What Is An Access Audit ?

Why Do You Need An Access Audit ?

The purpose of an Access Audit is to establish how well a building performs in relation to access and ease of use by a wide range of potential users, including people with physical mobility and sensory impairments.

It is valuable:

• To identify necessary adjustments in the service provided to disabled customers to meet the requirements of current provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, BS8300 and Part M of the Building Regulations. Together with other relevant legislation dependant on the service provider.

• As the first "reasonable step" to disabled access indicated in legislation, in recognising the possible obstacles, and devising solutions, to avoid possible litigation by discriminating by way or a worse service to a disabled customer.

• To consider existing management and organisation of a building and the service from it, to achieve maximum accessibility.

• As part of a future Disabled Access Action Plan, enabling incorporation of reasonable adjustments on future refurbishment, regular maintenance and budget planning for substantial capital costs.

• To help gain consent for alterations, extensions and new builds in compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations.

• To assist application for Lottery, National Heritage and other public funding.

• Most importantly, to anticipate and plan ahead of the next stage of the Disability Discrimination Act in 2004, requiring reasonable physical alterations, and claiming a part of the large, very loyal disabled customer market.

The Access Audit and Its Contents:

The Access Audit is the first "reasonable step" in consideration of maximum accessibility in a building

The Access Audit Report records the building, and establishes how well that building performs in terms of access and ease of use by a wide range of potential users.

It identifies good and bad practice, design and layout in regard to disabled access, identifying obstacles to people with mobility and sensory impairments.

In addition, the audit report will then seek to find solutions to access problems, with recommendations and relative costings.

Recommended work will be prioritised into absolutely essential work so as to remove major obstacles or comply with legislation. It will also identify this work in three categories:

• Work of a comparatively minor nature or adjustment to working practice or management, at low cost.

• Adaptations which can be carried out as part of ongoing maintenance, refurbishment and redecoration.

• Major capital items which may need to be budgeted for, particularly considering reasonable physical adjustment by 2004.

Criteria for recommendations will be the Disability Discrimination Act, including new Regulations, with its Code of Practice, Part M Building Regulations, BS8300 and best practice to consider positively towards complete accessibility.

Access Staintons' Access Audit Report includes a General Consultants Overview, in addition to the above sequential inspection report. According to clients needs, it can include a Summary in spreadsheet format, available electronically as an ongoing management tool.

Added Value

Added value to clients for whom we issue full access audit reports in the way of our accompanying Access Design Guides and Sketches on environmental access elements, and Access Guidance Notes on organisational and attitudinal issues.

Physical Barriers Considered In The Audit

Getting To The Premises

• Parking

• Approach and routes to entrance

• Lighting and signage to entrance

• Surfaces of approach

• Street and grounds furniture

Getting Into The Premises

• Steps and ramps

• Entrance doors and thresholds

• Reception areas including desks, seating and lighting

Getting Around The Premises

• Lateral circulation, width of corridors etc

• Internal direction signs

• Floor surfaces, and tonal contrasts of surfaces

• Vertical circulation - lifts and stairs

Using The Services In The Premises

• Toilets, washrooms, changing and bathroom facilities

• Access to and in eating and bar areas

• Public room access and layout

• Lighting, heating and acoustics

• Accessibility of switches, handles and controls

• Seating and furniture

• Telephones and electrical equipment

• Alarms and acoustics

Getting Out Of The Building

• Fire exits and escape routes

• Emergency lighting and warning systems

• Safe refuge areas in event of fire

Managing The Building And Service

• Keeping routes clear and obstructions removed

• Maintenance of lighting, heating and alarm systems

• Attitudinal approach of staff

• Publicity material, menus etc