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‘Architects should try out buildings they’ve designed in wheelchairs.’ David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, praised the novel suggestion at the Accessibility in Housing event hosted by Papworth Trust at The Møller Centre, Cambridge last night (16 March).
Papworth Trust had challenged housing professionals to come up with a big idea that would make communities more accessible for disabled people. The ideas were then judged by David Orr and shared with the audience. The prize for the best idea stated: ‘Architects should spend their time designing wheelchair accessible homes in a wheelchair’.
David Orr encouraged the sector to think about putting ideas into action. He stated: “There has been a failure of imagination among the sector. Now is the time to change. The recession provides us with an opportunity to think differently and develop inclusive communities. Papworth Trust gets it – they have the ideas and have acted upon them.”
On the platform, David Orr was joined by Nick Parkinson, design director, Hill Partnership, Martin Sabry, founder and senior partner, aIDEAS and Adrian Bagg, chief executive, Papworth Trust.
Paul McCay, director of housing and personal support says: “We believe inclusive design contributes towards inclusive communities. Inclusive communities are much more than building for special needs. It allows people to have the freedom and choice of where they live and equal access to the community in which they live in.”
The event debated the latest issues including how housing professionals will need to take stock during the recession. The Foundations for Living project in Huntingdon, which has won several
national awards, was highlighted at the event as a good model of best practice.
You can see all of the ideas from the evening, by clicking here.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
About Papworth Trust:
Each year the Papworth Trust helps over 13,000 disabled people in the East of England and the UK through a wide range of services covering employment, vocational rehabilitation, housing and
community support.
In using the term “disabled” we mean anyone who has a long-term health issue, learning difficulty, physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health issue or a combination of these
or other impairments. We also mean anyone of any age.
The Trust also works with the Government, employers, service providers and commissioners to promote disability equality and good practice.
For further information and media opportunities, please contact:
Revonnia Gwewera, Gold Award Officer, Papworth Trust
T: 01480 357200
F: 01480 357201
E: revonnia.gwewera@papworth.org.uk
Papworth Trust
Bernard Sunley Centre
Papworth Everard
Cambridge
CB23 3RG
T: 01480 357200
F: 01480 357201
Helpdesk: 0800 952 5000
E: info@papworth.org.uk
www.papworth.org.uk
www.papworth.org.uk/jobs.php
Charity no. 211234
Please note that The Papworth Trust is an independent disability charity and is unconnected with the Papworth Hospital NHS Trust.
treborc
Commented 151 weeks ago
I had an accident in 1990 left me in a wheelchair, the council house I lived in had one toilet upstairs, so the council moved me to a housing association new project a disabled bungalow, I was informed the door ways were larger for wheelchair it has been designed to meet the needs of the disabled person, who would use a wheelchair. I was taken to the building and asked why do we have a step, they said to stop flooding, yes but how do I now get in, they said a ramp, but of course the ramp was refused on grounds people can trip on it. So in we go, the hall way was so small I could not turn my wheelchair around, so you have to go into a room to turn around, we were advised it was costs. Then while they were with me I broke two fingers going into a room, the door ways were in fact standard normal every day door ways. I asked are these houses for the disabled yes he said, then why the hell is the kitchen and taps above my head, why do we have a normal bathroom why are the light switches so high. These were were told were designed for the disabled, why the hell did they not ask somebody with a disability.