DESIGN AN INCLUSIVE BUILDING, PLACE, OR SPACE SO THAT IT IS EASILY AND COMFORTABLY ACCESSED AND USED BY EVERYNE.

The built environment can be a challenging place for all of us. Disabled people in particular still face considerable environmental, attitudinal and organisational barriers – see campaigns by Attitude is Everything, Level Playing Field, Muscular Dystrophy Trailblazers and Leonard Cheshire Disability. Yet there are also unique and exceptional examples of inclusively designed buildings and places, including the Library of Birmingham – 2015 winner of the Civic Trust Selwyn Goldsmith Universal Design Award, and of course, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, which is developing into one of the most accessible and inclusive neighbourhoods in the UK.

Inclusive design goes well beyond simply satisfying the requirements of government legislation or regulations. It's about understanding people – their needs, their concerns, and what they really want from a building – and engaging the more social aspects of the built environment that others overlook. Whether you call it inclusive design, universal design or design for all – it's about socially sustainable design that puts people at the heart of the design process, which provides choice and flexibility, acknowledges diversity and difference and does not preclude anyone. Design of all scales can and should be more inclusive – buildings and the built environment are, before anything else, for people. The brief asks you to to demonstrate how a concept, plan, strategy or design facilitates dignified, equal and intuitive use for all users, paying particular attention to the needs of disabled people, older people and families with small children.

Inclusive design is a dynamic ever-developing field, and your creativity and passion can help to push the boundaries even further.

Inclusion is more than meeting 'Part M' of the building regulations or ticking a box against technical access standards such as the British Standard Code of Practice BS 8300 (although these minimum standards provide the starting point for achieving good inclusive design). With an ageing population and over 12 million disabled people in the UK who, with their friends and families, have a spending power of over £200bn, the demand for easy and independent access to work, leisure and housing, continues to increase.

Recognising that people can be disabled by their environment through inaccessible buildings and services, by the barriers in society including people's attitudes (stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice), and by organisations (inflexible policies, practices and procedures) will help you to think about how your building place or space can be inclusive.