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Access to play and playspace.
’The aspiration of those providing play facilities must be to create challenges for all and barriers for none. Where totally shared experience is not always possible, then at least opportunities can be created for similar and, if possible, qualitatively equal experience for all children. If every item of play apparatus is not wholly accessible, then more has to be gained from those that are.
Accessible & Inclusive Playspace John Hicks 2003 - quoted in the WICKSTEED Guide to the DDA 2007 .'
John Hicks is the only RPII Annual Inspector listed in the Deputy Prime Minister's guide to Developing Accessible Play Space - A good Practice Guide as a source of expert advice in relation to technical, health and safety aspects of play.
NOTE - We also provide in house training for inspectors and lay people - Routine and Operational standard - we are considered cheap @ £350 PER DAY - we do not charge separately for examining or invigilating RPII examinations
In connection with playground inspection four questions must be addressed
1. Why do we need to inspect play equipment?
2. How ofton must inspections take place?
3. Who can inspect play areas?
4. How much will it cost?
If you have further questions please go to:
www.access-audits.co.uk
www.rpii-inspector.co.uk
THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW IS STUBBORNLY WRONG AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT ME GO TO
johnhicks@playgroundinspection.co.uk
ALTERNATIVELY GO TO
johhicks@lineone.net
NOTE - We also provide training for inspectors and lay people - Routine and Operational standard @ £350 PER DAY !
A new edition of THE PLAYGROUND INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL is now available from John Hicks @ £22: 50 but orders received before June will be delivered at a total cost of £20.
This handbook is aimed at all of those operational level inspectors currently listed on the Register of Playground Inspectors International (RPII) who might wish to consolidate their knowledge and experience and go on to complete the ‘Annual Inspectors’ examination. More significantly perhaps it provides a comprehensive training programme and source of reference for hundreds of people currently qualified as routine level inspectors who want to progress to operational level and many more considering RPII membership at the routine level. Finally it serves as a useful compendium and information source for councillors and officers who undertake daily or weekly inspections themselves or manage those who do.
John Hicks & Associates is a wholly owned subsidiary of JOHN HICKS LTD.
Registered in England & Wales
Company Registration Number 4160958
VAT Reg. No. 650 3437 57
John Hicks has completed the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) training programme and has published extensively on access and inclusion as well as on playgrounds .
See
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995: Community Premises and Village Hall Access Audits and the playground related material below.
There is a fairly new item (May 2011) on the NEWS page that will interest anyone planning on installing safety surfacing
Access audits - Premises
The company will undertake ACCESS AUDITS on premises anywhere but generally operates within 100 miles of Birmingham
We provide access audit and inspection services throughout the year and owing to the seasonal nature of our other roles we can offer a very prompt and efficient service from October to March
Nobody wants to turn away business but before engaging an auditor for any purpose take a look at the general advice below on 'self help' and the notes that follow
Equality Act 2010
Times and circumstances have changed notably in the passing and progressive implementation of the Equality Act 2010 and the consequent Public Sector Equality Duty and while April 6th 2011 was to have been the next key date oddly this was brought forward by one day to the 5th. new draft specific duties are on line..
Public authorities now have to embed equity considerations into their day to day work, review policies and practices from time to time and keep up to date their public statements on priorities. From April 6th 2012 they need to publish and regularly update their policy, priorities and practices.
By 31st July 2011 they had to publish proof that they had considered all aspects of this duty across their range of functions (schools had until 31st December 2011 to state their positions) after which date annual updates are required
In three respects at least we shall be looking again at the basis for our claims to undertake ‘access audits’ ‘across the field of play and recreation
1. Women’s rights
2. ‘Ageism’ and
3. Public parks and open spaces – utilisation and facilities
Councils and other public bodies have to consider and consult on how to positively respond to their extended roles and there is a clear link between these three areas and we are able to advise them when it comes to public consultation and research. .
Since it is mainly women who are the ‘parents or other carers’ responsible for children at all times issues such as ongoing and persistent discrimination in connection with breast feeding in public places should be considered.
Since older people are largely free during the day and also have a recognised carer role their use and ready facilitation of public space and equipment/services are of interest to us. It is far from fanciful to presume that they might be encouraged and enabled to utilise ‘trim trails’ and publicly available exercise features and equipment - but there are dangers here for the infirm as well as for the young - see the partially reconstructed NEWS section
Government advice specifically relates to public parks and open spaces in these connections and here our interest is obvious and important.
For PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS and safety in general visit web sites @ www.playgroundinspection.co.uk and www.rpii-inspector.co.uk
For regional issues take a look at the more closely focussed www.wcpfa.org.uk
This is the only company in Britain with competence in premises and playground access auditing since we have unique sklls, training and experience in these areas .
