an article by Clara Greed (University of West of England, UK) published in The Sociological Review Volume 67 Issue 4 (July 2019)
Abstract
The trend towards desegregated women’s and men’s toilets, including installing Gender Neutral Toilets (GNTs), and the implications of revisions to the Gender Recognition Act for women-only spaces, have brought into focus the pre-existing lack of female toilet provision in the UK.
Looking at the problem from a town planning perspective, I argue that austerity-driven cuts are coming together with GNT provision to reshape the public toilet landscape in ways that continue to be detrimental to women. Typically women are only provided with half as many facilities as men, resulting in queues for the Ladies, and GNT provision based on relabelling rather than redesigned or additional provision can, in fact, increase competition for the cubicles in the Ladies.
The historical, legislative and cultural reasons for this inequality are explored, along with the different types of public toilet and the different requirements of male and female users.
The article draws on previous research project findings, many of which foreshadow the problems currently coming to the fore as a result of toilet desegregation.
In conclusion, recommendations are made as to how to deal with the conundrum of providing adequate facilities for all women and men, whilst providing all sorts of individuals with choice and privacy to create inclusive, accessible cities for all.
Showing posts with label accessibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accessibility. Show all posts
Monday, 29 July 2019
Friday, 28 June 2019
Planning for healthy ageing: how the use of third places contributes to the social health of older populations
an artgicle by Sara Alidoust (Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia) and Caryl Bosman and Gordon Holden (Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia) published in Ageing & Society Volume 39 Issue 7 (July 2019)
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on creating age-friendly cities to accommodate the changing needs of older people and to promote their overall health and wellbeing.
This paper focuses on some of the urban planning implications related to maintaining the social health, as a main component of overall health and wellbeing, of older people. Specifically, we look at the role and accessibility of third places (popular public places where many people go to socialise) in relation to older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns, and how these factors impact on the formation of absent, weak and strong social ties.
The data draw upon interviews with 54 older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Our findings demonstrate the significant role third places have in affording older people opportunities to engage in the social lives of their local communities, thus contributing to their social health and overall wellbeing.
This research supports previous studies relating to the accessibility of amenities by re-emphasising the importance of planning for the provision of third places that are conveniently located and easily accessible by older people.
The paper concludes by arguing for the planning of transport and third-place interventions in Australia's sprawling suburban landscapes to allow older people more opportunities to be socially connected.
Hazel’s comment:
I can relate to this. I can no longer get a bus that takes me to the public library so I rarely, if ever, visit it.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on creating age-friendly cities to accommodate the changing needs of older people and to promote their overall health and wellbeing.
This paper focuses on some of the urban planning implications related to maintaining the social health, as a main component of overall health and wellbeing, of older people. Specifically, we look at the role and accessibility of third places (popular public places where many people go to socialise) in relation to older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns, and how these factors impact on the formation of absent, weak and strong social ties.
The data draw upon interviews with 54 older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Our findings demonstrate the significant role third places have in affording older people opportunities to engage in the social lives of their local communities, thus contributing to their social health and overall wellbeing.
This research supports previous studies relating to the accessibility of amenities by re-emphasising the importance of planning for the provision of third places that are conveniently located and easily accessible by older people.
The paper concludes by arguing for the planning of transport and third-place interventions in Australia's sprawling suburban landscapes to allow older people more opportunities to be socially connected.
Hazel’s comment:
I can relate to this. I can no longer get a bus that takes me to the public library so I rarely, if ever, visit it.
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
New online travel guide opens up UK attractions for accessible travel
an article by Tristram Parker in E-ACCESS BULLETIN
A comprehensive publication detailing access facilities at venues and attractions across the UK has been released digitally by travel guides company Rough Guides and made available for free.
‘The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain’ aims to help people with a range of access requirements plans trips around the UK. The newly updated seventh version of the guide features specific information for people with autism and cognitive conditions.
A wide variety of attractions, sights and cultural hotspots around Britain are covered in over 180 reviews, including museums and galleries, coastal trails, sports and activities centres, animal sanctuaries and zoos, markets and historical landmarks. The guide states that every venue has been reviewed by a team of writers who either have a disability or have visited the venue with someone who has a disability.
