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A Response to Architects Disable: A Challenge to Transform - Yvonne Farrell
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Kitchin does not accept that cost can be a contributing factor for the omission of elements of equality. He's right, but sometimes it is hard, within a restricted budget, to be that bit more generous with area, specify that detail that will last longer, find that handle which will act just that little bit more smoothly. It may be that we can learn from the 1% for Art. Would it not be a terrific humanitarian contribution to have an additional percentage of each budget dedicated to "Elements of Equality" (and tax deductible?)

There are a number of Client Bodies, with whom we work, for example, the Office of Public Works, University College Dublin, Trinity College - who require that consideration of disability goes beyond current legal requirements. They want to 'lead the field' in consideration of disability issues.

In our office, we have been working over the past number of years with the Department of Education and Science and North Kildare Educate Together Project to build an integrated primary school, which includes classrooms for children with autism. It is through the process of working closely with the school's dynamic Board of Management, the enlightened principal and staff, the committed people in the Department of Education and Science that this project is nearing completion. We, as architects, through dialogue with those working closely with these children and through an understanding of the ethos of the school itself, developed a strategy of integration. The experience of people in the Lisanally Special School, Armagh City, has been invaluable in helping to evaluate tried and tested experience- that the ethos of the school is children centred- that everyone involved in the school is there for each child. The staff endeavour to look at the world from the child's perspective and when this project started, we learnt that we were not dealing with autistic children, but with children with autism.

I use the above example to balance Rob Kitchin's assertion that the danger lies in the professionals' conviction that they know all the answers. I believe that we are part of a whole new generation of people, who happen to be architects, who know that they don't know all the questions. It is a skill to listen. It is a skill to work together in a group, to expand an idea, to make a new world with people, where life experience is enriching.

As practicing architects, we reach out for The Building Regulations and Technical Guidance Document Part M, Access for all, Buildings for Everyone, Equality Legislation, etc. to ensure best practice. It may be that an in-depth Disability Audit should form a legal part of the Planning Process, and have a legal standing. There could be a checklist, a description of the philosophy and ethos of the overall design, as well as the intention of proposed details. It would also establish a methodology whereby critical issues are highlighted at the Planning stage. Nothing focuses the mind like a legal requirement. It is good for us as individuals and it is important for us as architects to remember our own humanity and be aware of how lucky we are. We can sometimes get a glimpse of parallel lives from those close to us or through the media. The RTE Radio programme Audio scope and Outside the Box are places, where we can hear the voices and lives of people with disabilities, and how they, as ordinary, extraordinary and courageous individuals - go about their daily lives, work, go on holiday. Where else would you hear an interview with a young woman with restricted vision, who is a fire eater/performer - refreshingly open and willing to engage with Life?

Rob Kitchin's challenge to transform is provocative and thought-provoking. 12-18% of our population are dealing with their own disabilities every day. The more you think about it, the more you think about it. We just have to do it, together. This year is European Year of People with Disabilities.

Yvonne Farrell graduated from UCD with a degree in Architecture in 1974. She is a director of Grafton Architects and has been a studio lecturer at UCD since 1978. She is a visiting critic to various European universities.