Further to the article Winning design not on shortlist (Daily Echo, October 2) I feel compelled to write in defence of the process for selecting the new accessible beach huts planned for Bournemouth seafront.
DOTS Disability is a not-for-profit, user-led organisation of local disabled people and carers. We were delighted to have been part of the selection process. Our involvement has ensured that local disabled people’s needs have been comprehensively considered.
The reason the winning design was not on the original shortlist is that all of those five had drawbacks in terms of accessibility.
On the advice of disabled people the shortlist was extended to the top eight designs. Disabled people were not only included but were highly influential on the final judging panel.
We believe it is highly significant that a facility for disabled people will be created that is not only fully accessible, but also beautiful and iconic.
We hope the project will help challenge the assumption that accessibility is only about function and practicalities. In many ways the project challenges stereotypes of disabled people and promotes a much more positive image.
Jonathan Waddington-Jones, managing director, DOTS Disability CIC
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