PLAYGROUND INSPECTION and ACCESS AUDITS - Further company publications
1. Children’s Playgrounds A Guide to the management and Design of Children’s Play space
2. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 - Access to Public Play Space: A Guide to Audit. Disability
3. Playgrounds for Children with Special Needs. - RoSPA
4. Accessible and Inclusive Play space - Most recently
5. The Playground Inspection & Maintenance Manual - Now fully revised.
But if you want to see 'cutting edge' approaches to accessible public space go to the ACT reference in the NEWS section
CHARGES FOR ACCESS AUDIT SURVEYS ARE LISTED BELOW.
We do freebies for organisations that simply can’t afford the fee but expenses are charged at actual cost. See the news section for more on this issue.
WE OFFER SPECIAL TERMS TO ANY ORGANISATION OR GROUP SUPPORTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS OR INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES
Regular readers know that we also provide free inspections for ‘Safe Houses’ and host appeals and development programmes in this quarter
As a part of our planned giving programme for 2008 and for the following three years the free service was extended in part to the Rural Community Councils in four counties in which we operate
GLOUCESTERSHIRE - NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - OXFORDSHIRE - WARWICKSHIRE
They were all offered a free access audit on a hall, pavilion or similar building or a free playground access audit, safety audit and risk assessment to give as a prize for the 'CALOR BEST VILLAGE' in each of the next three years.
Any small village was eligible and I looked forward to undertaking the work myself in the one county which accepted the offer. - Northants- The rest declined and I’ve heard nothing more from Northants - STRANGE
Play area inspections
GUIDANCE
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) each produced advice and guidance on equality issues but their work is now subsumed within the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) set up on 1st October 2007, Papers and policies are still available from the ancestral bodies, notably advice on key issues and full copies of the 1995 and 2005 Acts.
SEE THE NOTE ABOVE CONCERNING THE 2010 aCT
DISCLAIMER
ACCESS AUDITS are not Fire or Health and Safety Risk Assessment Reports. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has however published two booklets:
1. A Guide to Risk Assessment Requirements
2. Five Steps to Risk Assessment.
These publications provide sound and relevant advice for lay persons and can be downloaded from the HSE web site – alternatively a separate risk assessment can be undertaken by the company.
Access audits are conducted within the published guidelines and priorities of the CAE Designing for Accessibility CAE – ISBN 0 90339756 31 5 and utilise where relevant and appropriate the twenty-one point CAE checklists recommended for the purpose.
PLAYGROUNDS are assessed using the methodology outlined in Accessible and Inclusive Play Space - this procedure and system of recording outcomes has now been adopted by seven local authorities in Britain
RISK ASSESSMENTS - Can be undertaken in tandem with auditing procedures - see the notes on fees for details.
SELF HELP
Before engaging an auditor consider what you can do yourselves – its cheaper!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND SERVICE PROVISION
1.Think about who might be at disadvantage
a The elderly
b The very small
c The very large
d Pregnant women
e. People with learning disabilities
f People who have limited vision or poor hearing and, although they are a minority
g People with walking aids or who are wheelchair users
2.Is your entrance(s) clearly signed and free of obstructions?
3.Is it wide enough? New buildings should have an external door entrance of 800mm clear minimum width while internal doors should be 750mm minimum. Existing buildings should have a minimum clear width of 750mm in external and internal doors.
4.If there is a step up could a ramp, possibly a temporary feature be installed or kept readily available? Otherwise is there an acceptable alternative entrance?
5.Does the door handle provide a good grip, at the appropriate height (900-1130mm) and is the effort needed to move the door at or less than that recommended, 15-30 Newtons. NOTE 10 Newtons are approximately equivalent to 1 Kilogram and so test the door with a weighing spring scale at 2.5 to 3 Kilograms which is roughly 4.5 to a little over 6 pounds .
6.Is it worth considering installing a bell push so that people can seek help in getting into the building?
7.Is there clear and unobstructed headroom throughout the circulation areas and are there any objects protruding into circulation areas?
8.Is there adequate circulation space in aisles and between display sections?
9.Is flooring suitable for the purpose? Loose rugs, highly polished or shiny surfaces and some coir and similar flooring materials can impede or disorientate people with specific disabilities.
10.If relevant consider if shelves and display areas are equally accessible for all customers and is the full range of goods equally accessible?
11.Do signs, bars and notices on grilles and windows prevent people from lip reading?
12.Is lighting and signage appropriate for people with limited vision? See the note below
13.Is there a counter or checkout area with knee room for a wheelchair user to utilise in writing cheques or signing card slips?
