelifts can be installed when appropriate. With the new Government in place, we are hopeful change will finally come and more people with disabilities can live and thrive within their communities.
Gino Farruggio, UK Trade Sales Director, Stiltz Homelifts
CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
RNID would like to see the new government support the roll out of Auracast and facilitate a smooth transition from loop systems, without leaving vulnerable community members behind.
Assistive listening systems, traditionally induction loops, are key to making public spaces accessible to hearing aid users. New Bluetooth based technology, Auracast, has the potential to improve the quality and ease of these systems, particularly in transport, theatres and healthcare settings.
However, a smooth transition requires support to ensure that users of older hearing aid devices still have the ability to connect to new systems and that NHS hearing aids keep pace with this changing technology.
Dr Lauren Ward, Technology Lead, RNID
COMMUNITY COHESION
There is a clear need to provide spaces for children that would otherwise be excluded from standard play provision. However, designing for accessibility goes far beyond this by empowering and improving the whole community. Bringing people together to share the space and interact with each other reduces isolation and improves community cohesion.
The government must recognise the diverse needs of children and provide play guidelines that meet the needs of all.
Providing a framework for play sufficiency standards that puts play value, inclusivity, and accessibility at the forefront of design is vital to ensure play providers have the guidelines (and funding) they need to do play right.
Michael Hoenigmann, Managing Director, Jupiter Play & Leisure
PRAGMATIC ROUTES
Both data and anecdotal evidence illustrate the UK’s accessible housing crisis.
The good news is, we could have a selection of pragmatic routes to funding and delivering wheelchair accessible and affordable homes, on the government's own terms (if not via planning, there are other routes) as a collaboration between public, private and third sector organisations.
For us to achieve this at scale and at pace, the incoming government needs to understand where it is responsible for both the barriers and the opportunities. And to achieve this, it will need to value expertise in this area, and be transparent about its intentions.
Guy Harris, Director, AccessiblePRS
FIT FOR PURPOSE
Government must publish the long awaited ADM research and, as well as committing to recruiting additional planning officers, must employ access and inclusive design expertise to provide welldesigned homes and neighbourhoods that meet the needs of our diverse population, and that we want to live in.
Jacquel Runnalls, Housing Occupational Therapist and Inclusive Environments Specialist
INTEGRATED LIFESTYLE
In line with the Government's push for planning reform and vow to ‘get Britain building,’ providing options for all types of housing, including older people's housing, is key to improving accessibility in the built environment. Integrated Retirement Communities (IRCs) are designed with the accessible needs of older people at heart, providing an integrated lifestyle: individual flats surrounded by facilities such as restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, community halls and gardens, with care delivered to residents' own front doors.
We welcome the Government's plans for planning reform and building 1.5 million new homes, however IRCs must be included in these. Providing the planning system with a clear definition and guidance regarding what constitutes an IRC, along with requiring every Council to reliably assess local need for housingwith-care and implement a clear local plan to ensure supply meets this need, can help improve the provision of accessible homes for older people.
Michael Voges, Chief Executive, ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators)
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
and get Inclusive Design Magazine direct to your inbox or your postbox…
Packed with informative and entertaining content covering all aspects of accessibility in the built environment - news, legislation updates, case studies, profiles, a diary feature, roundtables, open-mic sessions and in-depth product focuses.
Go to: www.inclusive-design.co.uk and click the subscribe button
What do you get?
n Bi-monthly digital FREE
n Bi-monthly print option (includes digital issue) FREE for the first three issues, and £24.99 a year (six issues) thereafter.
n Subscribers will also receive our regular email bulletin, notifications of upcoming events and have the opportunity to take part in our open-mic features!
AND SO TO SLEEP…
Award-winning show home design studio Andrew Henry Interiors has incorporated a sensory bedroom for a neurodivergent child into its latest show home at Bovis Homes’ Wilton Gate development in Netherhampton.
Recognising the need for show homes to reflect a real-life family dynamic, the design of the four bedroom Chestnut show home emulates a family with two young children - one of whom is autistic.
