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"DISABLED ACCESS DAY
Disabled Access Day 2024 March 16
Disabled Access Day takes part every two years and is all about trying something new ...
In 2015 Disabled Access Day began as a day to celebrate good access and created opportunities for people to try something new. The day was about highlighting the fantastic access that already exists in places, ..."
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/disabled-access-day-2024/
To celebrate Disabled Access Day 2024, I would like to highlight the excellent work that Newmark Security is doing in this area: with automatic doors being a key part of this:-
"How do automatic doors help people with disabilities?
... Automatic doors are particularly helpful for people with disabilities. Any organisation that is serious about widening access and promoting accessibility should consider installing automatic doors.
Breaking down barriers
... People with disabilities make up a significant percentage of the population (22%) and when they are unable to access services, take part in leisure activities, shop and socialise, it’s a lost opportunity for businesses. ...
The advantages of automatic doors for disabled people
The use of automatic doors has a range of benefits for disabled people, some of them obvious, others that are less so. Automatic doors eliminate the need for manual effort to open the door. This makes it easier for people with disabilities to enter and exit a building. This is particularly important for people with mobility challenges, such as those who use wheelchairs or walkers, but also for people with other forms of disability such as autism.
Manual doors can be heavy, particularly larger doors in commercial buildings, making them almost impossible to open for some people. This is not only an issue for people with disabilities, it can also be challenging for older people. Automatic doors make it easier for a wider range of people to use your building comfortably.
Automatic doors also provide a safer operation for disabled people and other users. Doors equipped with sensors and touchless activation can be triggered without the need for physical contact, reducing the risk of germs and viruses spreading. This is particularly important in buildings such as hospitals and schools
Automatic doors can also be equipped with special features to accommodate the needs of disabled people. For example, some door operators can be programmed to operate at a slower speed, making it easier for people with mobility issues to pass through the door. Other safety elements such as audible signals can be incorporated to alert visually impaired people that the doors are open.
A key element in widening access
Promoting accessibility in your building is a comprehensive project within which automatic doors will play a key role. ..."
https://insights.safetell.co.uk/how-do-automatic-doors-help-people-with-disabilities
And quality servicing-maintenance of autodoors, as provided by Safetell, is crucial, to avoid the following sort of problem reported this week:-
"Disabled woman using commode in social housing flat due to door fault
4 days ago
By Stuart Woodward
BBC News, Essex
A disabled woman said she had used a commode toilet in her kitchen for nearly a year due to a fault in her sheltered housing flat.
Carol Aldridge says her front door in Chelmsford has an intermittent fault and opens at random times.
The 63-year-old said she positioned her wheelchair in front of the door for safety, but this prevented access to her wet room.
Her social housing landlord said it was trying to resolve the issue.
"I don't feel safe during the day or the night," said Ms Aldridge, who said she was at "breaking point".
Ms Aldridge said the fault on the door, which opens electronically, first occurred in April last year. ...
She said the noise of the door trying to open against her wheelchair, and the stress, kept her awake at night, and she said she had checked into a hotel on several occasions to get some sleep. ...
CHP said it had visited her flat on numerous occasions and the door had "always worked as it should" when they had inspected it. ..."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-68493201
"What are the current automatic door legislations that apply for powered pedestrian doors?
13 June, 2023
... Regular Maintenance & Servicing
The BS EN 16005:2012 standard emphasises the importance of proper installation by trained professionals and routine maintenance to ensure the ongoing safety and reliable operation of the doors. At Safetell, we help our clients ensure the safe and reliable operation of their automatic doors with our automatic door maintenance service. We ensure that your automatic doors operate efficiently and meet automatic door legislation requirements.
Contact our professional experienced team to find out more about automatic door installation and maintenance, and how we can help."
http://www.safetell.co.uk/insights/automatic-door-legislation/
Note that under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and the Equality Act 2010, public buildings in the UK are legally required to provide easy access for people with disabilities.
So some premises could actually potentially be breaking the law by not having automatic doors, if they have not made other reasonable adjustments to allow disabled people to enter.
And of course everyone will experience restricted mobility at some point in their lives, e.g. when they are young children or elderly.
"Importance of Customised Security Solutions: Safetell’s Approach
09 August, 2023
... Why Is a Customised Solution Necessary?
