Disabled Access Audits provide valuable information regarding barriers to access for disabled people

9th January 2018

As a society, we frequently fail in our duty of care to people with disabilities, and as a result disabled people are regularly unable to gain access to all types of public buildings, shops, and transport.

Since the introduction of the Equality Act 2010, people are more protected in the workplace and in the wider community.  The Act incorporates and replaces legislation from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Act applies to all service providers (those who provide goods, facilities or services to the general public whether paid for or not), to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ when providing access to goods, facilities, services and premises or working arrangements – if these would otherwise disadvantage a disabled employee or member of the public.

The duty to make reasonable adjustments is ‘anticipatory’, which means that the service provider must not wait until a disabled person wants to use their services but must identify in advance (and review regularly), what barriers disabled persons with a range of impairments might face and carry out reasonable adjustments where necessary and appropriate.

By carrying out a Disability Access Audit, you can ensure that your premises are compliant with the Equalities Act 2010.

What are the benefits?

An access audit will:

  • identify barriers to access;
  • provide an independent perspective on areas that may need attention;
  • give clear guidance on what is required to meet current legislation;
  • reduce the risk of a civil claim, associated costs and protect reputation, and;
  • benefit all employees, customers and families and open access to a large potential market of over 13 million disabled persons. (DWP Family Resources Survey 2015/2016)

Proactive compliance can also make an asset more desirable, having a positive impact on rent values and property sales.

How can the S2 Partnership help?

The S2 Partnership offers:

  • a common sense and flexible approach;
  • the services of professional, highly-qualified and experienced assessors;
  • desk top assessments of proposals;
  • an examination of a building; its facilities and services, against pre-determined criteria to assess its ease of use by disabled people;
  • production of a detailed action plan; and
  • an easy solution to meeting the requirements of the Equality Act.

Please contact us for more information.