The team at Andrew Henry worked closely alongside Bovis Homes to design this child’s bedroom to be more neutral and less overwhelming from a sensory perspective, creating a sanctuary where an autistic child could feel safe and secure.
To support with this process the team consulted the UK’s largest autism charity, the National Autistic Society, for their expert advice on the bedroom’s design.
The inspiration for the bedroom design emerged from a blend of in-depth research into the specific needs of neurodivergent children and the overall aesthetic of the rest of the house.
The chosen colour scheme incorporates greens and neutrals with a country style, using a softer shade of green to create a calming aura. Extensive research was conducted to ensure the bedroom design could support a child’s sensory needs, before a detailed consultation with the National Autistic Society.
“Many autistic people experience sensory processing differences, which can have a significant impact on their day to day lives,” a consultant from the National Autistic Society told us. “Every autistic person is different and may have their own sensory processing differences which can vary hugely.
“In order to begin making spaces more accessible, environments can be adapted to be more neutral and less demanding, where further sensory stimulus can be added by the individual if wanted or needed.
“TODAY’S FAMILIES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES, AND THERE ARE NEURODIVERGENT HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY”
ABOUT AUTISM…
• Autism is a lifelong disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.
• At least one in 100 people are autistic which means more than 700,000 people in the UK.
• Autistic people have a range of strengths and challenges. For example, some autistic people also have a learning disability and may need support with daily tasks like washing, cooking or exercising. Other autistic people are in full time work and may benefit from reasonable adjustments.
• Autistic people may: face challenges with communication and social interaction; be under- or oversensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light and colours; have highly focused interests or hobbies; have repetitive or restrictive behaviour; experience intense anxiety around unexpected change and social situations; experience ‘meltdowns’ or ‘shutdowns.’
• The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. They are here to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people, visit www.autism.org.uk.
Left: The bedside table has a column lamp with adjustable soft lighting
“SIMPLE ADJUSTMENTS CAN EASILY BE MADE TO SPACES, MAKING THEM FEEL LESS OVERWHELMING AND MORE ACCESSIBLE AND ENJOYABLE FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE”
“These simple adjustments can easily be made to spaces, making them feel less overwhelming and more accessible and enjoyable for autistic people.”
During this process, Andrew Henry and Bovis Homes consulted with the National Autistic Society, which involved consultants reviewing a copy of the design and producing a report with recommendations for changes and additions.
Using the recommendations, Andrew Henry Interiors created an environment which is both aesthetically pleasing and therapeutically supportive.
Key design features include a colourchanging bulb in the ceiling light to provide flexible lighting options that can be adapted to suit the child’s needs, cozy, tactile textures to offer a comforting sensory experience and the inclusion of autism-friendly books such as ‘A Day with no Words’ by Tiffany Hammond and ‘A Kind of Spark’ by Ellie McNicoll.
Zones have been created within the room to separate the sleeping area with the chill-out area giving the child the space they may need to regulate their emotions, and extensive storage options have been included to ensure every item has its own place.
As recommended by the National Autistic Society, the stimulating alphabet style artwork has been placed away from the sleeping area to minimise distractions, instead using a calming hot air balloon mural to reflect the child’s personal interests.
Lighting has also been a key consideration, as some autistic people may experience sensory sensitivities including a higher sensitivity to visual information including light.
Fluorescent light has been limited, whilst a hot air balloon shaped lampshade to the overhead fitting diffuses the lighting, reducing shadows and creating a less visually overwhelming area. A column lamp with adjustable soft lighting has been added to the bedside table.
“Show homes historically have been designed to portray a specific family; 2.4 children, a family dog, pink for a girl and blue for a boy,” explained Andrew Henry, the Founder of Andrew Henry Interiors. “But the reality is, today’s families come in all shapes
and sizes, and there are neurodivergent households across the country.
“Working alongside Bovis Homes with advice from the expert team at the National Autistic Society, we are proud to have embraced this topical subject head on, promoting inclusivity and innovation to enhance the young family member’s quality of life.”
Natasha Palmer, Bovis Homes’ Sales and Marketing Director, added, “We’re delighted with the finished result - Andrew Henry Interiors has created a fantastic show home and we’re very grateful to the National Autistic Society for its advice.
