The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) is more than a consultancy. We are a long-established authority in inclusive design and access to the built environment, including homes and residential developments. Our team of experts are accredited members of the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) or bring equivalent specialist expertise in accessible housing.
We provide expert consultancy and training on housing design, development and delivery, working in partnership with architects, designers and developers to create homes that are functional, inclusive and future-ready. We review proposals against Approved Document M Category 2 (Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings) and Category 3 (Wheelchair User Dwellings) standards, helping clients deliver high-quality, inclusive living environments.
For designers and organisations looking to exceed minimum regulatory requirements, CAE and Habinteg jointly published the Inclusive Housing Design Guide (IHDG). This best practice guide supports architects, planners and developers in creating homes that are inclusive, practical and adaptable, meeting the changing needs of people of all ages, including older and disabled people.
Our wide range of industry-standard design guides includes the gold standard volumes on housing: The Wheelchair Housing Design Guide and the Inclusive Housing Design Guide both trusted resources for professionals involved in the design and delivery of accessible housing.
What is an accessible home?
“… the South Street development is a shining example of how strategic partnerships and sustainable design can create accessible, energy-efficient homes for our community.”
“I feel incredibly happy. The flat has wider doors, a height-adjustable hob – which makes cooking so much easier now – and a wet room with no obstacles in my way… now, I can live a truly independent life.”
Housing guides
CAE and Habinteg Housing Association, with the Royal Institute of British Architects, publish the Inclusive Housing Design Guide, which provides technical guidance on how accessible housing can be designed and built for all. It addresses misconceptions and has sections on site layout, communal outside space, M4(2) accessible and adaptable and M4(3) wheelchair user homes, scale drawings, case studies, insights and photos.
BuyThe Inclusive Housing Design Guide now at cae.org.uk/product/the-inclusive-housing-design-guide
Building new homes is essential to increasing the availability of accessible, adaptable “lifetime” homes and wheelchair-standard housing. However, local authorities in England face significant challenges in developing these much-needed properties. This toolkit is designed to underline the value of inclusive and accessible housing and support development of robust Local Plan policies for accessible homes.
Download the Housing and Disabled People toolkit at www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/housing-and-disabled-people-local-authorities-toolkit-england-planning-accessible-homes.pdfHomes
Consultancy services
Desktop reviews against Approved Document M, M4(2) and M4(3)
Training on Approved Document M Volume 1: M4(2) and M4(3)