While many companies are selling ready-made security solutions, typically limited to one type of product, they aren’t always suitable for your organisation’s needs. Here’s why a bespoke security solution is the best approach for most companies: ..."
https://www.safetell.co.uk/insights/importance-of-customised-security-solutions-safetells-approach/
Safetell's bespoke-customised solutions give them an enormous advantage in combining accessibility with security, as their many highly satisfied customers can testify.
Here are some cracking examples of Safetell's outstanding work in this regard:-
"RNIB
Safety For All With Safetell
RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) is the largest community of blind and partially sighted people in the UK. As a leading sight loss charity, it was essential that their headquarters had the necessary security measures in place to protect their staff, visitors, and sensitive information.
Challenge
RNIB required a secure access control solution for their multi-tenant building that would be accessible and easy to use for all, including those with low vision. Additionally, there was a need for high colour contrast on the gates to ensure that individuals with low vision could easily distinguish the entrance.
Solution
Safetell provided RNIB with two Round Cab Speed Gates integrated with third-party access control. The Speed Gates provide an aesthetically pleasing entrance control and anti-tailgating solution for any building or secure area. To ensure easy identification of the entrance, yellow highlighting was added to the black gates to provide high colour contrast for individuals with low vision.
Outcome
The installation of Safetell’s Round Cab Speed Gates has provided RNIB with an effective and easy-to-use access control solution that ensures the safety and security of their headquarters. Additionally, the high colour contrast provided by the yellow highlighting has improved the accessibility of the entrance for individuals with low vision. Safetell’s solution has provided RNIB with peace of mind, knowing that their staff, visitors, and sensitive information are protected. ..."
http://www.safetell.co.uk/case-studies/safety-for-all-with-safetell/
"Bank
Creating Equal Access in Banks
Equality of Access is a critical issue in modern times for both new and existing buildings. Ensuring accessibility for everyone, regardless of their abilities, is an important aspect of shaping a welcoming and inclusive environment. It is particularly true for the corporate head offices of businesses that want to offer access in accordance with the Equality Act, including the Northern Bank.
This prominent banking group, with over 200 branches and four head offices, wanted to improve access at their City of Leeds head office, located in one of the busiest business districts.
Challenge
The challenge was to link their existing Access Control solution with an enhanced Swing Door Automation system, allowing for ease of access for visitors and staff while also accommodating wheelchairs and mobility devices. Safetell was tasked with finding a solution that would carry the weight of the existing entrance doors, integrate with the networked access control system without messy cabling, and provide wheelchair access in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Solution
Meeting all of these requirements wouldn’t be easy, and no off-the-shelf solution would suffice. Safetell manufactured bespoke hardware and designed an electronic interface that eliminated pre-existing conflicts with the electronic locking system. This also removed the need for additional cabling.
Outcome
The installation of the automated door system was completed by Safetell’s team of engineers, providing a forward-looking security solution that successfully combined door security and wheelchair access. The receptionist staff at the Northern Bank reported that the new doors were beneficial to their colleagues and were easy to access. The bank was delighted with the result and is considering installing ten more systems. Overall, the doors provided access with ease for everyone, enabling a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
Safetell’s innovative approach to providing access solutions not only met the Northern Bank’s requirements but also helped them create a better experience for staff and visitors. ..."
http://www.safetell.co.uk/case-studies/creating-equal-access-in-banks/
"Met Police
Safetell Strengthens Security Measures for Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police, the largest police force in the UK, has a crucial role in maintaining public safety and security. With hundreds of staff, visitors, criminals, and members of the public passing through its branches every day, the MET needs a versatile and high-standard approach to physical security and staff protection.
When a large MET branch in West London required a security upgrade that would create a high level of security while still maintaining a warm and accessible environment, they appointed Safetell as the security specialist for the project.
Challenge
The branch wanted to create an environment that was more open-plan and less threatening than standard police stations while simultaneously enhancing access per the Equality Act 2010. However, as a highly-trafficked police station dealing with members of the public, including victims of crime and dangerous criminals, security was of the utmost importance. It was up to Safetell to implement safety solutions that would not compromise the accessibility of the space nor the safety and security of the staff and public.
Solution
Safetell created and installed a bespoke version of their moving security shield, CounterShield, an accessible interview room counter, security doors equipped with door automation and manual attack-resistant glazing that would enable officers to adjust the level of security in the building as required.
