ASH Door Furniture, a leading manufacturer of pull door handles, vision panels, and pedestrian barriers, is committed to ensuring that its products meet the highest accessibility standards in line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. The DDA was introduced to prevent discrimination against disabled individuals in various aspects of life, including access to goods, services, and facilities. Compliance with this legislation is essential to ensure that buildings and public spaces are accessible to all individuals, including those with physical impairments.

DDA Compliance in Product Design

At ASH Door Furniture, we recognise the importance of designing and manufacturing products that contribute to creating an accessible environment. Our commitment to DDA compliance is reflected in the following key areas:

Pull Door Handles

• Ergonomic Design: Our pull door handles are designed with ease of use in mind, ensuring that they are suitable for people with limited strength or dexterity. Handles are made to be comfortable to grip and operate, with smooth surfaces and appropriate shapes that allow users to open doors with minimal effort.

• Height and Positioning: In accordance with DDA guidelines, our pull door handles are available in sizes that allow easy installation at recommended heights (between 900mm and 1000mm from the floor). This ensures that the handles can be used comfortably by both seated and standing individuals, including wheelchair users.

• Contrasting Colours: To aid those with visual impairments, our handles can be manufactured in contrasting colours that ensure high visibility against the door surface. This helps to meet the DDA requirements regarding visual contrast between the hardware and surrounding environment.

Vision Panels

• Height and Visibility: Our vision panels are designed to comply with DDA requirements by ensuring that they are installed at heights accessible to both standing and seated users. Panels are positioned to allow clear visibility, ensuring that people with different levels of mobility can see through the door and assess the situation on the other side.

• Size and Placement: Vision panels are made in various sizes to ensure maximum visibility and safety. They are placed at the appropriate height so that wheelchair users, as well as those standing, can see through the door without any obstruction.

Pedestrian Barriers

• Clear Access Routes: Our pedestrian barriers are designed to provide clear and accessible routes for disabled individuals. Barriers are carefully constructed to ensure there is enough space for wheelchair access and do not present obstacles to those with mobility impairments.

• Height and Width Considerations: The dimensions of our barriers are developed in accordance with the DDA guidelines, ensuring that they accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids. The width of the passage and the height of the barriers allow for comfortable and safe use.

• Tactile and Audible Indicators: To assist individuals with visual impairments, our pedestrian barriers can be equipped with tactile indicators, such as ribbed surfaces or warning bumps. In addition, audible signals can be incorporated to inform users when the barrier is in use or when access is granted.

Compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations

In addition to adhering to the DDA, ASH Door Furniture also complies with the UK’s Building Regulations Part M, which ensures that buildings are accessible and inclusive. The guidelines in Part M support our approach to providing accessible door furniture and pedestrian barriers, including the following measures:

• Minimum Force Requirements: Our pull door handles are designed to meet the minimum force requirements for door opening, ensuring that users with limited strength can operate them without excessive effort.

• Smooth Operation: We ensure that all our products, including door handles and barriers, are designed for smooth operation, reducing the need for twisting, gripping, or turning, which could be difficult for individuals with physical impairments.

Inclusive Design Principles

At ASH Door Furniture, we believe in the importance of inclusive design, which goes beyond mere compliance with regulations. Our design process prioritises the needs of all users, particularly those with disabilities, in the following ways:

• User Feedback: We actively seek feedback from users and organisations representing disabled individuals to continually improve our product offerings.

• Customisation: We offer customised solutions for specific accessibility needs, allowing our products to be tailored to suit the unique requirements of each project.

• Sustainability: Our products are made from durable, sustainable materials, ensuring long-term usability and compliance with accessibility standards.

Conclusion

ASH Door Furniture is committed to full compliance with the DDA and other relevant accessibility regulations. By designing pull door handles, vision panels, and pedestrian barriers that prioritise ease of use, visibility, and inclusivity, we aim to provide solutions that make public and private spaces accessible to everyone. We continue to innovate and collaborate with architects, designers, and disability advocates to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of accessibility and usability.