31 May 2000
GOVERNMENT SEEKS VIEWS OF DISABLED ON BUILDINGS FOR THE FUTURE
Disabled people in Northern Ireland are to have the opportunity to put forward their views on access to facilities in buildings prior to a revision of Building Regulations throughout the United Kingdom.
The Government has taken this initiative with the aim of improving people's quality of life by making buildings easier for the disabled and others to use.
Questionnaires and seminars are to be used to find out how the current Regulations are seen and what changes need to be made in the future.
The survey will look at whether to extend the Regulations to new areas where the needs of disabled people could be met by attention to improving aspects of design. Other areas covered will include whether changes need to be made to existing buildings, how the Regulations can be made to work in unison with the Disability Discrimination Act, and whether a wider remit should be drawn up to include the needs of children, women with pushchairs, and even people with a fear of heights.
The consultation is being carried out in Scotland and England and Wales as well as in Northern Ireland and provides a unique opportunity for the public to influence future decisions on how the Building Regulations can help create a more accessible built environment.
A seminar is being held in Belfast on 4 July. Spaces are still available and people interested in attending should contact The Camden Consultancy.
The questionnaire is available by downloading a copy from the Internet at http://www.detr.gov.uk/consult.htm or by writing, telephoning, faxing or e-mailing the Camden Consultancy, 2 St Martins, Bayham St, London NW1 0BD. Telephone and fax 020 7485 6275 or e-mail 100556.154@compuserve.com.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Camden Consultancy has been commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) in England and Wales, by the Scottish Executive and by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland to undertake an initial survey of the public's views on access to, and facilities in, non-domestic buildings before a full consultation on a proposed revision of the Building Regulations is launched.
- Since 1994 the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part R on provisions for disabled access and facilities in non-domestic buildings have remained unchanged. The survey will inform a major review of these sections of Part R.
- The Building Regulations ensure the health and safety of people in and around building by providing functional requirements for building design and construction. An overall aim of the Department of Finance & Personnel is to improve the environment and to improve people's quality of life through promoting sustainable development. Making new buildings easier for disabled people to use by providing minimum legal standards in the Building Regulations will contribute to meeting the needs of disabled people and improving their quality of life.