Outcome
The dedicated interview room, constructed using Countershield and Swing Door Automation, allows users to enter the room and open the door with the push of a button. The interviewer is able to control the security level inside by raising or lowering the manual attack-resistant CounterShield and securely locking the door at will.
The flexibility of the security solution allows staff at the police station to create a more open and accessible police environment without negatively impacting or compromising the level of safety in the building. ..."
http://www.safetell.co.uk/case-studies/safetell-strengthens-security-measures-for-metropolitan-police/
And Safetell's work in combining accessibility with security is complemented by Grosvenor Technology's excellent access control provision and support:-
"Case Study | Healthcare
Care Begins At Home With Grosvenor Technology
Lynwood's new Access Control system can be easily managed through a browser on any PC on Lynwood’s system and integrates with their fire and automatic door systems.
Ensuring the safety of people and premises lies at the heart of any access control system. But personal safety is even more important when the building is home to older people and those with additional health needs.
BEN is a UK charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry. As well as providing support and advice for families in need, BEN also provides home away from home care in four locations across the country, including the state-of-the-art Lynwood Care Centre in Ascot, Berkshire.
Although Lynwood residents were enjoying brand new facilities, staff and managers at the centre were concerned the security that had originally been installed wasn’t fit for purpose. They invited security experts from FTL Secure Solutions and Grosvenor Technology, who identified that access control could be both improved and simplified. Locks had been poorly installed, break glasses were missing and most importantly, the system wasn’t networked – meaning that every time access procedures changed, 30 keypads had to be individually re-programmed.
Access control is extremely important to the staff at Lynwood, who needed a failsafe way of making sure that patients feel safe and secure; while ensuring that access for staff, families and visitors is comprehensive and stress free. The Lynwood Centre has 96 beds and 69 apartments and offers facilities for patients with dementia, physically disabled younger people, respite and day care, and rehabilitation services, as well as residential nursing care – so sees a diverse range of staff and visitors on a daily basis.
“Access control is largely in the hands of nursing staff,” explains Andrew Wylie of FTL. “Understandably, their priority is Lynwood’s residents, and they aren’t security experts, so they needed a security solution that would take less time administering and securing – so they could spend more time caring.”
Lynwood now benefits from one of Grosvenor Technology’s access control systems, which FTL didn’t hesitate to recommend for the Centre. The system is 100% browser based, so the facility is now networked and can be controlled by the Lynwood team using a PC. The hardware is also quick and easy to install and doesn’t require dependency on IT specialists. ..."
https://www.grosvenortechnology.com/industry-solutions/care-begins-at-home-with-grosvenor-technology/
"Care Begins At Home With Grosvenor Technology
... Access control is now integrated with Lynwood’s fire system and automatic doors, and the centre will also be taking advantage of enhanced security via the escorted guest feature, whereby staff swipe cards control visitors’ access.
“Lynwood’s previous experience of access control had left a fairly bitter taste. Now, thanks to Grosvenor Technology, residents and their families are secure in the knowledge that the access control on offer mirrors the state-of-the-art building. The Lynwood team is confident that the system is easy and intuitive to use, and that it is backed up by Grosvenor’s excellent aftercare support.”
– Andrew Wylie , Senior Account Manager, FTL"
https://www.grosvenortechnology.com/industry-solutions/care-begins-at-home-with-grosvenor-technology/
In addition, Grosvenor's state-of-the art time clocks terminals can cater for disabled people much better than older options.
Manual paper time cards in particular can be very challenging for visually impaired persons.
It all adds up to NWT being the best listed disabled access play that I am aware of.
And this is a need that is only going to increase with our ageing population.
McCarthy & Stone, the (unlisted) retirement housing company, shows what a great business area this can be:-
"... in 1977 they built their first retirement housing development in Hampshire. Subsequently they ceased other building work to concentrate on developing specialist housing for elderly people.[3] By 1982, when the company was floated on the Unlisted Securities Market, the company had completed 15 retirement housing developments and was selling around 200 units a year.[4] Growth was rapid after the flotation, and by 1984 the company operated on a national basis with annual sales approaching 1,000 units. The business was exceptionally profitable due to a rapidly ageing population.[3] Annual sales reached 2,601 units in 1988.[3]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthy_Stone
And the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing trend means that strong investment demand is likely to match the strong business demand.