14.Is access to services such as self operated photocopiers suitable for all customers?
15. Can all visitors hang up and comfortably retrieve their coats? (Think about it!)
16.Can condoms,tampons or even cigarettes be obtained from vending machines and similar outlets from a low level such as a wheel chair.
LIGHTING IN HALLS AND OTHER MEETING PLACES (As well as shops and stores)
There is a European standard indicating a need for 200 lux in any continuously occupied space and a minimum colour rendering index of 80 (30 = poor 100 = excellent).
This is an appropriate level for task lighting at work or reading stations but passages and corridors are adequately lit at between 50 and 100 lux.
Close work requires higher lighting levels up to perhaps 300 to 500 lux
Older people,over 40, can require enhanced light levels as can the degree of reflectivity of surfacing while transition from one lighted area to another can be disorientating if the light levels are very significantly different. (500+ Lux to 100 or less)
Street lighting tends to be monochromatic sodium lighting which provides poor colour rendering which can also be disorientating in the transition from street to domestic, incandescent, light levels and types. Ideally entrances and lobbies should in these circumstances have adaptation zones to prepare visually disadvantaged people for the change.
While more light generally means better perception it should also be borne in mind that additional lighting can reduce visual performance of people with specific eye conditions and so the degree to which individuals can control their own immediate environment is important and significant.
The wiring and control systems on fluoresescent lighting can interfere with hearing aids and so their use is to be discouraged where this is likely to be a problem. In any case except where special lamps are used they also offer poor colour rendering.
A competent auditor should take these issues into account and report on them but these general notes might be helpful and buying a light meter is perhaps taking self help too far.
For even more boring information on lighting go the the NEWS section
If you find all of this too much to cope with then perhaps you should commission an access audit report and we would be glad to undertake the work..
We have undertaken site inspection and acess audits at four Severn Trent reservoir playgrounds and visitor centres. These places are magic and we should all take our children, dogs and elderly relatives for a regular day out there
Try Carsington first
More recently we have audited
THE ARTHUR RANK CENTRE STONELEIGH
TWENTY PLAYGROUNDS IN OXFORDSHIRE
CITY OF PLYMOUTH'S PLAYGROUNDS
PRIESTLY COLLEGE WARRINGTON
WARWICK DISTRICT COUNCIL'S PLAY AREAS
WARWICKSHIRE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE PREMISES
WINSTANLEY COLLEGE
FIVE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE VILLAGE HALLS
SELLY OAK CAMPUS - UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
BOTANICAL GARDENS PLAY AREA BIRMINGHAM
CHARGES - Fixed since 2001 and good until further notice
For an access audit and report on a play area, village hall, pavilion or similar space the standard fee is set @ £125 PER HALF DAY
For more extensive and largely commercial premises we charge more but seldom more than £350 per day including travel and expenses
If a risk assessment is also required then an additional fee of £30 is charged.
THE MINIMUM CHARGE is £125 but in special cases a risk assessment can be included in this time costed approach.
There are generally no ‘extras’ or travel costs and charges but
All charges are subject to VAT
Catch up time
Thanks to all of those that responded to our appeals and sent money to WOMEN'S AID @ PO BOX 391 BRISTOL
Christmas came and went and in my home county, Durham, a guy celebrated by killing three women and then himself and its a good reminder about funding for victims of domestic violence - not just women remember, men, elders of both sexes, children of course, and anyone else in thewrong place when the boots and bottles fly.
Still more money is needed because drunken weekends, weddings, funerals and other celebrations go on with consequent injury (mainly but not entirely to women) and it is the children that really suffer.
Its difficult to believe but today, long after the Lenten denial period of penitence , prayer, and fasting its time that some people sat down and gave - Some of you gave up self denial early last year and perhaps this year too but never mind just add uo what you might have spent on booze in recent weeks and get a cheque off to Women's Aid and then enjoy renewed or dontinued indulgence with a better conscience - You'll feel so much better - Promise.
£20 would help but in all of the circumstances £50 would be better
THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995 (DDA) the 2005 ACT and see the 2010 ACT above for an update
October 1st 2004 came and went but nobody seemed to notice the full implementation of the 1995 Act.
