Inclusive projects

Part I: Introduction

1. About this guide

1.1 The purpose of this guide

1.1.1 This guide offers best practice advice on how all participants in the development process can contribute to the delivery of a high quality inclusive environment that provides access to all members of society, including disabled people.

1.1.2 To achieve this, the guide:

• explains the meaning of inclusive environments and conveys the social, legal and commercial benefits;
• describes the typical stages of the development process;
• highlights the significant role that 'Project Briefs' play in defining the access requirements of a project at every stage;
• underlines the importance of proactively (rather than through expectation) converting the project briefs into inclusive environments;
• explains the pivotal role that the 'Access Champion' plays in the project briefing and development processes; and
• explains the roles that the other key participants play in the project briefing and development processes.

1.1.3 The guide also provides:

• best practice guidance on writing project briefs for inclusive environments;
• best practice guidance on converting the project briefs into inclusive environments;
• guidance on identifying and appointing a suitable Access Champion;
• real life examples of common problems and the reasons for them; and
• a glossary of key terms.

1.2 Who is this guide for?

1.2.1 Inclusive environments are the concern of everyone involved in the design, construction and occupation of buildings and transport infrastructure. This guide is therefore of general interest to all participants in the process.

1.2.2 However the guide is of particular relevance to the key participants in the process. These key participants are:

• the employer/developer;
• the Access Champion;
• the project manager;
• the lead designer;
• other designers;
• the contractor;
• the funder; and
• the end-user/occupier.

1.3 Terms used in this guide

1.3.1 Within this guide, jargon and technical language has been avoided wherever possible. However there are a number of important and unavoidable terms with specific meaning relevant to the purpose of this guide. There is an explanation of these terms in the Glossary, which can be found at the end of the document.

1.4. How widely does this guide apply?

1.4.1 Although the guide explains the development process in some detail, it should be recognised that the construction industry is highly creative and develops numerous variations to the common process. These variations may exist for reasons of speed, risk, complexity or cost.

1.4.2 As a result this guide cannot address every possible variation to the basic process.

1.4.3 For this reason it is essential that the key participants have a full understanding of the effect on design and construction responsibilities that differing project structures or procurement routes have.

1.4.4 If this knowledge does not exist then further advice should be sought.

Published: 17 June 2003

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