Understanding neurodiversity and knowing how small changes can have a huge impact is key. We’re very proud to show visitors the beautiful new show home and the important inclusivity message it highlights.”
ID
To find out more about Andrew Henry Interiors, please visit www. andrewhenryinteriors.co.uk and www.bovishomes.co.uk.
Above: The colour scheme uses a softer shade of green to create a calming aura Below: The ceiling light features a colour-changing bulb
ADAPTABLE, ACCESSIBLE,
AFFORDABLE
Working towards high-quality, affordable and accessible housing provision has long been a key policy priority for RIBA, both as an organisation and as part of the cross-sector Housing Made for Everyone (HoME) Coalition*. Charlotte Watson, RIBA’s Senior Policy Advisor, offers a concise overview of their recent work.
RIBA’s recent contributions to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee inquiry on disabled people in the housing sector, and their roundtable discussion with the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, focus on ‘Adaptable, accessible, affordable: housing for disabled and older people.’
On delivering accessible housing in particular, the last week gave us the chance to shine a light on the progress that has been made, and what work we as a sector must continue to push for.
We were pleased to see the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee launch its inquiry into disabled people in the housing sector in the latter half of 2023, focusing on what must be done to support the delivery of accessible provision.
Following our written evidence in September, RIBA’s Executive Director for Professional Knowledge and Standards, Adrian Dobson, was invited to give evidence at an in-person session.
The session helped the committee gain expert insight on a range of barriers to increasing provision - from challenges around viability assessments to evidencing accessible housing need through local plans - while also taking the chance to identify best practice.
We emphasised the vital importance of the government finally releasing the longawaited consultation on implementing Part M4(2) of the Building Regulations as the new baseline accessibility standard for new homes, which would ensure all new homes are “adaptable and accessible.” Alongside this, we raised concerns about the impact of resource gaps in local planning authorities to ensure high
quality, accessible homes are brought forward. The role of existing housing stock in meeting demand for accessible housing was also discussed during the session, with more thought needed on how we can provide high quality home adaptations.
Garnering cross-party support and understanding of accessible housing provision, and our work to promote it, is key to removing the barriers which stand in the way of delivering it at the pace and scale we need. We continue to work with the committee to demonstrate the role that architects can play in creating highquality, sustainable buildings and places.
However, our efforts to highlight accessible housing didn’t end there.
We also hosted a roundtable alongside the Older People’s Housing Taskforce (OPHT), which has been appointed by the government to examine choice, quality and security in older people’s housing.
Running for up to 12 months from May 2023, it will then produce an independent report and recommendations to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Chaired by OPHT member Lord Best, and with opening remarks from RIBA President Muyiwa Oki, the roundtable comprised of taskforce members, architects, planners and experts in older people’s housing provision. It discussed best practice in design for both housing and the wider public realm to prioritise age-friendly and inclusive access.
Focusing both on the importance of accessible and adaptable housing provision and a wider exploration of inclusive and accessible placemaking, the roundtable was a valuable chance
“OLDER PEOPLE’S HOUSING MATTERS - GETTING IT RIGHT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THEIR WELLBEING, HEALTH, ABILITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE"
PROFESSOR JULIENNE MEYER CBE
to share learnings and work towards facilitating innovative approaches to agefriendly design.
“Older people’s housing matters - getting it right can make a huge difference to their wellbeing, health, ability to live independently, and quality of life,” said Chair of the OPHT, Professor Julienne Meyer CBE. “We want homes for older people that are designed with their needs in mind, and are situated in a wider public realm which supports healthy ageing.
“I am incredibly grateful to the wide range of architects and design experts who gathered with the taskforce on 8th February and who shared their expertise with us so generously. I’d also like to thank the Royal Institute of British Architects, and
its President, Muyiwa Oki, for their support to our work through hosting this event.”
RIBA’s accessibility work reaches far wider than that of just the Policy and Public Affairs team. Thursday also saw the RIBA Public Programmes team host Many More Parts than M! at 66 Portland Place in London, launching a new compendium by The DisOrdinary Architecture Project, reimagining disability, inclusion and access beyond compliance.
