5

INSERT 5

Accessibility Assessment
CRITERIA

Providing accommodation suitable for disabled people can open up a new market for you by making your
accommodation accessible to a wide spectrum of people with some form of specific requirement. Often
such provision helps other visitors to use the facilities also, and it need not be a costly exercise.
We would also highlight the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) to accommodation
providers, the final part of which has been effective from October 2004. The DDA is a piece of UK legislation
which creates a new context for service provision. The Act requires that disabled people be given equal
opportunities to participate in and contribute to the full range of economic, social, cultural and political
activities. Access for disabled people, including access to the goods, services and facilities provided by
business, can no longer be an afterthought.
The objective of the DDA, the creation of a fairer society, is compatible with your objective of creating or
maintaining a successful business.
Please note, participation in this scheme does not guarantee compliance with the DDA.
Studies have shown that within Europe, there is a
potential market of 14 million people, worth a potential
22 billion a year to the tourism industry, who would
take holidays if better facilities were available, and could
be attracted through simple, relatively low cost
measures to improve accessibility.
Disabled people often do not travel because of a lack of
suitable accommodation, access and information.
To offer suitable accommodation for at least a segment
of this market, VisitScotland operates a national
accessibility scheme that identifies, acknowledges and
promotes these accommodation establishments that
meet the needs of visitors with mobility impairment.
For further information on the DDA, please contact The
Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline on
0845 604 5510, textphone 0845 604 5520 or visit their
website at www.equalityhumanrights.com
THE SCHEME
The three categories of accessibility, drawn up in close
consultation with specialist organisations concerned
with the needs of people with disabilities, are:

CATEGORY 1
Unassisted wheelchair
access for residents

CATEGORY 2
Assisted wheelchair
access for residents

CATEGORY 3
Access for residents with
mobility difficulties

The minimum requirements for each of the three categories

are detailed within this leaflet. However, it is emphasised that
these are not necessarily recommended or ideal
measurements - they should be regarded as minimum
and should be exceeded wherever possible.
If an access inspection reveals that there are other
aspects, not covered by the criteria, that prohibit access
or present serious obstacles, VisitScotland reserves the
right to withhold an award pending the situation being
remedied.
PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
For those accommodation establishments meeting the
criteria requirements and achieving a category, eligibility
will be granted for the display of the appropriate
accessible symbol within promotional literature a logo
is available for printers use. VisitScotland will provide a
free certificate for wall display within your reception
area; a wall plaque will be available for purchase.
The accessibility category will be prominently allocated
against advertising that you place in most VisitScotland
publications.
SCHEME CONDITIONS
The access inspection is made during the annual Quality
Assurance (QA) Scheme visit, therefore establishments
are reassessed annually. The access category is subject
to the same conditions as that of the establishments
Quality Assurance award. Assessment is free for
establishments which are members of the Quality
Assurance Scheme, simply tick the appropriate box on
the application form, inform your Business Relationship
Manager or contact the Quality and Standards
Department.

VisitScotland
Cowan House, Inverness Retail and Business Park, Inverness IV2 7GF.
Telephone: 01463 244111 Email: customerservices@visitscotland.com

ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS WITH MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES

Requirements for CATEGORY 3

PUBLIC ENTRANCE

B AT H R O O M

n
n
n

a public entrance must be accessible to

wheelchair users from a setting down or car
parking point.
where an establishment has a car park, a
reservable parking space should be available
for a disabled guest, on request.
the route from the parking point or space to
the entrance must be sound and free from
obstacles. Deep gravel, cobbles and pot-holed
surfaces are unlikely to be acceptable.
the entrance door must have a clear opening
of not less than 67cm.
where there is no ramp there must be no more
than 3 steps to the entrance at any one point.
within the reception area, there must be an
unobstructed space of not less than 110 x
70cm.

INTERIOR GENERAL

n
n

those public passageways that lead to the

restaurant or dining room, lounge, TV lounge
(unless TV is provided in the bedroom), bar,
the disabled guests bedroom and bathroom
(if other than ensuite) should be not less than
75cm wide.
doors to the rooms referred to above should
have a clear opening of not less than 67cm.
there must be no more than 3 steps, at any
one point, in the corridors the disabled guest
will be required to use or at the entrance of the
rooms referred to above.
where the disabled guest may be required to
use a lift, the door should have a clear opening
of not less than 67cm, and the interior of the
lift should be not less than 110cm deep by
70cm wide.

n
n

the bathroom must be ensuite or on the same

floor as the disabled guests bedroom.
where a bath is provided, it should have a
horizontal or angled support rail on the far
side (recommended 25cm above the rim).
where a shower only is provided, it must have
a seat (recommended 45-50cm above the
floor) and a support rail on the far wall
(recommended 25cm above the top of the seat
and a maximum of 50cm from the centre of
the seat.)
where there is a step into the shower, it should
have a riser of no more than 19cm.
there must be a washbasin within the
bathroom or bedroom.

WC

n
n
n

the WC must be ensuite or on the same floor

as the disabled guests bedroom.
toilet paper must be within reach of the seat.
where the WC is separate from the bathroom
there must be a washbasin in the same room.

Notes:
n Ramps, where present, should not have a
gradient at any point of more than 1:12.
n Steps to be used by a disabled guest should
have risers no more than 19cm, with treads no
less than 25cm deep and 75cm wide.

ASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS

Requirements for CATEGORY 2

All the requirements for CATEGORY 3, except as amended below:

PUBLIC ENTRANCE

n
n

where there is no ramp, there must be no

more than single steps to the entrance.
the entrance door must have a clear opening
of not less than 75cm.

INTERIOR GENERAL

n
n

there must be no more than single steps, at

any one point, in the corridors or to the rooms
the disabled guest will be required to use.
those public passageways that lead to the
restaurant or dining room, lounge, TV lounge
(unless TV is provided in the bedroom), bar,
the disabled guests bedroom and bathroom
(if other than ensuite) should be not less than
80cm wide and not less than 120cm opposite
the doors to the rooms referred to above.
doors to the rooms referred to above should
have a clear opening of not less than 75cm.
in the restaurant/dining room there must be at
least one accessible table with a clear
underspace of at least 65cm high. Blocks, to lift
a table when required, are acceptable. Where
three or more bedrooms meet the
requirements for Category 2 or 1, at least two
such accessible tables should be provided.
where the disabled guest may be required to
use a lift, the door should have a clear opening
of not less than 75cm, and the interior of the
lift should be not less than 120cm deep by
80cm wide.

BEDROOM

n
n

(only one bedroom need meet these

requirements)
there must be unobstructed space of not less
than 110 x 70cm
there must be space alongside at least one
side of the bed of not less than 80cm to allow
for lateral transfer.

B AT H R O O M

(only one bathroom, separate or ensuite with

the bedroom(s) above need meet these
requirements)
there must be an unobstructed interior space,
clear of the door swing, of not less than 100 x
70cm.
where a bath is provided, there must be space
alongside of not less than 80cm to allow for
lateral transfer.
where a shower only is provided, it must have:
a level entry i.e. no rim; a lateral transfer space
of not less than 80cm; and a seat.
the washbasin, either within the bathroom or
bedroom, must have sufficient clear
underspace and/or level taps to enable it to be
used by someone in a wheelchair.

WC

n
n
n

(only one WC, separate or ensuite with the

bedroom(s) above need meet these
requirements)
there must be a lateral transfer space to the
WC of not less than 80cm.
the rim of the WC seat must be between 4550cm above the floor.
there must be a horizontal or angled support
rail opposite the transfer space, between 2030cm above the seat.
if separate from the bathroom, there must be
an unobstructed interior space of not less than
110 x 70cm and a washbasin with clear
underspace.

Notes:
n There can be a succession of single steps,
provided there is sufficient space after each
step for a wheelchair to sit comfortably and
safely, with all four wheels on the ground.

UNASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS

Requirements for CATEGORY 1

All the requirements for CATEGORY 2, except as amended below:
PUBLIC ENTRANCE

n
n

if there is a car park, there must be a level

reservable space with a minimum width of 3.6
metres for each bedroom meeting the
Category 1 requirements.
the route from parking point or space to the
entrance must be level or ramped.
the threshold at the entrance must be no
higher than 2cm.

INTERIOR GENERAL

n
n

all routes to be used by the disabled guest

must be level or ramped.
where the guest is required to use a lift, it must
have automatic doors and the controls must
be 140cm or less above the floor.
access to the restaurant/dining room, lounge,
bar, bedroom, bathroom and WC (where not
ensuite) must be level or ramped with
thresholds no higher than 2cm.

WC

KITCHENS

n
n
n

n
n
n

BEDROOM

n
n

(only one bedroom need meet these

requirements)
the surface of the bed must be between 4554cm above the floor.
door handles, light switches, TV controls,
curtain pulls, wardrobe rails, etc., should be
accessible and not more than 140cm above
the floor.
light switch and telephone (where provided)
no more than 50cm from the bed.

B AT H R O O M

n
n

n
n

(only one bathroom, separate or ensuite with

the bedroom(s) above, need meet these
requirements)
the door handle and light switch must be
140cm or less above the floor.
the horizontal or angled support rail at the far
side of the bath must be no more than 30cm
above the rim.
the rim of the bath must be 45-50cm above the
floor.
where a shower only is available to the guest
the controls must be 140cm or less above the
floor.

(only one WC, separate or ensuite with the

bedroom(s) above, need meet these
requirements)
the horizontal support rail opposite the
transfer space must be no more than 50cm
from the centre of the seat.

n
n

(Self Catering units only)

there must be a minimum clear floor space of
120cm in front of units and worksurfaces.
at least one worksurface or table should have
a clear underspace between 65-80cm high.
the hob should not be more than 80cm high.
Hob to have clear underspace below or
alongside and accessible controls.
the oven should have front controls and base
between 65cm and 80cm above floor.
the sink should have lever taps and a clear
underspace.
the base of wall cupboards and shelves should
not be more than 120cm above floor.
light switches and door handles should not be
more than 140cm above floor.
power socket should not be more than 140cm
above floor and unobstructed (extension
sockets acceptable).
a fire extinguisher or fire blanket not more
than 140cm above floor should be sited
between the hob and doorway, and be
accessible.

Notes:
n Removeable ramps, unless permanently in situ,
are not acceptable
n Thresholds to rooms to which the wheelchair
user requires access must be no higher than 2cm.

QAINSERT 5