Reviews feature a summary of each venue and its highlights, and as the guide’s introduction explains, each review also includes “details about facilities for disabled visitors, plus ideas for places to eat on site or nearby”. Separate ‘town reviews’ explore access and attractions in different UK regions.
Venue facilities are flagged up, including facilities for those with mobility impairments, facilities for people who are blind or visually impaired, wheelchair access, guide dog access, accessible toilets and BSL (British Sign Language) interpreters.
The authors also worked with specialist organisations, including the National Autistic Society, to highlight features for people with autism and cognitive conditions, such as quiet spaces and ‘sensory stories’ for children.
‘The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain’ is available to view or download for free at Motability.co.uk, a vehicle and wheelchair lease scheme for people with disabilities.
A comprehensive publication detailing access facilities at venues and attractions across the UK has been released digitally by travel guides company Rough Guides and made available for free.
‘The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain’ aims to help people with a range of access requirements plans trips around the UK. The newly updated seventh version of the guide features specific information for people with autism and cognitive conditions.
A wide variety of attractions, sights and cultural hotspots around Britain are covered in over 180 reviews, including museums and galleries, coastal trails, sports and activities centres, animal sanctuaries and zoos, markets and historical landmarks. The guide states that every venue has been reviewed by a team of writers who either have a disability or have visited the venue with someone who has a disability.
Reviews feature a summary of each venue and its highlights, and as the guide’s introduction explains, each review also includes “details about facilities for disabled visitors, plus ideas for places to eat on site or nearby”. Separate ‘town reviews’ explore access and attractions in different UK regions.
Venue facilities are flagged up, including facilities for those with mobility impairments, facilities for people who are blind or visually impaired, wheelchair access, guide dog access, accessible toilets and BSL (British Sign Language) interpreters.
The authors also worked with specialist organisations, including the National Autistic Society, to highlight features for people with autism and cognitive conditions, such as quiet spaces and ‘sensory stories’ for children.
‘The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain’ is available to view or download for free at Motability.co.uk, a vehicle and wheelchair lease scheme for people with disabilities.
Sunday, 7 January 2018
New online platform aims to be a game-changer for accessible ICT
via e-Access Bulletin (November 2017)
An accessibility resources platform that claims to be “the first of its kind in the world” has been launched.
DeveloperSpace aims to be a comprehensive portal for information on inclusive digital content and systems, for a wide-ranging audience. Although primarily aimed at developers, designers and anyone building digital systems or content, the site has been created to foster collaboration between different industries and disciplines, in the hope of creating and sharing what the site calls ‘accessible solutions’ to ICT accessibility problems.
To identify and address these problems effectively, computer-users with a range of impairments were involved at all stages of building DeveloperSpace.
Key features of the site include an ‘Accessibility Masterlist’ (which gives information on a range of ICT accessibility features, such as alternative computer settings and audio enhancement), ‘Quicksheets’ (summaries of topics such as social media accessibility and PDF readers) and tutorials on a range of topics, such as inclusive e-publishing and accessible web games.
Other features include a question and answer forum and a ‘Challenges’ section, where people can volunteer to solve accessibility tasks, sometimes for prize money or funding. One challenge is based around improving a ‘photosensitive seizure tool’ (which detects flashing web content that could cause seizures in some users) so that it can be released as open source, carrying a reward of $10,000.
DeveloperSpace was created as the main outcome of the European Commission-funded Prosperity4All project and is part of the Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII), both of which aim to drive forward inclusive technology development and access to these technologies.
Gregg Vanderheiden – Prosperity4All’s Technical Coordinator and Director and Professor of the Trace R&D Center at the University of Maryland – told e-Access Bulletin that as well as providing key resources, another aim of DeveloperSpace is to collate knowledge and ideas from across the board. He said: “A goal is to bring together input from consumers and all members of a development team – specialists, testers, teachers, researchers and more – to provide individual guides about particular aspects of the site that may be helpful to them.”
Speaking about what makes the platform the ‘first of its kind in the world,’ Vanderheiden said: “The DeveloperSpace differs from other sites in that it looks at the problem comprehensively, providing tools for all types of information and communication technologies – including anything with a digital interface.”
