Services > Accessibility
Accessibility
Making outdoor life easier
Garden layout can make a real difference to how anyone who is elderly, has a bad back, disabled or has a disability that makes bending difficult or uses a wheelchair enjoys the outdoors.
Some things that you should consider are:-
- Raised beds
- Paths
- Ramps & Steps
- Handrails
- Benches
Raised beds
Raised beds are essentially containers of various sizes that bring the planting area off the ground, which can make digging, weeding and planting easier.
Paths
Any path that is constructed for wheelchair access must consider the material used and the size needed to comfortably enable a wheelchair user to gain access and for others to pass easily. Not only that there needs to be enough room along the path for the user to turn around.
Ramps
A properly constructed ramp gives a disabled person access to and from any area they might otherwise have difficulty going to. When you are building a wheelchair ramp, there are minimum specifications that must be satisfied which Elitescapes can advise you of.
Steps
There will be occasions when some elderly and disabled people who are not wheelchair users who may find ramps difficult to use and may prefer to use steps, in which case a ramp should always be associated with steps.
Handrails
In addition to paths and ramps consideration should be given to handrails which will enable disabled or elderly people the ability to hold on and take their time to get around.
Benches
Many people who want to enjoy outside spaces will need to take regular breaks, and well spaced out wooden benches will enable them to take that much needed rest and are an attractive addition.
Non slip surfaces
The nature of the composite material that is used means that it is naturally non slip.
The Law
Under the Disability Discrimination Act, all businesses that provide 'goods and must make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled people, such as offering extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services. What is 'reasonable' dependson a range of factors, including the size and type of your business.
See our accessibility case study here.
