Galway Centre for Independent Living can advise on certain aspects of requirements for premises to be accessible to the disabled community in accordance with legislation.
Accessibility of the built environment for people with disabilities in Ireland is mainly controlled by the Technical Guidance Document, Part M, of the Building Regulations (2000) entitled “Access for People with Disabilities”. The underlying philosophy of Part M is to ensure that buildings are usable by people with disabilities. The Building Regulations (2000) apply to construction of new buildings after 1st January 2001 and any extension work or renovations carried out after this date.
There are also a number of Acts that provide a legislative framework to ensure that premises and services comply with minimum accessibility requirements. These include the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, the Employment Equality Act 1998/2004, the Equal Status Act 2000/2004, the Disability Act 2005 and Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Also, key national plans such as the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 2000, and Sustaining Progress 2003, have promoted accessibility.
While legislation provides for minimum standards in accessibility, Universal Access takes this one step further. It is a key concept that states that all environments should be accessible by everyone, regardless of ability. Everybody is different and there is no ‘average’ person. As a result, universal accessibility will benefit everyone because people with disabilities, people of small or tall stature, parents with buggies, delivery persons and so forth will have greater and safer access to the built and external environments.
Want to find out more?
For more details on our access consultancy service please contact info@gcil.ie with your request.
