Disability Issues

Since 1981, expert knowledge has been developed within Building Standards in relation to the needs of disabled people in buildings. It is now complemented by the availability of home improvement grants for disabled people and by requirements of the Building Regulations to design and construct buildings that are suitable for people with disabilities.

The Building Regulations ensure that certain new and extended buildings used for specified purposes are accessible, have suitable toilets and satisfactory means of escape for people with disabilities. Where parking is available there requires to be designated spaces for disabled people with enough space to accommodate transfer from vehicle to wheelchair. Ramped or level access should be made to the principal entrance for both the public and employees using a building. Toilets should also be provided for use by disabled people wherever toilet provision is made for use by employees or the general public. Passenger lifts suitable for disabled people should be provided to upper storeys except for two storey developments where the upper storey does not exceed 280 square metres or buildings with more than two storeys where each upper storey does not exceed 200 square metres. In buildings where the floor space does not exceed these sizes the design should ensure suitable access to principal entrances and toilet facilities on each floor and to enable movement between floors by means of a suitable stairway. The means of escape from upper floors for disabled people may require refuge spaces to stairs and suitable stair design for ambulant disabled people.

Some other design matters to be considered include: door width; corridor width; unobstructive thresholds; lift size; signage, and spectator spaces for wheelchair users. The diagrams on this page give examples of acceptable design.

Building Standards staff are available to help anyone who requires further information on any matter relating to the design and construction of buildings to meet the needs of disabled people. Advice on other issues affecting disabled people is also available from the Council's Disablement Liaison Officer.