The 2023 launch of the Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work is another example of our commitment to centring inclusive design principles, featuring contributions from over 100 professionals with experience spanning over 25 different built environment professions.
"WE WERE PLEASED TO SEE THE LEVELLING UP, HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE LAUNCH ITS INQUIRY INTO DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE HOUSING SECTOR”
CHARLOTTE WATSON
The recommendations of both the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee inquiry and the OPHT will be pivotal in mobilising improvements to accessible housing provision.
Meanwhile, the RIBA Policy and Public Affairs team continues to engage with government and Parliament to prioritise quality, sustainability and accessibility in the built environment.
ID
Find out more about the ongoing work from RIBA's Policy and Public Affairs team at www.architecture.com/about/policy
This article** was first published on 14 February 2024 on architecture. com*** and is reproduced with kind permission of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
* https://ageing-better.org.uk/home-coalition ** https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/ knowledge-landing-page/riba-policy-housing-for-disabled-andolder-people *** https://www.architecture.com/
Image © Centre for Ageing Better
BAG A BOOK!
The third edition of The Access Audit Handbook is the go-to guide for conducting access audits, and you can be in with a chance of getting a copy for free in our giveaway!
YOUR CHANCE TO
WIN A COPY
OF THIS ESSENTIAL HANDBOOK
COUNT ME IN!
To be in with a chance head to our LinkedIn page @inclusive-design-magazine and like and share the pinned post. At 6pm on Wednesday 31st July we’ll make a random choice from those likes and the lucky person will have a copy of The Access Audit Handbook winging its way to them!
If you are not on LinkedIn please email juliet@ inclusive-design.co.uk with ‘The Access Audit Handbook Giveaway’ in the subject line.
With new case studies, updated guidance, and new checklists The Access Audit Handbook from the CAE & RIBA offers straightforward advice about undertaking access audits and explains how they make buildings, environments and services more inclusive.
Following the audit, the book explains how each of the various report formats works best to communicate recommendations in the content of current legislation, funding requirements and best practice in building management.
Well established as the best resource for conducting access audits, the third edition of The Access Audit Handbook is fully up to date with the latest legal and technical standards as well as developments in equipment and building maintenance.
Featuring advice on commissioning an access audit, audit methodology, making recommendations, and report writing, the practical guidance is supported by case studies, worked examples and checklists. ID
We provide:
• bespoke training on inclusive design
Beside the CAE…
Judi Watkinson, Access Advisor at CAE
Judi Watkinson, MCSD, NRAC Consultant, is an Access Advisor at CAE, and in 2024 she celebrates her 20th anniversary year specialising in accessibility in the built environment after originally training in access consultancy with CAE back in 2004.
Combined with inclusive design and access consultancy, Judi has over 30 years’ experience in commercial interior design and strategic space planning. Her expertise includes supporting architects and designers through the RIBA design stages to
help with planning permission and Building Regulations approval. Judi demonstrates a good understanding of how the Equality Act 2010 integrates with the built environment, is a member of the Chartered Society of Designers, and a consultant member of the National Register of Access Consultants.
FRIDAY
I’m really looking forward to today as I have a behind the scenes tour of the new Moda Hove Central development with Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce this morning. The event is part tour, part talk and networking with Chamber members.
The first block has now been completed and it really is a stunning environment. We’re shown around a couple of show apartments, a screening room (luxury mini cinema room), games room, gym, private dining space, co-working space, various communal lounge areas and outdoor spaces including a rooftop play area. It’s Friday and I couldn’t resist having a play
In the private dining room I was chatting to Dr. Cate Grundy of Friendly Fox Designs and Al Mackintosh of Take Shelter. Friendly Fox Designs produce amazing, augmented reality nature trails for children to encourage them to get off the sofa and engage with nature. Cate is also exploring how augmented reality can be developed for the inclusive design space.
Take Shelter is the only air raid shelter in the south of England and is located at Downs Junior School in Brighton. I’ve visited a couple of times in the past year, and it really is a unique atmospheric space which gave me a real insight into what it must have been like for the young children and teachers having to ‘keep calm and carry on’ despite the sirens overhead. It is well worth a visit, but make sure to check out their website with accessibility information and opening times.
