Inclusive design
Inclusive design is when buildings other than homes are designed in a way that allows everyone to use them no matter what their needs.
This is designing for those who:
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have physical, sight or hearing difficulties
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have mental health or learning disabilities
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can't walk far because of an injury or illness
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have young children or are frail
What can you do?
There are a number of things you can do in the design process to make your design inclusive. Before applying for a building warrant you should review the standards that apply to buildings. These include access to the building as well as inside features such as toilets, safe escape routes and communication aids, including induction-loop, infrared and radio transmission systems.
Design access statements
We recommend that you provide a design access statement with each building warrant application you make. This will help you think about your duties under the Disability Discrimination Act at an early stage. It will also set out how you have considered, developed and included access for disabled people in your design proposals.
Get help or do-it-yourself
You should ask a specialist designer or access consultant to help prepare your plans if you don't have the knowledge or experience needed. Before you send us your plans, please contact us. One of our Building Standards surveyors will be happy to meet with you to discuss any inclusive design issues.
See the booklet: Inclusive design - promoting positive attitudes.
Advice on producing access statements is available from the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Additional guidance is available in the Scottish Association of Building Standards Managers' Inclusive design handbook. You can get a copy from your local Planning and Building Standards office. It challenges designers to think about everyone when designing facilities.
For more information contact Planning and Building Standards Headquarters.
