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Hello Simon A few quick points from experience advising on various accessible accommodation projects: Your main and strongest recommendation should be for an access consultant (ideally who has experience of similar projects before) to be involved in the project right through from design to snagging the final build, and a budget contingency for fixing access to be built into the project costing. Whatever architects say they mostly do not have the necessary specific knowledge and expertise, remind the estates department that fixing mistakes later costs 10x the cost of building access in from the start. The longer term and better solution would be for estates staff to acquire access design qualifications eg from Centre for Accessible Environments. Compliance with Part M Building Regulations is the start point not the endpoint of good access design. These Regs are available to view online, and download free, but why not ask to discuss them with estates using their copy, so you can ensure that they have them and know their way around the regs! If there are going to be lifts, insist that one is able to be used in a fire - it will need separate power supply etc - it allows for disabled people to use whole building fully - visit friends upstairs even if w/c accessible rooms on ground floor -without H&S getting over excited. Beyond the actual bedrooms/flats, look at the general entry areas: are all entry doors generously wide, with push button door openers, all circulation areas including where to dump rubbish, collect post, do laundry, reception desk should be designed for equal accessible for students with a range of access requirements. Security issues include the use of proximity card access instead of keys for entry, lifts, flats and rooms... Wheelchair accessible rooms - it would be useful to put in a mix of left and right handed rooms and with handed en suites too, to allow for varied mobility needs. Add a couple of rooms with space/wiring for hoists and tracking (height of ceiling issues) and probably larger ensuite with changing bench. Include additional storage allowance (an extra closet?) for storing of equipment, dressings etc out of the way. Consider a couple of rooms with connecting door to next room to allow for carer accommodation, and call buttons connecting them. In the ensuites check that the handbasins are full size - too many architects lift the spec from accessible toilet design in Part M building regs which has a minute basin - but bathroom is for constant daily use not a quick handwash. Deaf/hearing impaired - a number of bedrooms and commonroom/kitchen and shared bathrooms should have flashing lights for door bell and fire alarm, and wiring to allow pillow vibrators for fire alarm relay. I hope that some of this is useful. Regards Deborah Gibberd Inclusive Practice Manager Disability and Dyslexia Team Student Services University of Brighton Checkland Building, Village Way Falmer Brighton BN1 9PH From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Simon Morris Sent: 30 January 2013 14:45 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Accessible Halls of Residence Dear All, We are currently in the process of working with a third party to build and manage a halls of residence. I have a couple of questions which I hope some of you may be able to answer. I have sent this to two forums as these are varied questions! 1. As this will be purpose built we want to make sure that the build will provide accessibility to all students. As such we want to ensure that the accessible rooms can be accessed by the largest of wheelchairs. The contractor has asked us to provide a maximum size. This is pretty hard to do as no wheelchair is the same. Does anyone have any ideas or some guidance they can point me in the direction of that would give me a steer to best practice? 2. I have suggested that we also include an assistance dog toileting area. Would others agree that this is essential? I have suggested it is, but also suggested as a compromise that the infrastructure is put in so that one can be put in if required. 3. My last question is around managing risk. The contractor will provide monitored CCTV but we need to look at who is responsible, out of hours, in times of severe crisis, i.e. rape, suicide (threat or actual) and so on. The security company are looking to the college to provide a response team, but we are interested to know how others manage this sort of risk. Linked in with this, what arrangements do others have in place for ties where a student might pull an emergency cord out of hours? Any help would be gratefully received. 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