After the tour, Cate and I go for lunch at the Shoreline Coffee + Kitchen in Hove which opened about eight months ago. I have cauliflower soup and Cate has butterbean and spinach smash served on toasted sourdough with house-made sunshine pickles and fresh herb oil. Delicious food, relaxed cafe and lovely people!
After catching up with emails in the afternoon, I go for a late afternoon walk along the seafront. It’s a beautiful breezy sunny day.
SATURDAY
Nothing too eventful this morning. A trip to the local shops, lunch and then I get down to a few hours finalising a large and detailed access audit report for CAE. The audit has involved me visiting a series of individual spaces throughout London over one month. Once the information for each space is collected, then this is added into the report with comprehensive recommendations for improvements to accessibility, along with priority ratings.
Halfway through the afternoon, Cate calls to say that the live music gig at the Prince Albert in Brighton this evening has been cancelled. Plan B, Cate invites me round for dinner and she cooks us a delicious vegan curry.
SUNDAY
Today is a chill day with some chores and a bit of work too so that I can get ahead before I start a new project tomorrow. I have a video call with my daughter to
Left: Enjoying a late afternoon walk along the Brighton seafront
Below: A behind the scenes tour of the new Moda Hove Central development
catch up about her university spring ball last night which sounded like a lot of fun.
It’s now late afternoon and I’ve had an email arrive with a report attached of a digital information wayfinding project in London that I’m working on. The project is fast track and my CAE role is as Access Champion to support the client and design team with recommendations for current best practice design standards.
Wayfinding information needs to be inclusive for everyone which is especially important for blind and partially sighted people, people who are neurodiverse, and international visitors who don’t communicate in English. After all, inclusive design is all about people! I’ve booked this in to look at first thing in the morning.
MONDAY
I like to be disciplined with project deadlines and issue the access audit report at 9am for CAE to finalise further. Now checking through emails… 9.30am and I start reading the wayfinding signage report I received yesterday. I get a couple of messages from my brother to tell me he and my sister in law are about to board the plane for Dubai to spend a couple of weeks with my niece who lives and works there.
10am, I start work on a new project for a new build veterinary centre. The builder has asked me to help him with the development
Above: Lunch with Cate at the Shoreline Coffee + Kitchen in Hove
Photo credit Cate Grundy PhD
“BACK TO REVIEWING THE DIGITAL SIGNAGE REPORT NOW. I REVIEW EVERY PAGE IN DETAIL AND MAKE NOTES AS I GO… I OFTEN HAVE TO WORK LATE JUST TO KEEP ON TOP OF PROJECT TIMESCALES AND DEADLINES, AS THERE’S A LOT OF JUGGLING INVOLVED!”
JUDI WATKINSON
Above: Judi measuring the height of the handrail. An access audit report supports organisations to consider how they can be more inclusive and welcoming to everyone.
Below: Judi couldn’t resist trying out the rooftop play area at Moda Hove Central Development
of an access statement for building control. The original designers are no longer working on the project and I know that there are adjustments which must be made before Building Regulations approval will be granted.
There are just under 90 drawings to review, but the most important task for today is to go through the proposed general arrangement floor plan in detail, so that I can quickly capture any issues. I annotate the plan with my recommendations against the Building Regulations approved documents, a HSE document and a couple of British Standards. There are a few important tweaks which I feel must be made and these are likely to have a knock on effect with the spatial planning. Time for a break. Late afternoon, I issue the design review of the proposed floor plan and check emails. I’ve received an email from the lead designer on the digital wayfinding project with a schedule of deadline dates for the team to keep on track as well as a request to review the current design proposals this week. I book it in for the morning as we have a design team meeting (DTM) on Thursday. After dinner, I go for a walk along the seafront before it gets dark and have a late evening video call with my daughter.
TUESDAY
The weather is dry, so I decide to go for an early walk along the seafront at 8am.
Back home just after 9am, time for a cuppa. I check emails and start work reviewing the 126 page digital wayfinding signage proposal.