DeveloperSpace has already been used to help build and improve a number of accessibility projects, some of which are highlighted on the site. These include printing services for visually impaired students and a programme to create accessible video for refugees in the Netherlands.
Find out more at the DeveloperSpace website.
An accessibility resources platform that claims to be “the first of its kind in the world” has been launched.
DeveloperSpace aims to be a comprehensive portal for information on inclusive digital content and systems, for a wide-ranging audience. Although primarily aimed at developers, designers and anyone building digital systems or content, the site has been created to foster collaboration between different industries and disciplines, in the hope of creating and sharing what the site calls ‘accessible solutions’ to ICT accessibility problems.
To identify and address these problems effectively, computer-users with a range of impairments were involved at all stages of building DeveloperSpace.
Key features of the site include an ‘Accessibility Masterlist’ (which gives information on a range of ICT accessibility features, such as alternative computer settings and audio enhancement), ‘Quicksheets’ (summaries of topics such as social media accessibility and PDF readers) and tutorials on a range of topics, such as inclusive e-publishing and accessible web games.
Other features include a question and answer forum and a ‘Challenges’ section, where people can volunteer to solve accessibility tasks, sometimes for prize money or funding. One challenge is based around improving a ‘photosensitive seizure tool’ (which detects flashing web content that could cause seizures in some users) so that it can be released as open source, carrying a reward of $10,000.
DeveloperSpace was created as the main outcome of the European Commission-funded Prosperity4All project and is part of the Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII), both of which aim to drive forward inclusive technology development and access to these technologies.
Gregg Vanderheiden – Prosperity4All’s Technical Coordinator and Director and Professor of the Trace R&D Center at the University of Maryland – told e-Access Bulletin that as well as providing key resources, another aim of DeveloperSpace is to collate knowledge and ideas from across the board. He said: “A goal is to bring together input from consumers and all members of a development team – specialists, testers, teachers, researchers and more – to provide individual guides about particular aspects of the site that may be helpful to them.”
Speaking about what makes the platform the ‘first of its kind in the world,’ Vanderheiden said: “The DeveloperSpace differs from other sites in that it looks at the problem comprehensively, providing tools for all types of information and communication technologies – including anything with a digital interface.”
DeveloperSpace has already been used to help build and improve a number of accessibility projects, some of which are highlighted on the site. These include printing services for visually impaired students and a programme to create accessible video for refugees in the Netherlands.
Find out more at the DeveloperSpace website.
Monday, 10 August 2015
A qualitative evaluation of non-educational barriers to the élite professions
a report for the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission by Dr Louise Ashley (Royal Holloway University of London), Professor Jo Duberley (University of Birmingham), Professor Hilary Sommerlad (University of Birmingham) and Professor Dora Scholarios (University of Strathclyde) published in June 2015
No abstract is provided.
Overview (first section, footnotes not included)
This report sets out the findings from a qualitative study, focusing on two main areas. The first (Study A) examines the barriers to entry for people from less privileged socioeconomic backgrounds to elite law and accountancy firms, with a particular focus on London. The second (Study B) examines the barriers to entry for people from similar backgrounds to elite financial service firms (including accountancy) located in Scotland.
The study finds that despite their efforts to improve social inclusion over the past ten to fifteen years, these elite firms continue to be heavily dominated at entry level by people from more privileged socioeconomic backgrounds. This can be attributed primarily to a tendency to recruit the majority of new entrants from a narrow group of elite universities, where students are more likely to have attended selective or feepaying schools, and/or come from relatively affluent backgrounds. In addition, elite firms define ‘talent’ according to a number of factors such as drive, resilience, strong communication skills and above all confidence and ‘polish’, which participants in the research acknowledged can be mapped on to middle-class status and socialisation.
Against this backdrop, the key purpose of the study is to explore what more can be done to open access to elite professions. More generally, the study responds to evidence that the dominance of people from more privileged socioeconomic backgrounds within elite professions has become more pronounced over the past thirty years. For example, research from the Cabinet Office shows that recent generations of lawyers and accountants are more likely to come from families with significantly above-average incomes. There is also some evidence that where diverse individuals gain access to the elite professions, their subsequent career progression is affected by social background, though the extent and cause of this challenge has been under-researched to date. As we shall demonstrate, these issues seem particularly acute in the UK’s largest and most prestigious law, accountancy and financial service firms, on which this study is focused.
