Accessibility issues for heritage properties : a frame of mind?
Plimmer, Frances, Gaye Potiinger and Brian Goodall
This paper reports on the UK governmentts policy to extend rights of access to those who are disabledd as a vehicle for social inclusion. Recent (2004) legislation requires all service providerss to ensure that, as far as is reasonable, their services are accessible to those who are disabledd, either by altering their organisational procedures or by physically adapting the premises in which the services are provided. Physical adaptation of heritage properties poses particular problems for both the heritage industry and for their professional advisers, because often it is their historical design and physical characteristics which give the properties their heritage status, and because there is strong resistance to physical adaptation of a irreplaceable structure which is evident both from conservation groups and from planning legislation. In addition, the range of disabilities which are to be catered for can mean that potential solutions are contradictory. This paper reports on the UK governmentts response to this dilemma, the response of the heritage industry, and of disabled groups, together with examples of good practice.
Event: XXIII International FIG Congress : Shaping the change
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