Just after 10am, I have a call from the builder to run through the design review and my recommendations for the vets surgery. After about 1.5 hours of going through everything, it is time to finish the call and for him to update the client.
Time for another cuppa. I update the design review as a result of the call and reissue it to the builder.
Back to reviewing the digital signage report now. I review every page in detail and make notes as I go, referring to the page number. Late afternoon my gardener arrives for the first lawn trim of the year as it’s getting overgrown. I cook dinner, continue reviewing the digital signage report and manage to issue it just after 8pm. I often have to work late just to keep on top of project timescales and deadlines, as there’s a lot of juggling involved!
WEDNESDAY
At 8.15 I go to my local shop for some bits and bobs. Once back I check emails and start on the design review for the vets. There are over 80 drawings remaining… I keep in the flow for the whole day, cook dinner and take an evening walk along the seafront to clear my head and get some exercise.
Left: The circular Gasholder Park with its mirror polished steel colonnade creates a stunning kaleidoscopic collage
Below left: Judi reviewing plans with Asa Hems in CAE offices
THURSDAY
I check emails and at 8.30am, I start on the next batch of drawings for the vets. After lunch, I have a weekly online design team meeting for the digital information wayfinding project which last for one and a half hours.
Afterwards, I continue with the design review of the vets, go for a walk, have dinner and chat with a friend.
FRIDAY
After breakfast, I check emails, finalise the design review for the vet’s surgery and issue the drawing package with recommendations back to the builder. I always get a sense of achievement when I complete a piece of work. I know I have added value to the project helping guide the builder and client with Building Regulations and importantly ensuring access for people who will use the space once it’s built.
For the rest of the working day, I spend time doing admin work and issuing a couple of invoices. I go for an evening walk along the seafront and decide to get a takeaway curry. After a call with my daughter, I get an early evening as I have an early start in the morning.
SATURDAY
I’ve booked onto an architectural walking tour of the multi-billion Argent regeneration project of Kings Cross Central with Open City which was masterplanned by Allies and Morrison, Porphyrios Associates and Townshend Landscape Architects.
I get the bus to Brighton station and a Thameslink train to London St. Pancras. I arrive just after 9.30am, and as the tour doesn’t start until 10am I visit Leon for a Yorkshire tea and breakfast bap.
Nick Edwards is our expert architectural guide for today and despite the cold weather takes us on an inspiring and informative almost three hour tour which includes Kings Cross Station, London St. Pancras Station, the Google offices including the new Google offices by Heatherwick Studio currently undergoing construction, the Meta offices, and Granary Square, home to Central St. Martins College of Art.
The tour takes us past a variety of new contemporary housing developments, including Wilkinson Eyre’s ‘Gasholders’ luxury apartments which really are something else. The circular Gasholder Park with its mirror polished steel colonnade creates a stunning kaleidoscopic collage of people, plants and architecture.
“I ALWAYS GET A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT WHEN I COMPLETE A PIECE OF WORK.”
JUDI WATKINSON
Above: The Open City tour includes the Google offices; inset: Make time for a Yorkshire tea and breakfast bap! Below: Judi chatting to Al Mackintosh from Take Shelter
The tour concludes at Coal Drops Yard by Heatherwick Studio where I pop into Tom Dixon and Rains for some retail therapy before heading back to Brighton. This is the second architectural tour I’ve enjoyed with Open City this year; the earlier one was of the brutalist Barbican Estate which was equally as interesting.
I hope that has given a helpful snapshot of ‘a week in the life of an inclusive design consultant’ (or just over a week!). We’re a friendly team of people from different specialisations all working with the aim to help make the built environment inclusive and accessible for everyone.
To find out more about the work of Judi and the CAE and how they can help with your next project, contact info@cae.org.uk or visit www.cae.org.uk
GET TO THE HEART OF OUR INDUSTRY
DO YOU TARGET ARCHITECTS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, DEVELOPERS, BUILDING MANAGERS - ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT CAN BE ENJOYED BY ALL - WITH YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES? OUR FLEXIBLE APPROACH MEANS THAT YOU CAN REACH THE AUDIENCE YOU WANT IN THE WAY THAT YOU WANT
TALK TO OUR TEAM TODAY ABOUT OUR MULTI-CHANNEL OPTIONS AND SEE HOW YOU
Want to become a specialist content partner and share information, insight, product developments and opportunities with the inclusive-design community?
