Accessibility cannot be guaranteed by good design alone. How a building is managed in its day-to-day running will have a huge impact on how easy it is to use by disabled people.

It is important that those involved in making a building accessible – whether new or existing – contribute to the drafting of a building management manual, which can be updated and added to as required, and linked to any Access Statement. In response to duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and to achieve good practice in the management of buildings generally, the following building management and maintenance issues should be considered.

Key advice for access groups: share this information with service providers in your area so that they can use it to improve and maintain standards of accessibility in their premises. Doing so will help them meet their duties under the DDA, and is likely to have a positive impact on their general service provision.

Car parking
Ensure that non-disabled drivers do not occupy bays intended for disabled people.

Bicycles
Ensure that bicycles are not left across access routes or chained to the handrails of steps or ramps.

Routes and external paving surfaces
Ensure that external routes, ramps and steps are kept clean, unobstructed and free of surface water, snow and ice and of algae growth.

Vegetation/planting
Ensure that planted borders, shrubs, bushes and trees are not allowed to grow to an extent whereby they obstruct paving, entrances, routes, signs or the spread of light.

Doors
Ensure that door closers are regularly maintained, door ironmongery is kept clean and free-moving, side-hung doors accompanying revolving doors are not kept locked.

Door opening
Ensure that doors are easy to use. Where an opening force at the leading edge of a door of 20 Newtons cannot be achieved, options to consider include the following:

• a door can be held open (on magnetic closers linked to the fire alarm if it is a fire door)
• the door closer can be removed if it is not required (though fire containment must be the priority)
• the door can be automated
• assistance can be provided as and when required (this option is a last resort as it results in a lack of independent access)

Horizontal circulation
Ensure that spaces required for wheelchair manoeuvres are not obstructed by deliveries or storage and ensure access between movable tables, for example in refreshment areas.

Vertical circulation
Ensure that lifts are regularly checked to see that the lift car floor aligns with the structural floor, that short-rise lifts are not abused by people using them as goods lifts and that portable ramps are available where needed.

WCs
Ensure that supplies of toilet tissue and paper towels are regularly replenished, that the waste bin is not left in transfer spaces, and that the WC is not used as an unofficial storage area.

Signs
Ensure that new signs integrate with the existing signage, that signs are replaced correctly when removed for redecoration, and that temporary signs are removed when no longer relevant.

Maps and models
Ensure that maps and models of building interiors are updated when departments move offices within the building.

Hearing enhancement systems
Ensure that installations are advertised and regularly checked, and that staff are properly trained.

Alarms and security
Ensure that alarm systems, including those in WCs, are regularly checked and that new staff are trained in alarm response procedures.

Surfaces
Ensure that cleaning and polishing does not render slip-resistant surfaces slippery. Ensure that the functions between different flooring materials do not become worn, presenting a tripping hazard. Ensure that, when flooring is renewed, like is replaced by like. Ensure that the redecoration of interiors does not compromise a carefully selected colour scheme designed to impart information to people with poor sight or impair contrast with features such as door frames, control panels or signs.

Lighting
Ensure that windows, lamps and blinds are kept clean in order to maximise available light. Ensure that blown light bulbs are swiftly replaced.

Information
Ensure that up-to-date information is available on the accessibility of the building, on the equipment available, on the assistance available in order to overcome any barriers, and on the nearest accessible parking and accessible WCs if these are not provided. Staff should be able to answer these queries over the telephone, and the information should also be available on the organisation's website.

Policy issues
Including reviewing allocation of parking spaces, number of disabled people needing facilities, signage policy, staff training and evacuation procedures. Commissioning access audits and ensure that access improvements are incorporated wherever possible in maintenance and refurbishment work.