2. Environment
2.2 Physical Spaces
Action 2.2A Embed accessibility and universal design in procurement criteria for new buildings and physical spaces.
Guidance
To ensure that new buildings and upgraded physical spaces your organisation develops are functional and usable by all staff, it is important to embed accessibility and universal design as core criteria in procurement processes.
“Try to include Universal Design principles where possible; when a building is generally accessible it means less people have to formally disclose. Engage with accessibility or sensory environment audits and commit to resulting actions.”
WIDE Consultation Participant – Employer
To ensure that procurement processes are inclusive and accessible, it is essential to embed universal design and accessibility criteria at every stage. This involves prioritising suppliers and contractors who showcase a commitment to accessibility standards and universal design in the built environment, and who can demonstrate the requisite technical knowledge, skills, and experience of embedding universal design in their offering. Here are some steps to consider achieving this:
- Embed Universal Design and Accessibility Criteria– Incorporate universal design principles and specific accessibility criteria into all procurement and purchasing processes. This means including accessibility/universal design as a formal part of the scoring criteria for all tenders and specifying strict requirements for accessibility in tender documents and contracts. It is useful to consider including relevant and specific accessibility and universal design standards to be met within the tender, such as ISO 21542:2021 Building Construction (see resources for relevant standards to consider in a variety of goods and services). It is also useful to build in consultation with disabled staff members on proposed designs as part of the proposed design process where possible.
- Prioritise Contractors with UD Experience– Give preference to suppliers who actively showcase and refer to accessibility and universal design in their practices. When evaluating potential suppliers, consider their track record at embedding and commitment to accessibility. This can be assessed through their policies, previous projects, and customer feedback. Prioritising such suppliers not only ensures compliance with accessibility standards but also promotes a culture of inclusion.
- Request Vendor Evidence of Competence– Ask suppliers to provide evidence of their competence in designing and delivering accessible and universally designed spaces. This can include certifications, case studies, references, and site visits with disabled staff members to previous projects. By requiring this evidence, you can ensure that the contractors you work with can deliver on their accessible design commitments.
- Include User Feedback in the Project Sign Off Stage – it’s useful to include an element of user testing of a building/physical space by disabled people/staff members to ensure accessibility and functional use before the project passes the snagging stage and is signed off as complete.
By embedding universal design and accessibility criteria/standards in procurement, purchasing, and project sign off processes, your organisation can ensure that all physical spaces are inclusive and accessible, supporting a more diverse and equitable workplace.
“We don’t have to report to the NDA, but we align ourselves with the (building/universal design) standards.”
WIDE Consultation Participate – Employer
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