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This new edition of 'Designing for Accessibility' is an up-to-date and user-friendly good practice guide based on the 2004 Approved Document M and BS 8300:2001, in the context of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (the DDA). It includes extensive plans and dimensional data illustrating internal and external features that commonly need attention in public buildings.

The design recommendations occasionally go beyond those specified in Part M and BS8300, reflecting good practice derived from the disability experience, good design and, where possible, empirical research.

The DDA introduced new measures aimed at ending the discrimination which many disabled people face. The main thrust of the legislation is to improve access to employment and services for disabled people. While the DDA does not directly require accessible environments to be provided either in their place of work or for access to goods, facilities, or services, duties under the Act include the requirement to consider barriers created by physical features of buildings and to make adjustments in certain circumstances.

'Designing for Accessibility' is about helping to achieve good practice and is a major step forward in providing practical advice and guidance to service providers who are seeking to fulfil their duties under the DDA. It will also prove to be an invaluable aid to those responsible for the development of the built environment and those who use it including architects, designers, facilities managers, and a range of consumers (including disabled people).'

Designing for Accessibility' is part of a new generation of design guides that are to be jointly published by the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) and RIBA Enterprises (the publishing arm of the Royal Institute of British Architects).