This is one for the DRC methinks. I am sat here doing their consultative
document at the moment, and I think it is surely one question to pose to them at
as early an opportunity as possible.
============================================
Rob Bracewell
Access Officer
Lancaster City Council
Palatine Hall,
Dalton Square,
Lancaster,
LA1 1PW
Tel. 01524 582372
Fax. 01524 582323
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 July 2000 15:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Lowry Centre - Salford
The July edition of Disability Now included the following article
which has been summarised.
ART GOOD, ACCESS POOR. Salford's new Lowry arts centre
may look impressive, but is it accessible?
Problems listed include:
Parking on an unmade road.
Electric doors that open towards you when you press the pad.
Few staff around, no plan available, so difficult to navigate around
building.
Floor covering that was difficult to wheel over.
Signs were set in silver / metal on walls therefore not very
distinguishable.
Steep ramp to loos in basement with one accessible cubical in
each sex loo.
Article did point out that workmen were still working on painting
etc.
Article does point out that the displays are well set out in an open
plan area with lots of space around them.
Having visited the building myself a short while ago it was evident
that some of the matters listed above had been attended to whilst
some of the other deficiencies still remain, during the visit other
examples of bad and in some cases dangerous practice were
noted.
For such a new, landmark project I was extremely disappointed
with the standard of accessibility achieved. In my opinion there
were certain features that do not comply with even the most lenient
interpretation of "reasonable" provision.
The building has obviously obtained Part M approval but the burning
question for me is:
Will the relevant section of the DDA when it comes into force in
2004 enable disabled people to bring an action against the
operators of such a building that has received Part M approval in
line with today's interpretation of the regulation even though, in my
opinion, certain features do not comply?
Any suggestions
Look forward to hearing from you
Andy
SURFACE
Salford University, Research Focus on ACcessible Environments
http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface/
Tel: 01874 636826
________________________________________________________________________
This message has been checked for all known viruses, by Star Internet,
delivered through the MessageLabs Virus Control Centre.
For further information visit:
http://www.star.net.uk/stats.asp
___________________________________________________________________________
The information in this e-mail is confidential and may be legally
privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to
this e-mail by anyone else is unauthorised. If you are not the
intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any
action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited
and may be unlawful. Although this e-mail and any attachments are
believed to be free of any virus, or any other defect which might
affect any computer or IT system into which they are received and
opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that they are
virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Lancaster City
Council for any loss or damage arising in any way from receipt or
use thereof.
Furthermore the views contained in this e-mail are those of the originator.
Unless they state otherwise they are not the views or opinions of the Council.
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
This message has been checked for all known viruses, by Star Internet,
delivered through the MessageLabs Virus Control Centre.
For further information visit:
http://www.star.net.uk/stats.asp
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|