The Disability Discrimination Act - Access Audits and Access Consultancy
This service is provided for providers of goods and services, employers, education bodies and transport organisations.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) places a wide range of obligations on the above parties and can determine the manner in which the organisation interacts with the public as well as requiring physical changes to premises regardless of tenure.
The service can be provided for almost all property types, as well as examining the wider, non-physical aspects of service provision and employment. The service can provide:
- A detailed assessment of statutory obligations,
- Strategic response planning,
- Project management,
- Policy advice, and
- General consultancy services including design advice.
How we can help
We offer a wide range of DDA and access related services, from initial examination of service provision, through access auditing, project delivery to the production of final audit trails as evidence of compliance.
Whilst we have developed several survey models, response plans and priority scales on larger portfolios we always suggest a pilot study and review prior to undertaking a full programme of audits. This ensures that recurring features which constitute branding or retail identity are dealt with consistently and with the understanding of the client.s
Our staff are accredited by the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) and have extensive DDA experience in all sectors.
The tailored audit
The tailored audit examines all issues raised during the survey, usually in a "walk through" manner - tracking the end user's journey from arrival to departure. The audit examines elements of service delivery in addition to physical structures and landscaping.
Finding solutions
Solutions are detailed against each issue and in circumstances where physical changes are impractical or beyond reasonable means, a managed solution may be suggested. Where an issue cannot be resolved the solutions that were considered are detailed along with the prohibitive factors. The resultant audit trail can be retained and updated as evidence that the client's obligations have been met.
We offer design, planning, procurement, project and programme management services in relation to DDA as well as advising design teams as a specialist consultant. Such advice seeks to maximise benefits to users with disabilities and minimise barriers to equal service provision whilst generating maximum value from the funds available in a commercially aware manner.
We have developed centres of excellence for access related services and a national network of access auditors. These surveyors are experienced in the interpretation of the legislation, the full spectrum of construction technology, the knowledge of physical impairments and the constraints of the built environment in relation to them. We also have surveyors with extensive experience of designing and amending buildings to provide ‘access for all'.
We have developed strategic response plans to help a variety of clients meet DDA requirements. This has included working closely with various stakeholders including retail, property, disability forums and human resource departments.
Measured surveys can be undertaken to produce CAD plans in AutoCAD or other formats. The completed drawings can be used as a basis for DDA designed solutions as well as asset management, space planning, facilities management and a wide range of other purposes.