Get in touch: sales@inclusive-design.co.uk or call 01630 801004
PRINT l ONLINE l DIGITAL l SOCIAL
BUILD MORE, BUILD BETTER
Labour need to plan for the future with accessible housing, and Lauren Walker, Professional Advisor at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, says that OTs have the combined expertise in health and wellbeing to offer advice on this.
The inadequate level of housebuilding in the UK over recent decades is welldocumented. In the lead up to the election, Labour unapologetically committed to ‘get Britain building’ - to the tune of 1.5 million homes over the next parliament.
But before racing towards the future, they must take lessons from the past and the present.
Much of our existing housing stock is old. Four million people are living in substandard accommodation and more than half of homes don’t meet energy efficiency rating C or above. The Housing and Ageing Alliance note that only 19 per cent of homes have step-free access. Meanwhile, an estimated 4.1 million homes in England do not meet basic standards set by government, with the Centre for Ageing Better* estimating that close to half of these homes are lived in by someone over 55 years old.
And it costs. Living in housing that is poorly insulated increases the risk of a range of preventable health conditions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. BRE estimates** that conditions arising from poor housing cost the NHS £1.4 billion a year. And with two-thirds of adults aged over 65 living with multiple health conditions by 2035, this could increase without careful consideration and planning. Labour must recognise that this is an opportunity to leave a lasting impact for years to come. What is required to achieve this?
We’ll need to improve access to advice and expertise to make sure people can continue to contribute to society and fulfil their roles and responsibilities while managing their health and wellbeing. That combined expertise already exists in a registered health and care profession - occupational therapy.
Occupational therapists are experts in making buildings and environments accessible. They work in health, social care, and housing to remove barriers to independence and inclusion. They help people of all ages with physical, mental health and learning disabilities, and they know how to create solutions that work for a long time. This includes supporting people to make home adaptations.
Home adaptations can prevent falls, reduce hospital admissions, reduce reliance on care, avoid the need to move into residential care and
significantly improve the quality of life and wellbeing for individuals, their families, and carers.
However, as outlined in our Workforce Strategy, there are not enough occupational therapists situated in communities where they can have the most impact. To ensure that people get the specialist support they need, the incoming Government should recognise the importance of occupational therapists and commit to expanding the occupational therapy workforce.
Labour must also match its lofty ambitions for delivering homes with the same enthusiasm for improving housing accessibility standards. Labour’s manifesto commits to immediately updating the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF). It’s essential that local authority work with occupational therapists and experts with experience in the development of changes to the NPPF, to ensure we don’t repeat the same mistakes of the past.
Finally, Labour must ensure all new housing achieves a consistent level of accessibility. This can be done by swiftly implementing Building Regulations standard M4(2) as the minimum baseline for all new builds. Taking lessons from London and Liverpool, they must ensure that a certain percentage of new homes are fully accessible for wheelchair users.
“OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ARE EXPERTS IN MAKING BUILDINGS AND ENVIRONMENTS ACCESSIBLE”
LAUREN WALKER
Accessible housing is not just about meeting immediate needs; it’s about planning for a future where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can live safely and comfortably. By prioritising inclusive design, Labour has the chance to not only build more homes but to build better homes that serve the needs of all citizens. This requires a dedicated commitment to improving accessibility standards, expanding the occupational therapy workforce, and ensuring that new homes are truly inclusive.
The opportunity to make a transformative impact is now. By integrating accessibility into the foundation of their housing strategy, Labour can create a legacy that supports the health, wellbeing, and independence of millions. Let’s seize this moment to build a future where everyone can thrive in their own homes.
Visit www.rcot.co.uk to find out more.
* https://ageing-better.org.uk/resources/getting-ourhomes-order-how-englands-homes-are-failing-us ** https://bregroup.com/news/bre-report-finds-poorhousing-is-costing-nhs-1.4bn-a-year
WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2024
