Access for All ~ Access Audit

What is an Access Audit?

An audit is an assessment of a building, which compares the existing building against predefined criteria. The criteria used by the Access Audit Team include: 

Approved Document M (Part M of the Building Regulations) 

British Standard 8300 (BS8300) 

Department for Transport document Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces 

JMU document Sign Design Guide 

During the Access Audit, the auditor will walk around the building, visiting all the areas which are accessible to the public, i.e. starting at the boundary of the site and the car park, through the main entrance to Reception, and so on, and will note possible obstructions to access (for example, steps without a ramp, narrow doorways, poor lighting etc.). 

The Equality Bill 2009 What is it about?  

Why do I need an access audit? 

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 gives disabled people the legal right to have the same access to goods and services as non-disabled people. The first step to improving access to your services is an access audit. The access audit will help to identify potential barriers to access, and will make suggestions how these barriers can be overcome. 

What is covered by the Access Audit? 

·        Car parking 

·        Entrance to the building 

·        Reception 

·        Vertical circulation (e.g. corridors) 

·        Horizontal circulation (e.g. stairs and lifts) 

·        Toilet, bathing and changing facilities 

·        Lighting 

·        Signage 

·        Emergency escape routes 

·        Review of communication aids such as induction loops for hearing aid users. 

    What is not covered by the Access Audit? 

·        Fire alarms and fire evacuation 

·        Health and safety issues 

·        Staff-only areas of the building (unless these are specifically requested to be included) 

What preparations will I need to make before the audit? 

It would be helpful if some information could be made ready prior to the visit. Please provide the Access Audit Team with information on the use of the building, approximate numbers of members of the public who visit the building, fire evacuation procedures and any disability-related training which staff have received. This information can be given by email or telephone prior to the audit, or given to the auditor on the day. 

It would also be helpful if a manager or senior member of staff were available to accompany the access auditor during the visit. This gives an opportunity to discuss key issues and give background on any recommendations given subsequently in the access report. 

What happens after the access audit? 

The access auditor will write up a report highlighting potential access barriers and making recommendations for improvements. This report will be issued to whoever has requested the audit, with a copy to the manager of the facility, if required. 

Occasionally the auditor may identify access barriers which do not have a physical solution (such as building a ramp), but can be addressed by introducing management systems. If such barriers have been identified, a separate report will be sent to the manager of the facility suggesting systems which could be introduced to overcome these barriers. 

The auditor will be available to discuss any matter highlighted by the report, and a member of the Access Audit Team will be happy to meet with the management of the facility, architects, builders or other professionals following the audit, in order to discuss solutions to access problems. 

Who should have an access audit? 

An access audit is likely to be beneficial for all service providers. 

Contact The Access Audit team on 01206 304793or 07941 940596 

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5% of income generated from Access 4 all is donated to Multiple Sclerosis