Creating accessible environments for disabled people

Designing and delivering accessible services and information enables disabled people to be independent.

Accessibility is the 'ability of the user to access the functionality of a device, service or environment'.

Accessibility is a priority for Norfolk. This is because about 20% of the population has a disability or limiting long-term condition.

This can include disabilities relating to:

• Mobility
• Mental health
• Memory
• Hearing
• Vision
• Learning

Some people have a combination of disabilities or long-term health conditions.

Our legal requirements

We have a legal duty to consider disabled people's needs when designing and delivering services and information. Some key legislation includes:

• The Equality Act 2010, which includes the Public Sector Equality Duty. This requires us to ensure our services are accessible.
• The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018
• Approved Document M of the Building Regulations - buildings should comply with Part M if we're planning building works and if it's reasonable to do so. Be aware that Approved Document M was published many years ago. It's not up to date on some requirements of a diverse range of disabled people. For example, it does not account for the fact many wheelchair users now tend to use bigger power chairs.
• Guidance from British Standard 8300-1 and BS8300-2 and wider best practice around accessibility. This helps us to embed higher levels of accessibility within built environments.
• The Accessible Information Standard and The Care Act 2014. These apply to adult social care, or organisations delivering adult social care services.
• The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Regulation 42). This requires us to include accessibility for disabled people.

Failure to provide access for disabled people, where it's reasonable to make adjustments and puts them at a substantial disadvantage, is unlawful.