Hi Alan
Design for Access 2, which is policy for Manchester City Council has
specifications for a reception desk as follows:
"Counters should be at 760mm above floor level, with knee recess
spaces minimum 1500mm wide and 730mm high. An open shelf should be
provided, above the counter, at 900mm......"
We made it an open shelf to allow for more access for deaf people and
others who need to have clear access to staff behind the reception
desk and vice versa.
we are currently working with a hospital trust in the NW around
provision for people who require higher seating and others who can't
bend down and I would argue that under the DDA, it is important to
anticipate and provide for disabled people with arthritis or other
impairments at the design stage as it is required under the law to
anticipate but also because it will be more expensive later, if
reasonable adjustments have to be made (and a disabled person makes a
challenge under the law!)
Design for Access 2 is available on the City Council website at
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=3521
Unfortunately, the city council have removed all the online Word and
large print versions but they should be available from the Planning
Department on request if required.
Best wishes
Flick
At 12:49 26/08/2008, you wrote:
>Hi All.....
>our library service wants to install a new reception counter as part
>of a library
>upgrade but insists that the whole counter will be 760mm high as per Part M
>for wheelchairt users. They will not provide a higher/raised section
>or even a
>section at the usual 900mm for worktops because "it doesn't look nice". My
>assertion that they are not catering for all their clients is
>falling on deaf ears.
>Part M is not clear in this respect and they will not consider the
>guidance of
>BS8300. Does anyone know of any statutory requirement to provide a counter
>which is universal? I have also scoured the "CyMal Museums Archives and
>Libraries Wales Disability Portfolio - Wales Addition" but to no avail.
>any advice gratefully received.
>
>alan
>
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Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
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Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
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