"Houses ought not to be built for particular occupants or specific uses, but be designed to meet the needs of those who occupy it at a given time" Gann 2002"

A range of research suggests that property professionals, including developers, architects, surveyors, construction and site management, and estate and property agents have little or no knowledge of disabled people and their design needs.

In short, a developer's definitions of disability and disabled people disclosed a limited notion of what disability is or alternatively, resulted in a broad based conception relating to an exclusive set of usually, mobility impairments.

Housebuilder's are no exception in referring to disability in reductive or partial terms, although the often simple measures needed to incorporate independent access in residential development need not be expensive, particularly if embraced at a sufficiently early stage during the design process.

It is worth noting that there are a number of (individuals, professional and development / contracting organisations) albeit a minority, that feel the UK construction industry is ignorant of and unresponsive to, disabled people and that this industry is unlikely to provide for people with disabilities unless regulated by the government.

Developers, housebuilder's and property professionals need to re-educate themselves on behalf of the entire sector due to the obvious detriment afforded by the preconception that their captive markets consist only of a homogenous group of self-reliant and independent consumers. Smart technologies, while not a panacea in eradicating all aspects of poor design, are a potential source for increased levels of physical independence in the home.

Typical issues that remain of concern to those within the industry, include;

• Developer's, housebuilder's and contractor's attitudes towards and understanding of, the housing needs and aspirations of disabled people



• The distinct lack of interpretations and understanding of Part M



• The impact of the regulation on the design of house types



• Developer's, housebuilder's and contractor's adverse effects on unit production costs



• Lack of defined markets due to limited sources of detailed research



• Relevance of BS 8300:2001 in addressing the design needs of disabled people