CHANGES SINCE THEN INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT TO ANTICIPATE RATHER THAN TO RESPOND TO NEED - WE ASK MIGHT SOMEONE RATHER THAN HAS SOMEONE BEEN DISADVANTAGED AND ACT ACCORDINGLY - ADDITIONALLY WE NOTE THAT:
1. THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS SUCH AS CANCER, HIV AND MS FROM THE TIME OF FIRST DIAGNOSIS.·
2. THE DDA IS EXTENDED TO COVER ASPECTS OF TRANSPORT SERVICES NOT PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED, NOTABLY MANAGEMENT AND IMMEDIATE SERVICE DELIVERY.·
3. PUBLIC SECTOR BODIES ARE REQUIRED TO SEEK TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT AND TO PROMOTE DISABILITY EQUALITY ON SIMILAR TERMS TO THE REQUIREMENT TO PROMOTE RACE EQUALITY UNDER THE RACE RELATIONS ACT (RRA)
4. MOST OF THE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES ARE COVERED BY THE ACT, INCLUDING LETTING OF PREMISES.
5. PRIVATE CLUBS, INCLUDING SPORTS CLUBS WITH MORE THAN 25 MEMBERS, ARE COVERED BY THE ACT.
SOME POSSIBLE OUTCOMES·
1. ALL SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL NEED TO CRITICALLY CONSIDER AND IN SOME CASES INTRODUCE OR MAKE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS TO POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES RELEVANT TO THEIR SERVICE PROVISION. THIS MIGHT INVOLVE A NEED TO WAIVE OR MODIFY PRESENT TERMS OF USE OF PREMISES AND FACILITIES.·
2. WHERE LIMITS ARE PLACED ON VEHICLE ENTRY OR OTHERWISE AIDED ACCESS, THEN A PERMIT SYSTEM BACKED UP BY ELECTRONIC OR OTHER ‘KEY’ SYSTEMS COULD BE INTRODUCED TO ASSIST SOME VISITORS AND THEIR COMPANIONS IF NECESSARY. ·
3. INFORMATION AND ADVICE POSTED AT ALL ENTRANCES TO SERVICE-PROVIDING AREAS CAN BE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESS ROUTES AS WELL AS ITEMS OF INTEREST OR ACTIVITY. ·
4. ALTERNATIVE AND SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTES AND FACILITIES SUCH AS SEATS AND VANTAGE POINTS WITH AIDED ACCESS CAN BE PROMINENTLY HIGHLIGHTED. ·
5. TACTILE, AUDITORY AND COLOUR-CODED INDICATORS COULD READILY BE INTRODUCED TOO AS SUPPORT AND ADVISORY AIDS IN RELATION TO ROUTES, LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES.
6. SIGNAGE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES CAN BE INTRODUCED.
7. TAKING PARALLELS FROM THE RRA, THE PROVISION OF TRANSLATOR OR OTHER AIDS TO DEAF PEOPLE AT A CENTRAL SERVICE POINT MIGHT BE SEEN AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
We are not the only or even always the best source of advice and information on access issues generally but would claim to be market leaders in relation to playground access auditing and in the top division in relation to auditing,safety inspections and risk assesssments generally.
Informed choice is the best guarantee of satisfaction so, in addition to those contacts on the LINKS page, here are a few additional sources of advice and information.
1. EQUALITY & HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) each produced advice and guidance on equality issues but their work is now subsumed within the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) set up on 1st October 2007, Papers and policies are still available from the ancestral bodies, notably advice on key issues and full copies of the 1995 and 2005 Acts.
OFFICES IN CARDIFF, GLASGOW. LONDON & MANCHESTER + a helpline and a website
Go to the web site at www.equalityhumanrights.com
2. CENTRE FOR ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS (CAE)
Provides Consultancy,Training and Publications (not cheap but sound) as well as some advice by phone or fax.
Contact
70, South lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL or phone 021 7840 0125
3. HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE)
Their most recent statement on playgrounds was in 2002 and it is misleading in its frequently quoted statement on the incidence of playground fatalities and plainly out of date in relation to the relevant British standards .
The Play Safety Forum has issued a statement on acceptable risk which is wholly endorsed by HSE. It is equally dated and, since it draws upon the same old statistics, similarly mistaken in matters of fact.
See also PLAY ENGLAND's Making Space for Play
Hit the News button for a more extensive discussion of these issues as well as for an explanation of the persistently misleading statistics relating to playground deaths.
Risk and Challenge in Children’s Play – Play Council 2004 - is the most recent ‘official’ statement that I can find on this issue – it pussy foots around the clichés!
NOTE
The modified version of BSEN1176 provides recognition of ‘an increasing need for play provision to be accessible to users with disabilities’ this is set against the requirement to ‘provide a balance between safety and the offer of the required level of challenge and stimulation to all possible groups of users’. This idea is linked to clinical conditions associated with ‘increased size of the head’ and the ‘wearing of helmets’
‘Barrier free’ environments seem likely to engage further interest and while American experience will suitably inform our debates their apparent major concern with wheel chair accessible environments is perhaps more narrowly focussed than the incidence of perceived need might justify.
John Hicks
Updated 18th April 2012
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