Access for all?

There are over eight million disabled people and an increasingly elderly population in the UK. Every day they need to use a wide range of goods, facilities and services, but they often face problems in trying to gain access to these. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) is a determined and hopefully effective means to end this, often unintentional, discrimination.

From 2004, service providers may have to make reasonable adjustments to their premises to overcome physical barriers. But what constitutes 'reasonable adjustments'? The Act doesn't actually define this, although a Code of Practice does provide some examples.

But to which areas of a building does the DDA refer? We are essentially talking about access points, not the positioning of internal monitors and handsets that apply to personal use.

We must also address all physical features when looking at compliance. This can include anything from the design and construction of a building to the approach to, and exit from, the facility. Fixtures, fittings, furniture, equipment or materials in or on the premises, whether temporary or permanent, must also be considered.

That's a pretty wide-ranging subject to cover in its entirety so this article will focus on door entry and electronic access control as it is here that most confusion seems to reign and manufacturers appear to be very timid in coming forth with recommendations.

In the market
So what products are available to meet the requirements?

As a manufacturer, BPT Security initially received enquiries about how wheelchair users could be accommodated under the DDA, ie door entry panels mounted at wheelchair height. Occasionally someone went a bit further in their thinking, asking if alternative buttons were possible.

In reality, many solutions exist. When it comes to the door entry system panels, these can be supplied in high colour contrasts, with the main panel blue and the buttons yellow, for example. Further, the buttons can be illuminated for visually impaired people and embossed in Braille or with the tactile word 'call' for blind people.

However, there has been some reluctance on the part of designers and architects for such panels as they tend to be larger than standard sizes as the buttons are often bigger.

This issue can be easily overcome by the use of digital, as opposed to analogue panels. With an analogue panel, every apartment or office will have its own button; over ten buttons and the panel is getting to be large and even unsightly. A digital panel on the other hand will have a numbered keypad and visitors simply punch in the number of the area they require. Digital panels are already widely used for applications with a large number of offices and apartments.

This is not enough if the system is to be used effectively. It is possible to provide audio and visual indications of the acknowledgement of a call, when to speak and when a door is actually opening so that the visitor can gain access. All of this has been made as simple to use as possible without the need for separate equipment which would be costly for the end-user and could be discriminatory.

Mounting heights and position are a key issue when it comes to wheelchair users. To comply with BS 8300: 2001 the entry panel should be located on the latch side of the door with the activation pad positioned within 200 m of the frame (or aperture where there is a glazed facade). This should be at a height of 0·75-1 m from the finished floor level. There has been much debate as to whether two separate panels are required at different heights to cater for disabled and able-bodied people.

When it comes to locks, it must be possible to operate door opening furniture with one hand, without tightly grasping it or twisting the wrist. The best solution to this is a proximity access control system combined with the door entry equipment. Authorised users will have their own tag or card to open a door without any need for hand or wrist action.

A proximity access control system, such as the Impro Multi-Scan II from BPT, works using radio frequency (RF) energy. The proximity reader emits a constant field of RF energy via an antenna. The tag also has an antenna, which picks up the RF energy and responds by transmitting back its unique code. If valid tags are presented within a specified range and time the door is released.

Although not used for access to public facilities, one example of proximity access control aiding the disabled can be clearly demonstrated in the case of Inventure – the first yacht capable of being sailed entirely by a wheelchair using crew.

A SupaKey was donated by BPT Security Systems to overcome the problem faced by quadriplegics when using a traditional key. Trevor Jones, the aviator and yachtsman brainchild of Inventure, explains: "Quadriplegics have little use of their hands and no grip, which obviously makes using keys very difficult.

"However, we do need to be able to lock the boat when it's in a marina. Using the SupaKey means that the boat can be left secure and gives wheelchair users greater independence."

It's a sad fact that electrical contractors and security managers appear to be having difficulties finding door entry suppliers that can clearly provide solutions to the DDA requirements. With over eight million disabled people in the UK, all with legal rights to access goods, services and facilities, isn't this a very poor reflection on the security industry?

Why manufacturers are not responding to the DDA is surprising. After all, it will be enshrined in law next year. The lift industry has been manufacturing panels with embossed numbers/instructions for years.

There is help out there though. Here we have only covered access issues in relation to door entry, but there are other access issues, such as ramps signs. Information on these aspects can be obtained from the Centre for Accessible Environments (www.cae.org.uk); DDA Help Line, the Government's Disability Unit (www.disability.gov.uk), and the Disability Rights Commission (0845 762 2633; www.drc-gb.org).