Accessibilità all’ambiente costruito secondo i principi del Design for All: la norma prEN 17210

The prEN 17210 standard “Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Func- tional requirements” describes the minimum functional requirements and common rec- ommendations for a built environment that is accessible and usable by all, following the design principles of Design for All/Universal Design. The field of application is the built environment in its entirety: the requirements, in fact, concern many elements of the constructions, including accesses, interiors, plants, build- ings (classified according to the purpose of use), but also pedestrian areas, urban areas, means of transport. By adopting the principles of Design for All/Universal Design, the reference user of this standard this “as many users as possible”, which includes not only people with motor dis- abilities, but also those with sensory disabilities (not/hypo visually impaired, deafness, etc.), from cognitive disabilities, people belonging to disadvantaged or weak categories for various reasons (elderly, childhood, pregnancy, etc.) and people with invisible disabilities (heart diseases, diabetes, dialysis and many others). Considering that the prEn 17210 is currently in the last revision phase (December 2019) and will soon be voted, the essay briefly illustrates the standard and provides some gen- eral considerations concerning the contents dedicated to vertical circulation in buildings and in the built environment, with particular attention to lifts.