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Development fact sheet

3.5 Wheelchair accessible housing

Contents

Wheelchair accessible housing

Wheelchair accessible housing

In larger residential buildings, developers are urged to ensure that a percentage, based on local need and site suitability, should be designed to permit, without further structural alteration, adaptation to the standards set out in "Wheelchair Housing" published by the Department of Environment, Housing Development Directorate. Any such units should be evenly distributed through the development and cater for a varying number of occupants.

The standards to be provided include:

• a level or slightly ramped approach and flush threshold at the main entrance (see 6.2 Ramps and 6.22 Approach / Entrance and Thresholds - Dwellings)
• internal planning for wheelchair manoeuvre into and within all principal rooms (see 6.5 Doors and Entrances, 6.6 Lobbies and Corridors and 6.22 Dwellings- Internal Circulation and Layout )
• downstairs bedroom and bathroom, or in a two-storey house, a downstairs WC and a staircase suitable for the installation of a platform or chair lift or the provision of adequate space for the subsequent installation of a through-floor lift (see 6.9 Toilets, 6.7 Lifts and 6.22 Dwellings - Entrance Level Toilets)
• a bathroom and toilet large enough to permit lateral transfer from wheelchair to WC/bath (see 6.9 Toilets)
• kitchen layout designed for easy access by wheelchair users
• parking for a minimum of one space per unit adjacent to the dwelling or in accordance with the council's parking standards, whichever is the greater (see 5.15 Car Parking).

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