Contacted by the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired?

“We have checked the accessibility for visually impaired people in some stores. In the inspected stores, there are no paths from the entrance to the checkout counter. Handrails are a prerequisite for us as visually impaired and blind visitors to be able to get to the checkout and get personal help. The fact that shops are not accessible to everyone, regardless of disability, means that the shop is discriminatory.”

– ArneYes, that’s pretty much exactly how it sounds. Recently, many businesses – shops, restaurants, workshops, DIY stores, gyms, libraries, hotels and other public environments – have contacted Safestep with a common question:“We have been contacted by the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired, what do we do now?”. Often it’s about comments on contrast markings on glass, contrast markings in staircases and level differences, tactile paths or other accessibility adaptations. Difficult, and perhaps even a little scary, many people think. That’s why we’re writing this for those who want to understand what the requirements really mean, what the law says, how to interpret claims of ‘discrimination’ and – most importantly – what you can actually do.

Why do businesses get these letters or calls?

The National Association of the Visually Impaired, often represented by Arne, is tasked with promoting issues related to accessibility for the visually impaired. In some cases, inventories are made of local environments where deficiencies are reported. These may be entirely accurate observations – accessibility adaptation is in fact a legally required part of building and property environments. Businesses react for various reasons:

• uncertainty about what actually applies under the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning’s building regulations
• concern about the use of the word “discriminatory”
• confusion about who is responsible: tenant or property owner
• questions about what counts as a sufficient measure
• concerns about why certain companies are mentioned as suggested partners for action

This last point is often repeated, as Arne sometimes refers to the company Svensk Kontrastmarkering AB, which has family connections to him. Many people find this problematic, although it is not necessarily illegal. It is important to be aware of this – but even more important to know how to proceed in a correct and serious way.

So, what do the rules on accessibility actually say?

Accessibility is not optional – it is an important part of the Swedish National Building Code (BBR) and discrimination legislation. It applies in particular:

• Contrast marking on glass sections
  • Glass sections that can be mistaken for openings must be marked with contrast markings that differ in lightness, at least 0.4 NCS, against the background. The markings shall be visible from both sides of the glass and preferably placed at two heights; one 90cm and one 150cm above the ground.
• Contrast markings on stairs and level differences
  • Stairs, ramps and other level differences should be marked with contrast markings. The top and last step and the part of the step should have a lightness contrast of at least 0,4 NCS. The markings, whether they are round circles, lines or tiles, should look the same throughout the building for maximum clarity.
• Tactile pathways
  • In public spaces, there should be logical and clear pathways leading from the entrance to key target points in the building, such as the elevator, toilet, reception, cash desk, etc. The pathways should be both tactile and visual, which means that they should be felt with the technical stick/blind stick and the sole of the foot, and at the same time have a lightness contrast of 0.4 NCS compared to the floor.
• Clear target points
  • According to BBR, key destinations in buildings must be easy to spot and find, even for people with impaired vision or orientation. Important target points include: entrance, toilet, controls, elevator, reception, stairs, ramps, etc.

If you receive criticism, it is usually about one or more of these points.

Who is responsible – you or the building owner?

This is a key question and a common misunderstanding. The tenant is responsible for furnishings and business adaptations. The property owner is responsible for building accessibility measures, such as

• stairs
• entrances
• level differences
• floor surfaces
• glass partitions

So, if you receive comments from the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired, it is always best to

1. document the deficiencies
2. forward to the property owner
3. request an action plan

Not everything is necessarily your responsibility.

We will help you with the accessibility measures.

Safestep is a safe and impartial choice when you need help with everything from contrast markings on glass, stairs and floors to tactile guidance and signage. We ensure that the solutions comply with industry standards and offer support and advice from our experts – whether it’s interpreting the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning’s rules or planning and designing your project. Since Safestep is not linked to the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired, or Svensk Kontrastmarkering AB, you can always count on independent and honest recommendations. Welcome to contact us!