Last reviewed: 5 October 2022

Accessible premises are vital for making sure your disabled employees, customers, and anyone else who uses your premises, are included.

Here’s a few things to keep in mind when welcoming disabled visitors to your premises.

Entrances

Make sure people can get to the entrance without needing to use stairs – for example by installing ramps. Doors can also be a barrier – revolving doors or heavy, non-automatic doors can be difficult for some disabled people to use. Install automatic, non-revolving doors instead of (or as well as) any inaccessible entrances you currently have.

Changing the door type may be costly for some small businesses – but you can still make small changes to improve the accessibility of entrances. The most effective is always to have a member of staff positioned by the entrance to offer assistance if required. If that is not possible, consider installing an intercom system so disabled people who can’t use the entrance can ask for help.

Navigation

Once inside, disabled people can still face barriers when trying to move around the premises. Confusing or unclear signage can be a significant barrier to some disabled people. Make sure that signs are clear, accurate and readable. Good contrast is important so that people with sight loss can see the signs. Avoid for example, dark grey on light grey. Dark blue on yellow is far easier to see.

It’s important for disabled people who can’t use stairs to be able to move around your premises. That means making sure that there are lifts between all floors, and that these lifts aren’t too far away from some parts of the premises – such as toilets.

Lighting and décor

Your premises need to be well lit so that people can get around without difficulty.

However, excessively bright lights can also be a barrier for some disabled people – for example people with autism who can be more sensitive to external stimulation.

Lighting can be a tricky area. What is accessible for one person (for example, well-lit spaces suit many people with sight loss), can be distressing to others (for example, some people with autism who experience sensitivity to sensory stimulation). No one likes flickering light and it can be a trigger for migraines or seizures – so a flickering light should be removed and replaced as quickly as possible.

Furniture and utilities

If you provide seating, try to ensure there are options at different heights, and with and without arm rests, for example.

If you provide toilets, then you should ensure that either the main toilets are accessible for wheelchair users or that you have an easily accessible (and unlocked) accessible toilet.

Features such as kitchens and shower rooms should be made accessible, rather than providing alternatives. For example, you could lower counter tops so that people in wheelchairs can reach them and install taps with automatic sensors so that people who face barriers relating to dexterity can still use them.

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