Section 25 of the Disability Act requires public bodies to make their premises accessible by 2015
Do you know that Public Bodies must make the public areas of their public buildings accessible to people with Disabilities by the end of 2015. Section 25 (1) of the Disability Act requires that "a public body shall ensure that its public buildings are, as far as practicable, accessible to persons with disabilities".
Section 25 (3) (a) of the Act states "Buildings, which are public buildings on the commencement of this section or which become public buildings after such commencement, shall be brought into compliance with Part M 2000 (unless the building is already required to be so compliant) not later than 31 December 2015".
It is also important to recognise that section 25 (3) (b) of the Act requires that Public buildings shall be brought into compliance with any amendment of Part M made after such commencement not later than 10 years after the commencement of the amendment. That means Public Bodies have until the end of 2022 to bring their buildings in line with the requirements of Part M 2010 which came into operation on 1st January 2012. This could have implications on the overall design of signage, visual contrast, lighting, the provision of hearing enhancement, circulation, entrances, WC design within existing buildings.
If you would like further information on how to make the public areas of your buildings accessible or Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected]
