To ask the Minister for the Olympics what discussions she has had with the Olympic Delivery Authority on the accessibility of the Olympic Village for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement. (184384)

The Olympic Village will be fully accessible to disabled people and comply with both the spirit and the intent of all relevant legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and its supporting code of practice and will exceed the requirements of the UK’s Building Regulations (Part M).

I am fully committed to ensuring that the Village is a model of accessibility. To that end, the ODA’s Access and Inclusion Forum meets on a quarterly basis to advise on areas of inclusive design through the sharing of knowledge and experience. It has representation from a lead disability organisation within each of the five boroughs, as well as the Borough Access Officers and key external stakeholders.

In addition to the forum, the ODA Access Panels—one for the built environment and one for transport—target the more specific issues around those areas. The Panels provide specialist disability and inclusive design experts to review and advise upon Park commitments—both at Games time and in legacy—and have final sign-off on ODA build commitments. In support of this, the ODA has also appointed two Principal Access Officers, one specialising in transport accessibility, and one specialising in the built environment. These Officers are responsible for the development of inclusive design within the ODA’s programme.

To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many residences in the Olympic Village will be accessible to disabled people. (184385)

London 2012’s Olympic and Paralympic Village have been designed from the outset as an accessible and inclusive community. During Games time, the Village will provide over 17,320 beds to athletes and officials and 8,700 during the Paralympic Games, all of which will be wheelchair accessible.

The Village will comply with both the spirit and the intent of the relevant legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)1995 and its supporting code of practices. In addition, it will exceed the requirements of the UK’s Building Regulations (Part M). For example, the design of bathrooms throughout the Village will exceed the IPC minimum requirements.

In legacy, the Olympic Village will provide approximately 4,000 residential units. These units are all being designed to ensure that all people, young and old, single or in families, disabled and non-disabled can benefit. As many of the Village units as is practicable will be built to Lifetime Homes Standards. In addition, at least 10 per cent. of these units also will be fully accessible to wheelchairs.