What do folks think about having to install ramps in new builds to give access to disabled folk?
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What do folks think about having to install ramps in new builds to give access to disabled folk?
Why wouldn't you?
Basic common sense aint it? As C3 said, should of happened years ago
They dont only give access to disabled people, but they are ideal for families too, especially if you have pushchairs and prams with babies and toddlers in. They are very good if you are carrying heavy bags of shopping you do not have to worry about steps, especially in the dark.
If its your house you should be able to do whatever you want. Within reason.
I'm pretty sure it's been compulsory for some time now, at least 6 or 7 years. I delivered plumbing supplies to new builds all over the County up to 2006, and i'm pretty certain that disabled access ramps were required by law at least a couple of years proir to 2006 when i left that job. They were certainly incorporated into the design of most new builds that i can remember delivering to around then.
You are right there Gizmo, we moved into a new property in Perthshire in 2002 and the builders had been putting them in for 2 years then.
When we built our house just over five years ago we had to have a disabled ramp and the doorways had to be a certain width to allow wheelchair access, I think the bathroom had to be a certain way as well to allow a wheelchair to get in and be able to turn around. Wasn't that much of a big deal really.
Ramps are great and they don't have to be obvious. I had one in my last house that was rather in your face but in this house it's so well hidden that people dont even notice it's there. Very handy for all sorts of reasons (pushchairs, wheelchairs and don't forget moving in/out)
I presume it can only be a £ saver for the council for future owners/tenents that way no pay out for disabled grants for said ramps, they aint daft are they.
Yup, should have been part of building regs donkeys years ago.
Imagine how many people have spent many happy years in a property only to be forced out when they become disabled because of something as basic as lack of access to to aproperty or bathroom? Could have saved the taxpayers millions over the years, too.
I totally agree, I can't honestly think why I should have to go to the time and expense of installing such a ramp in my own house. If, and god forbid it happens I would get someone to build a ramp for access if me or a member of my family becomes disabled and I wanted them to access my house.
The decision to have a ramp, or any other facility for that matter (not necessarily disability related) should be down to the person building and paying for the initial build.
Far, far too much 'Big Nanny State' requirements being forced upon individuals in this country. If situations change in the future, for the builder or their friends or relations, mobility or health wise,then it should be up to them to pay for reperations or changes as required.
What next: compulsory prayer mats in case a Muslim oriented person happens by, or brail on the light switches, or seperate male and female toilets in case any possible visitor is embarrased or feels in the slightest put out?
Long past time that things got back to basics and let people be responsible for their own circumstances.
It would cost less than half the price to install a disabled entrance in a new build than to come back and do it later and in some cases probably less than that.
In the old days, we built our houses on the ground - not 4 foot high timber framed things that will not last. So we had no need for ramps if your door is at ground level
Please excuse my ignorance here.......
But, would this council rule apply to a double-story, new-build, house? ie - how would a disabled person access the first floor ?
Or would this mean that any new builds would also have to incorporate stair-lifts as part of the build?
P/S - I am not, by any means, against said ramps and such, but as another orger mentioned, at the end of the day this is your home and your personal investment, probably the biggest one of your/your families life - if, at the time of building, you are blessed not to have a family member with such requirements, then why should you be made to install items to access same?
I think the rule came in mid-2000. We moved into our new build early 2000 and didn't need a ramp. A friend started building about that time and needed one. When it first came in, quite a few people built a temporary ramp which they then removed after getting their completion certificate. This loophole was quickly removed and all ramps needed to be permanent.
Slightly off thread but was in Thurso today and the better half had to go. went down to the bogs by the river to use the toilets and the disabled door toilet read along these lines " Key available from Tourist Information Office" Office was shut!! Thankfully the missus isnt disabled!
You are correct in the fact that all extras should be budgeted into the initial price and in private places individuals should be responsible for same.
But in Public places, and I don't know what your thoughts are on those, most of the Western World do have brail on light switches and elevators buttons, male and female toilets, ramps and lifts for the disabled, and I am sure that this will cause some 'grief'...A seperate toilet for Trans sexual/transgendered etc etc people! Methinks if it is classified as Public then it should be accessible to the Public, all of us/them.
Welcome to the Real World!
Valid point. But why pick on private houses?
As you've said Sandy, I honestly believe that the "New Build must have access via ramps etc." is a complete cop-out by the Council !!!
I'd hate to see any disabled body being discriminated against...but, as others have commented on this thread... where do you stop ?
I'll stick by my post on here, if I were ever in the position to build a new home, then I would definetley say that, " I'm paying a massive ammount of my own personal monies and I certainly do not need someone telling me how my home should be made to accept disabled people if I do not want that!!" (God forbid - if I were to be in such circumstances - then it would be up to me to arrange access for said people !)
If said "Council" wishes "MY" home to be built to their standards - then they can pay for it !! [evil]
Having just built our own house and had to put the disabled access ramp thing i think it is awfull as the only place it could go is at the front off our house and it looks rubbish, I think our house would look much better without it! Neither my partner or I need it for wheelchair access or prams etc so I was a pointless and very expensive task!!! I think it should have been our choice as to whether it went there or not!! An if at a later date we needed it it could have been added then. Ok rant over :)