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Contents:
We welcome Part M proposals
New addition to the family
Moveman to the rescue!
Diamond Geezers!
In the News |
Editors Welcome
This is the eleventh issue of our Stepping Out Newsletter, but the first to be circulated in eZine format. We hope you find it both interesting and informative. Our objective is to provide technical and legislative guidance on disabled access. Previously, we have looked at the Disability Discrimination Act, Part M of the UK Building Regulations, the Care Standards Act, the importance of CE marking and BS 8300, the new code of practice giving guidance on good practice in the design of domestic and non domestic buildings so they are convenient to use by the less able.
We also show readers how others are using our platform lifts to ensure equality of access to their premises and services.
Much of the content of this eZine is featured on our web site, so here we are only giving you a feel for the material. If you click on the >>more link at the end of the piece it will take you to the full story on our web site.
Back issues of Stepping Out can be found in the Stepping Out index section of our web site.We hope that you enjoy our eZine. Any comments or suggestions you have would be very welcome. If you have a colleague that you would like to be added to our circulation list please follow the link. Likewise if you no longer wish to receive this eZine follow the unsubscribe link.
We look forward to speaking to you again soon.
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Part M proposals
Apart from the Disability Discrimination Act, one of the most covered topics in the first ten editions of Stepping Out has been Part M, the section of the UK building regulations, which sets down minimum standards for disabled access in the built environment.
A couple of issues ago, we reported that we believed that Part M was out of step with other legislation and standards. As such we welcomed the Government’s decision to order a far reaching review. Recommendations, resulting from the review process, have now been made public. In this article, we will look at the proposed amendments effecting the choice and design of platform lifts.
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SUBSCRIBE
If you had this eZine forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe clickhere. You will receive an email confirming your addition to the circulation list.
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New Platform lift for external applications
 The Companion Extreme is the latest addition to our comprehensive Companion platform lift range.
It is specifically designed for low rise, outdoor applications, being manufactured from weatherproof material throughout. All the structural components are fabricated from a combination hot dip galvanised or powder coated steel and the motor casing and lifting platform are finished in salt water resistant aluminium. The upper and lower access gates are moulded from impact resistant plastic.
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Burning issue
We recently installed Companion Prestige platform lifts in two buildings operated by the Cleveland Fire Brigade.
The new lifts were specified as part of the Brigade’s policy to provide services, which fully comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
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CONTACT:
Moveman
123 Abbey Lane
Leicester
LE4 5QZ
Tel; 0116 225 2100
Fax: 0116 261 0397
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Diamond Geezers!
As 2003 is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, it seems appropriate that we should feature its exceptional work in this issue of Stepping Out.
The FSNBF was originally established during World War Two to help the widows and orphans of the members of the Auxiliary and National Fire Services who lost their lives in the daily battle to save lives, homes and businesses. Thankfully, today, although fire fighting and rescue work is inherently dangerous, accidents and fatalities are less commonplace. Firefighters do, however, still face physical and physiological problems as a result of their work.
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In the News...
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Researchers have been given £200,000 to investigate how public toilets in UK cities can be improved. The study will look at how they can be made more accessible. Professor Clara Greed, a researcher in the faculty of the built environment at the University of the West of England says, "Local authorities should bring toilets up to standard to meet new disabled access requirements."
The Guardian - 31st July
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Government plans to make official websites accessible by anyone could be hit by a cash shortfall. In late July the UK Government released detailed specifications spelling out what official webmasters must do to make net sites usable by everyone. The cost of making the changes could mean that few sites become more usable.
News.bbc.co.uk - 4th Aug
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The chairman of Nottingham Building Society was touched by the work of a city school for children with severe learning difficulties...So much so that he set up a charity to help similar children throughout the county who don't have access to such good care. And yesterday, FunDays in Nottinghamshire held the first of what it is hoped will be many events to put a smile back on the face of deserving kids.
Nottingham Evening Post - 25th July
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