Disability access audits – We must think beyond disability when carrying out an access audit.
Recently we have been getting a number of queries on what should be covered in a disability access audit. In response, we have been advising clients that in line with the principles of Universal Design we need to think beyond just carrying out an access audit for people with disabilities and carry out an access audit for all people regardless of age, size or disability.
Universal Design refers to the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. Universal Design is written into national legislation in Part 6 of the Disability Act and more recently has used as the principle on which Technical guidance Document M 2010 has been based.
Some recent accessibility examples we came across that will benefit all people regardless of age, size or disability include:
- Signage in a hospital that incorporated good use of colour, used different symbols to identify different floors and was clear and concise.
- In a leisure centre, they put travel cots in the male and female changing facilities to allow a parent put their child in the cot, while the parent got dressed.
- In a national park, the baby changing facilities were designed as a standalone facility which were fully accessible and accommodate a parent who might have reduced mobility.
- In the same national park, a lower sink and urinal was provided in the male WC to accommodate children and people of smaller stature.
- At a petrol station, there was a sign on the petrol pump which provided a number to ring if you needed assistance to get petrol or diesel.
We also are advising clients that an access audit is much more than an audit of the built environment. As discussed in one of our recent updates, inclusive access is achieved by eliminating barriers, both physical, attitudinal and procedural, which may otherwise inhibit the full participation of the whole community. This means that when organisations are reviewing (auditing) the accessibility of their services they will need to consider their approach to such things as:
- Reasonable accommodation for staff members with disabilities.
- Good customer services to ensure staff are welcoming.
- Ensuring all policies address accessibility.
- The day to day management of buildings addresses accessibility to ensure the buildings are maintained correctly.
- Promotion of the services and marketing is inclusive and designed to accommodate everyone.
- When buying goods and services accessibility is a key criterion.
- Providing all information in accessible formats as required and ensuring adequate pre-visitor information is available.
If you would like further information why not check out Access audits – Are you aware that an access audit is much more than an assessment of building accessibility or some recent projects we have carried out in this area.
