Equality/Disability Access Audit

An Equality/Disability Access Audit ensures that your premises are compliant with the Equalities Act 2010. This legislation covers the discrimination that many disabled people face and affects virtually everyone who provides goods, facilities and services to the general public whether paid for or not (referred to as “service providers”). It is the duty of the service provider to make reasonable adjustments to their premises or working arrangements if these substantially disadvantage a disabled employee or disabled member of the public.

The duty is ‘anticipatory’. This means you cannot wait until a disabled person wants to use your services, but must think in advance (and on an ongoing basis) about what disabled people with a range of impairments might reasonably need, such as people who have a visual impairment, a hearing impairment, mobility impairment or a learning disability.

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 8.6 million disabled persons spending an estimated 50 billion pounds a year.

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.

A report of prioritised recommendations will be supplemented by digital photographs, as appropriate, and will identify issues and practical recommendations according to their compliance with Equality Act legislation, Codes of Practice and Building Regulations.

Please contact us for more information.