A key focus of the current study is on talent. Whilst talent is sometimes presented by firms as though it is an unproblematic concept, it is in fact highly ambiguous. Previous research suggests that this ambiguity is a key factor encouraging firms to rely on proxy measures of potential associated with middle-class status, thus accentuating rather than reducing, non-educational barriers to entry and, possibly, career progression. In order to explore this issue, we look here at how talent is identified and defined at entry level by organisations within the elite professions.
In addition, we also address three specific gaps in current knowledge of graduate hiring processes and practices and career progression.
No abstract is provided.
Overview (first section, footnotes not included)
This report sets out the findings from a qualitative study, focusing on two main areas. The first (Study A) examines the barriers to entry for people from less privileged socioeconomic backgrounds to elite law and accountancy firms, with a particular focus on London. The second (Study B) examines the barriers to entry for people from similar backgrounds to elite financial service firms (including accountancy) located in Scotland.
The study finds that despite their efforts to improve social inclusion over the past ten to fifteen years, these elite firms continue to be heavily dominated at entry level by people from more privileged socioeconomic backgrounds. This can be attributed primarily to a tendency to recruit the majority of new entrants from a narrow group of elite universities, where students are more likely to have attended selective or feepaying schools, and/or come from relatively affluent backgrounds. In addition, elite firms define ‘talent’ according to a number of factors such as drive, resilience, strong communication skills and above all confidence and ‘polish’, which participants in the research acknowledged can be mapped on to middle-class status and socialisation.
Against this backdrop, the key purpose of the study is to explore what more can be done to open access to elite professions. More generally, the study responds to evidence that the dominance of people from more privileged socioeconomic backgrounds within elite professions has become more pronounced over the past thirty years. For example, research from the Cabinet Office shows that recent generations of lawyers and accountants are more likely to come from families with significantly above-average incomes. There is also some evidence that where diverse individuals gain access to the elite professions, their subsequent career progression is affected by social background, though the extent and cause of this challenge has been under-researched to date. As we shall demonstrate, these issues seem particularly acute in the UK’s largest and most prestigious law, accountancy and financial service firms, on which this study is focused.
A key focus of the current study is on talent. Whilst talent is sometimes presented by firms as though it is an unproblematic concept, it is in fact highly ambiguous. Previous research suggests that this ambiguity is a key factor encouraging firms to rely on proxy measures of potential associated with middle-class status, thus accentuating rather than reducing, non-educational barriers to entry and, possibly, career progression. In order to explore this issue, we look here at how talent is identified and defined at entry level by organisations within the elite professions.
In addition, we also address three specific gaps in current knowledge of graduate hiring processes and practices and career progression.
- First, we address a lack of transparency about the precise mechanics of the recruitment and selection process, and subsequent promotion decisions. In particular, we ask what non-educational barriers to entry and progression do elite organisations construct? Who are these barriers constructed by? And at what points in the hiring process do these barriers come into play?
- Second, we examine the organisational dynamics behind a lack of diversity on the basis of social background, including factors in support of change, and in favour of the status quo. As part of this, we explore the role played by the business and moral cases for change, and discuss current best practice with respect to social inclusion initiatives.
- Third, we ask what role clients of leading firms may play in building a better case for change? Whilst elite organisations regularly claim that client expectations of their professional advisors are a barrier to diversity, there has been no independent study of the client perspective on social background to date. This is important because in other diversity strands, including gender, the client voice has arguably been important in driving forward at least some progressive change.
Monday, 4 February 2013
Elderly Needs Study Could Be First “Crowdfunded” Social Research
via E-Access Bulletin Live by Tristan Parker
A study into the consumer needs of elderly and disabled residents of a UK town could be the UK’s first piece of social research to be “crowdfunded”, E-Access Bulletin has learned.
The project was developed by the non-profit campaign group Eastbourne Designed For All, which aims to pass on advice to businesses in the Sussex town on how to design products and services to be as accessible as possible to the area's high proportion of elderly and disabled residents.
Continue reading
A study into the consumer needs of elderly and disabled residents of a UK town could be the UK’s first piece of social research to be “crowdfunded”, E-Access Bulletin has learned.
