Public Space Accessibility The Accessibility Plan Public Buildings 8 June 2018 Lorraine Guthrie Barrier Free

Purpose - To champion a more liveable world Mission - To advocate for accessibility and universal design by providing professional advice and training and shape the creation of accessible buildings, spaces and transport networks

The Accessibility Plan: Public Buildings What is it? A programme of work intended to achieve ‘Equitable access to and use of publicly accessible buildings by all New Zealanders’ Where and When? From a review into the accessibility of public buildings commissioned by MBIE and ODI in late 2013. Developed with input from an external access reference group.

User Guidelines Phase 1 Conceptual Design Deliverables Investigate options for incorporating end-user access requirements effectively into conceptual design phase • initial draft of user-requirements for publicly accessible buildings • sector engagement on initial draft • final draft approved by MBIE • report identifying where/how the guide can be used in the construction sector • MBIE keen to hear consultation feedback on next steps

Phase 1 What else is in Phase 1? Terms of Reference for environmental scan of building developer and designer sector/targeted communications Assess the true cost and potential benefit of improved access in new and existing buildings

What else? As near as reasonably practicable • Guidance • Engagement • Education Align and simplify pathways to achieve compliance • NZS 4121 • Acceptable solution • Alternative solution

options for non-compliance of access issues Investigate Current; and Alternative enforcement options for non-compliance of access issues

Occupation Identify mechanisms to assist the Disability Sector stakeholders to work together to improve accessibility of public buildings

Informative, Coherent, Useful Users of the Guidelines Informative, Coherent, Useful Architects, Designers, TA’s, User Groups, Owners, Occupiers, Government, Tertiary Providers, Access Advisors Who else?

Section Titles A B C D E F Activity Processes Surrounding Areas Site Layout Pedestrian access and circulation Vehicle and cycle access and circulation Building entrances and exits G H I J K L Internal circulation Use of spaces Fixtures and fittings Building types Means of escape Building Management

Element A Process Approach – how building users ‘use’ a space • Gather information – be aware, gather information about the environment • Process information – use the information you have gathered to decide on a course of action • Take action – navigate through and find your destination, physically move and/or operate fixtures and fittings

An example Activity - what the building user wants to do • Locate the staircase Commentary - explains the reasons for the activity and other information from the user’s perspective • Recognisable as a staircase • Attractively designed staircase • Prominent position • Visibility from the entrance and waiting areas • Alternative step free routes to others floors are identifiable • It is not usable unless it can be identified and located • People with visual impairments may only be able to locate by way of tactile cues

Design Response - how to design for the user to have the best experience • Logical position • Good sightlines • Directional cues from circulation routes • Directional cues at decision making points Design Examples References – Compliance requirements/International Best Practice

Another example B Surrounding Areas Element Transport options Activity Decide on most suitable method of transport Commentary Visitors may arrive at the site by a combination of modes, car, bike, passenger in a car, bus, taxi, ferry, wheelchair or as a pedestrian Design Response Consider possible pedestrian routes through and from site Design Example • Select location of site and building entrances to minimise level change • Co-ordinate floor levels with typography to create level entrances • Position facilities to inform possible access routes References

Commentary – Informed by User Experience – Yours! • Surrounding areas – transport, parking, pedestrian routes • External steps, ramps, lifts, resting spaces, landscaped areas, pavements • Vehicle entrances, parking, garages • Building entrances, exits, automatic doors, revolving doors • Corridors, stairs, lifts, ramps, travellators, escalators • Means of escape, warnings, signage • Management issues – maintenance schedules, building information

Timeframes • User Guide - being drafted • Consultation - disability sector – June/July • Consultation - architects, TA’s, landscape architects, others • User Guide – updated - August • Education/Communication - MBIE working on this now • Final draft – launched - September

What is different? Barrier Free opinion NZS 4121 – overdue for review but not yet used consistently Architects and Designers – don’t know what they don’t know, design elements of the building, not how a user experiences the building TA’s – accessibility is only part of their role, inconsistency due to lack of understanding about how a building user navigates Tertiary students – very limited guidance ANARP – requires decision making currently with little guidance Commentary – is about your experience – thank you for sharing yours