Sport England has produced new guidance to help ensure sports and leisure facilities are safe, welcoming and accessible.
Aimed at planners, architects, building owners and operators, the Accessible and Inclusive Sports Facilities (AISF) guidance encourages the design of spaces that reduce or remove barriers to being more active.
That includes creating and maintaining facilities that are accessible to disabled people and meet the needs of our vibrant and diverse communities, such as those related to faith, sex, sexuality and gender identity.
While the guidance seeks to ensure new and existing sports facilities meet the Equality Act (2010) requirements, it also promotes a proactive approach to identifying community needs and removing potential barriers, rather than solely meeting minimum statutory standards. It draws upon recognised best practice examples for accessibility and wider inclusion, and aims to increase awareness and use of these inclusive design principles:
We are placing people at the heart of the design process to reflect the community's needs.
Acknowledging diversity and difference helps make everyone feel welcome, safe and without anxiety.
Offering choices where a single design solution cannot accommodate all users.
Providing flexibility in use.
Providing convenient and enjoyable environments for everyone to use with dignity and privacy.
Read the Guidance and associated documents.
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