The Disability Discrimination Act : Inclusion

by J A Penton

RIBA Publications, London 1999, ISBN 1 85946 032 1
128 pages, price £25.00
Paperback
Many diagrams

John Penton has had long experience of designing for disabled and elderly people and was a founder trustee of the Centre for Accessible Environments. The book is described as 'a workbook for building owners, facilities managers and architects'. The inclusive design advice he gives in this book is valuable as it comes from the practical application of the basic principles of inclusive design.

The diagrams cover all aspects of design from the height of mirrors for wheelchair users to a comprehensive section on the means of escape in case of fire. Particularly useful are the suggestions for designing for historic buildings: for example, wrought-iron door fittings and suggestions for ramps and platform lifts.

The book includes the obligatory access-audit checklists as well as public management issues on safety, security, risk assessment and evacuation. These are all areas that need careful attention paid to them.

This review was first published in Barrierfree 16, Winter 2003-4. Barrierfree is the journal of the Museums and Galleries Disability Association.