Access to the built heritage
This research on access provision at a number of Historic Scotland and National Trust sites was carried out by Victoria Young and Dennis Urquhart at The Robert Gordon University.
The results of this research have been published by Historic Scotland as a Technical Advice Note. A full copy of the Technical Advice Note can be obtained through Historic Scotland at the address given below.
The following extract is taken from the introduction to the Technical Advice Note. It is copyrighted to Historic Scotland and the authors, and if quoted should be referenced as:
Victoria Young and Dennis Urquhart, 1996
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 7
"Access to the Built Heritage: Advice on the provision of access for people with disabilities to historic sites open to the public"
The Stationary Office: Edinburgh
ISBN 1 900168 23 5
Copies are available from:
Historic Scotland
Technical Conservation, Research and Education Division
Scottish Conservation Bureau
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh EH9 1SH
UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 668 8638
Fax: +44 (0)131 668 8669
E-mail: Scottish Conservation Bureau
Introduction
There are special problems associated with the provision of access for visitors with disabilities at historic buildings and ancient monuments that are open to the public. A balance must be struck between accessibility and the preservation of the character of the site. Accessibility should not threaten or destroy features and materials that convey the property's significance. In order to achieve the greatest possible level of accessibility, imaginative solutions must be sought which incorporate an integrated review of access and which do not diminish the value of the monument. In the end, however, physical access may not always be possible. However, in the assessment or management of a building or site in respect of access, it is important to recognise that disabled people have a right to expect, where possible, dignified and easy access to and within historic buildings and sites.
The provision of accessible visitor facilities such as shops and toilets has been found to be an important factor in enhancing the attraction of properties to visitors with disabilities. The majority of visitors with disabilities require facilities which can also have advantages for able bodied visitors and can be an added attraction to other visitors who would generally not be classified as "disabled".
With the emergence of anti-discrimination legislation the issue of access becomes increasingly more important. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 states that where a physical feature of a property or site makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to make use of a service it is the duty of the service provider to take appropriate action overcome the access difficulty. The Act, however, recognises that there will be circumstances where it will be impossible or unreasonable to provide access, due to excessive expenditure or the need to radically alter the nature of the building. Clause 21 of the Act ensures that listed buildings and scheduled monuments will continue to be protected by existing legislation which requires anyone wishing to undertake works (of any nature) to obtain specific consent. It will not be possible for that protection to be overruled in favour of allowing access for disabled people where that would compromise a building's special interest. However, under normal circumstances not directly concerned with listed buildings or scheduled monuments, it is the duty of the service provider to initiate appropriate action to:
• remove the feature;
• alter it so that it no longer has that effect;
• provide a reasonable means of avoiding the feature;
• provide a reasonable alternative method of making the service in question available to disabled persons.
In response, this Technical Advice Note provides an introduction to disability awareness issues, details of the problems likely to confront visitors using wheelchairs at different types of historic sites and possible solutions to them. Indicative design guidance has been included for improving accessibility. References are given in the text and in the appendices where more specific advice and specifications can be obtained.
A range of different types of historic sites was surveyed to provide the information included in this Note, each with varying degrees of access for visitors with disabilities. Each visitor has a different individual degree of mobility. Similarly, every historic building is different and no technical advice can cover every problem that may be encountered. To enable possible problems to be identified, a site assessment methodology has been given, based on the method used at the sites surveyed.
This Note shows how a compromise may be reached to provide universal access while maintaining the integrity of historic properties. It summarises the physical needs and priorities of visitors with disabilities with respect to access to properties where the primary objective is preservation and conservation.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Site management and disability awareness issues
2.1 Definition of a visitor with disabilities
2.2 Disability awareness training
2.3 Disability awareness
2.4 Staff attitude and maintenance of tour routes
2.5 Capabilities of wheelchair users
2.6 Emergency escape
3. Summary of restrictions and problems likely to be encountered by visitors using mobility aids at historic buildings and ancient monuments
3.1 Arrival and site access
3.1.1 Car parking and setting down points
3.1.2 Site entrance and entrance gates 3.2 Surface finishes
3.3 Changes in level
3.4 Physical features
3.5 Lack of site information
3.6 Site facilities
3.7 Staff awareness
4. Improving accessibility
4.1 General considerations
4.2 Historic fabric
4.3 Fixtures and fittings
4.4 Furniture and equipment
4.5 Site assessment
5. Arrival and site access
5.1 Car parking and setting down points
5.2 Entrance gates
6. Surfaces and surface finishes
6.1 Selection of surfaces
6.2 Weather conditions and surface maintenance
6.3 Key to abbreviations used in the surface matrix
7. Changes in level
7.1 Mechanical devices
7.2 Passenger lifts
7.3 Stair lifts
7.4 Platform lifts
7.5 Ramps and handrails
7.5.1 Permanent installations
7.5.2 Temporary installations
8. Physical features
9. Site information, signposting and route marking
9.1 Direction signposts
9.2 Tactile information
9.3 Information boards
9.4 Schedule of colour contrast
9.5 Indicating facilities for visitors with disabilities
10. Site facilities
10.1 Toilets
10.2 Layout of site shops and sales points
10.2.1 Visitor centres and exhibitions
11. Alternative methods of providing access
11.1 Tape tours
11.2 Guide books
11.3 Computer displays
11.4 Virtual reality / 3D Video
11.5 Tactile tours
11.6 Provide wheelchairs or courtesy car
11.7 Volunteers
12. Site assessment methodology
12.1 What are mapping exercises and movement studies and why should they be carried out?
12.2 Who should carry out these studies?
12.3 How to carry out a mapping exercise or movement study
12.3.1 Preparation
12.3.2 Checklists
12.3.3 Plans
12.3.4 Equipment
12.4 The success of the study
12.5 Use of results
12.6 Cost of improvements
13. Appendices
Appendix 1: Pro-forma for mapping exercises
Appendix 2: Huntly Castle movement study
Appendix 3: Useful addresses
Appendix 4: Access and discrimination legislation
Appendix 5: Spatial requirements to maximise independence
Appendix 6: Site facilities
14. Bibliography
Copies of this book are available through the Scottish Conservation Bureau of Historic Scotland at:
Historic Scotland
Technical Conservation, Research and Education Division
Scottish Conservation Bureau
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh EH9 1SH
UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 668 8638
Fax: +44 (0)131 668 8669
E-mail: Scottish Conservation Bureau
Prices, order forms and information on other Historic Scotland publications can be obtained from the above address or on the Historic Scotland web site at: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/
For further information contact Maureen Young at m.young@rgu.ac.uk
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