Call for evidence on the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009

Closing date: Wednesday 15 March 2017 About this call for evidence. The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee has launched a call for written evidence as part of its post legislative scrutiny of the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009. The Committee want to hear your thoughts on how it is working and whether the Act has achieved its objective to prevent disabled persons’ parking places being occupied by those that are not entitled to use them by making all permanent disabled street parking places enforceable. If you would like more information on the call for evidence, please
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New Cases study: The Homelands Trust Fife – Accessible lodges

We recently published a new case study on the Inclusive Design Hub that was provided by The Homelands Trust Fife about their accessible lodges. The Homelands Trust-Fife is a Scottish, registered charity (SC027281) based in Lundin Links, Fife. Some years ago. local lady, Miss Isabel Paxton, left her estate, “Homelands”, to charity for the benefit of people affected by “MS and other disabling and incurable conditions”. As a result of this generous legacy, the Trust commissioned 4 purpose-built, accessible, self-catering holiday lodges, which are designed and equipped to meet the needs of disabled people with a variety of conditions. To read
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Design for the Mind

Research is currently underway that will enable the development of the first British Standards Institute (BSI) guidelines for designing for people who can be classed as neurodivergent: a term that encompasses a range of conditions, such as dementia, autism, dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The guidelines are likely to cover four distinct areas: spatial characteristics, including lighting and distractions; way finding; safeguarding, such as avoiding the potential for feelings of entrapment; and design features. Under an initiative dubbed ‘Design for the Mind’, the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art has been commissioned to carry
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Inclusive Design Q&A with Jackie Maceira, SDEF Convener

What does Inclusive Design mean to you? “Inclusive Design ensures that everybody is included and nobody is excluded from society” How inclusive is the built environment in Scotland? “Many buildings in Scotland were designed and built without disabled people in mind. We now must ensure that all new buildings in Scotland are designed to be fully inclusive. We must also ensure that the environment that surrounds a building is inclusive. A building that is accessible is useless if the built environment that surrounds it is inaccessible” How does Inclusive Design in Scotland compare with other countries? “There are just as
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Shared Spaces are continuing to be piloted and rolled out in town centres across the UK.  But how safe are they?

The concept which is originates from Holland, is based on the idea that a lack of obvious rules around priority instils a sense of citizenship and ‘other awareness’. In theory, this does make sense—we are, in today’s society of regulations, control and applied safety measures, less vigilant of potential dangers through our expectation that there is a structure or process which will protect us if we choose to wander off mentally. Shared spaces do not work for everyone, as those with a sight or hearing impairment or learning difficulty may be unable to rely on their senses or thinking processes
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Inclusive Design Q&A with Pat McGuigan, SDEF Director

 What does Inclusive Design mean to you? “Inclusive Design leads to a more inclusive society and reduced social exclusion”  How inclusive is the built environment in Scotland? “In my lifetime there has been big improvements in accessibility in Scotland, however we are still far from calling the built environment ‘inclusive’. In particular there is a lack of investment in inclusive design for the Highlands and Islands – the bulk of investment is ploughed into the central belt.”  What are the best examples of Inclusive Design in Scotland? “Accessible transport has improved. There are now over 200 accessible train stations in
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Getting it Right First Time Around

Whilst the practicalities of creating inclusive spaces adds another dimension to the planning and design of buildings, this should not make accessibility a luxury as it still often does.  Building Standards outline the responsibilities of planners in 4.1 of ‘Access to Buildings’: ‘An inclusive approach to design should be taken to ensure that buildings are as accessible to as wide a range of people as possible. Solutions should be integral to a design rather than an afterthought added in order to meet duties under building standards or other legislation.’ So why then do we still spend so much on post
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Breaking News! Shared Spaces

Evening Standard Press Release Roads shared by pedestrians, cyclists and drivers ‘cause chaos,’ government report finds “Free-for-all” road share schemes designed to declutter streets by removing pavements and crossings are causing chaos, government ministers have warned. A Conservative peer has argued that the Nordic-style road design, seen on Exhibition Road in London, is putting cyclists and pedestrians at risk. According to The Times, Lord Holmes of Richmond said that at least 14 local councils have scrapped shared space schemes by reintroducing zebra crossings and cycle lanes. His comments come as the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) is expected
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Disability Roadshow – Inclusive Design

Scottish  Disability Equality Forum and Cumnock & Doon Valley Access Panel  would like your views on the challenges you experience with housing and adaptations. We would also like to share with you our new Inclusive Design Hub. The Disability Roadshow event will take place on 20 September 2016, 1pm-3pm in Netherthird Community Education Centre, to find out what’s important to you. WHEN Tuesday, 20 September 2016 from 13:00 to 15:00 (BST) – Add to Calendar WHERE Netherthird Community Education Centre – Ryderston Drive, Cumnock, KA18 3AR – View Map To book your free place contact Maureen Bennison admin@sdef.org.uk Tel: 01259 272064 or
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Inclusive Design Equality Awareness Seminar: IDEAS Something to Think About

With the support of SDEF and the four access panels in Ayrshire, they have come together once again to hold a joint Awareness Seminar. This will take place in Irvine during September/October 2016. This event will build on our previous highly successful seminars. The day will kick-off at 10:00 and finish at 15:45. We have two guest speakers, with Fire Safety and Emergency Egress as well as the contentious issue of Shared Surfaces, as the possible subjects. The Panels have organised four separate interactive pan-disability workshops for delegates to take part in, including; Wheelchair Awareness Visual and other Sensory Impairments
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