The project was developed by the non-profit campaign group Eastbourne Designed For All, which aims to pass on advice to businesses in the Sussex town on how to design products and services to be as accessible as possible to the area's high proportion of elderly and disabled residents.
Continue reading
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Lack of Interoperability “‘Is Biggest Accessibility Barrier”
via E-Access Bulletin Live by Dan Jellinek
The biggest barrier to making make the web more accessible to disabled people is interoperability, Sandi Wassmer, member of the UK government’s e-Accessibility Forum, told delegates at e-Access '11 conference in London last month.
Read the full post (HTML)
The biggest barrier to making make the web more accessible to disabled people is interoperability, Sandi Wassmer, member of the UK government’s e-Accessibility Forum, told delegates at e-Access '11 conference in London last month.
Read the full post (HTML)
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
BSI consults on first British Standard for accessible websites
A British Standard will give business owners and marketing managers new guidance for building and maintaining web content that is accessible to disabled people. A draft version of BS 8878 was released for public comment today.
Read the full article from OUT-LAW and discover that I have been holding this for three months. I am ashamed of myself. Comments were open for two months so the opportunity has passed to make any input but it is good to know that the standard is likely to be published in the summer. Let's hope that not only do web developers and website managers adhere to the standards but that someone, somewhere, somehow actually makes sure that, at the very least, public sector information services are accessible to all.
Read the full article from OUT-LAW and discover that I have been holding this for three months. I am ashamed of myself. Comments were open for two months so the opportunity has passed to make any input but it is good to know that the standard is likely to be published in the summer. Let's hope that not only do web developers and website managers adhere to the standards but that someone, somewhere, somehow actually makes sure that, at the very least, public sector information services are accessible to all.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Blind People need not apply, the truth about online accessibility discrimination
via Onrec.com - United Kingdom headlines on 8 April
A lot has been said lately about the Disability Discrimination Act and whether or not your website is illegal.
Read more >>
Hazel's comment:
The truth is, as I'm sure many of you are aware, that there are more websites that do not comply with accessibility legislation than do.
And there are many that do not include the required company information.
A lot has been said lately about the Disability Discrimination Act and whether or not your website is illegal.
Read more >>
Hazel's comment:
The truth is, as I'm sure many of you are aware, that there are more websites that do not comply with accessibility legislation than do.
And there are many that do not include the required company information.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Guild of Accessible Web Designers
from Intute: science, engineering & technology blog
This website contains articles and tips about accessible web design. It also lists tools and utilities and has links to external resources.
It is produced by GAWDS - a world-wide association of organisations and accessible web designers and developers. Details of how to join GAWDS is also provided.
I've just read a piece on how to get more people to read your blog and one of the tips is: "always include original thought and don't simply link to other people's ideas".
Oops! Is that what I'm doing wrong? Not an original thought in my head -- just keep cribbing from other people!
Tell me, please, that I'm doing something right.
This website contains articles and tips about accessible web design. It also lists tools and utilities and has links to external resources.
It is produced by GAWDS - a world-wide association of organisations and accessible web designers and developers. Details of how to join GAWDS is also provided.
I've just read a piece on how to get more people to read your blog and one of the tips is: "always include original thought and don't simply link to other people's ideas".
Oops! Is that what I'm doing wrong? Not an original thought in my head -- just keep cribbing from other people!
Tell me, please, that I'm doing something right.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
All UK government websites must be WCAG AA compliant
Brian Kelly at UK Web Focus (13 October) explains why he believes, along with a number of other experts in the field, that the requirement to comply with the WCAG Guidelines is inappropriate.
A well-thought-out argument that makes sense. Please read and comment back to Brian if appropriate.
The UK Government has published a Public consultation on Delivering Inclusive Websites document (TG102). This document (available in MS Word and PDF formats) states that all government Web sites must comply with the WCAG AA guidelines by December 2008. And failure to comply will result in the withdrawal of the .gov.uk domain. Great, you may think. At last the Government is doing something positive for people with disabilities. I would disagree - I think this is a flawed approach for several reasons.
A well-thought-out argument that makes sense. Please read and comment back to Brian if appropriate.
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