Built Environment Accessible to All - An Overview of Disability

Access Certificate (DAC)

By Sabrina Spillane

Learning Outcomes

• What is Disability• What is Accessibility• Building Regulations of Ireland• Revision of TGD Part M• People and Organizations Involved in Review

of TGD Part M• Disability Access Certificate (DAC) &

Requirements, Advantages, Disadvantages

What is Disability?

• “The term “Disability” summarizes a great number of different functional limitations occurring in any population, in any country of the world. People may be disabled by physical, intellectual or sensory impairment, medical conditions or mental illness. Such impairments, conditions or illnesses may be permanent or transitory in nature.”- United Nations Standard Rules

What is Accessibility?

• There are many definitions for Accessibility this is one that suit this lecture.

• “The ease and convenience with which a property can be entered by customers, tenants, and other users, particularly related to access via automobile. Also, building design and alterations that enable people with physical disabilities to enter and maneuver in the building.”– http://www.answers.com/topic/accessibility

Building Regulations of Ireland

• Building Regulation in Ireland - Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG)

• Technical Guidance Document (TGD)• Comply with the TGDs you are in compliance

with Building Regulations of Ireland• Building Regulations for Accessibility – “Access

for people with Disabilities” is known as Part M and Part K of the regulations

Revision of TGD Part M

• Building Regulations and TGD Part M 2000 – Access for people with disability required further guidance to make buildings more accessible

• Commitment given in Outline Sectoral Place under Section 36 – Disability Act 2005

• Result – Disability Access Certificate (DAC)

People and Organizations Involved in Review of TGD Part M

• People with disability• Architects, Developers, Quantity Surveyors• National Disability Authority • Irish Wheelchair Association • National Council for the Blind • Irish Council for Social Housing• RIAI - • National Rehabilitation Board

Disability Access Certificate (DAC)

• DAC made Law January 01 2010• An architect or other professional prepares

and submits Application Form per building to Building Control Authority (BCA)

• It is required before any work is done on the building - Post Planning Review Stage

• It is applied for the same time Fire Certificate

DAC Cont’d

• 2 Month Minimum process time of DAC approval• Failure of Approval – Appeal to An Bord Pleanála• Revision of DAC – Any changes to a building plan

a revision DAC application need to be submitted –

• Public Offense not to have a DAC for building

Application Cost Per Building E800

Application Appeal Cost Per Building E250

Application Revision Cost Per Building E800

DAC Requirements

• DAC Application Form (www.environ.ie (pg 38))

• E800 Fee• Drawings, in duplicate, including a site plan

showing the approaches to the building and internal layout plans, clearly illustrating (in colour if needed) how the building complies with Part M of Building Regulations

DAC Requirements Cont’d• A detailed report which should systematically work through Part

M and cover the following topics:– approaches to the building, including paths and steps– access into the building; door widths, lobbies– circulation within the building; corridors, stairs, lifts– access to the facilities within the whole building– that sufficient bedrooms in hotels and guest houses are provided for

people with disabilities– that fully accessible toilets, bathrooms and showers are provided– that audience and spectator facilities make allowances for

wheelchair users, for example– that apartments in a building are fully accessible

Advantages

• Building Control Authorities (BCA)• Demonstration on Compliance– Approach to a Building– Access to a Building– Circulation within a Building– Use of facilities within a Building– Sanitary Conveniences

• Universal Accessibility Symbols for Buildings

Building Control Authorities

• Monitors the accessibility in building• Refuse DAC - You can Appeal to An Bord

Pleanála – Appeal Fee E250• Request further documentation to comply with

outlines regulations• Permission to access sites applying for DAC• Breaches made – power to enforce the law and

prosecute offenders• Can’t sell property without a valid DAC

Approach to a Building

Access to a Building

Circulation within a Building

Use of facilities within a Building

Sanitary Conveniences

Universal Accessibility Symbols for Buildings

• Sanitary Symbols – Men and Women Restrooms

• Building Accessible Symbols

• Parking Accessibility Symbols and Parking Permit for people with Disability

Disadvantages

• People with disabilities won’t be able to safely and independently access and use of a inaccessible built environment

• Unable to achieve quality of life in society that all other citizens has pursuing an active life in society

• Won’t have equal access to services and employment

• Exclusion from participating as equal citizens.

POP QUIZ

POP QUIZ

• Who monitors how buildings regulations are put in place correctly?a) Building Contractors Associationb) Building Commissioning Associationc) Building Control Authorities

• What does DAC stand for?a) Dublin Art Cultureb) Disability Access Certificatec) Downhill Assist Control

POP QUIZ

• When did DAC come into affect?a) January 01 2008b) January 01 2010c) January 01 2009

• How much does an application for DAC cost?a) 250b) 600c) 800

POP QUIZ

• What is the Minimum process time of DAC approval?a) 2 Monthsb) 6 Monthsc) 3 Months

• Name 3 ways to comply with DAC Regulations?1) ______________________________2) ______________________________3) ______________________________

Class Exercise

• Create a Disability Access Certificate for Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) including application form and report. Blank Application Form can be found in the following location (www.environ.ie (pg 38))

Thank You