South Yorkshire CentreACCESS
Aims of the Service
To promote the provision of accessible environments and services to enable and facilitate the rights of disabled people (adults and children) to achieve their full potential and enter into the public, social, intellectual, business and leisure life of their communities without unnecessary barriers.
Objectives
- To raise awareness amongst employers and service providers of their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act
- Advise public and private bodies on matters to do with access
- Promote in new and existing buildings the incorporation of good design features
- Promote good employment practices relating to disabled people
- Set up a comprehensive Access Action Group
Access Audits
With over 8.5 million disabled people and an increasing elderly population it becomes ever more important that buildings, whether shops, offices, cinemas, museums, benefits offices, church halls, community centres or train stations are designed for optimum ease of use.
An accessible environment enables all people, including disabled people to participate fully in the life of the community and achieve their full potential.
Many access improvements have been made to buildings in recent years but more still needs to be done. Access however is not only about physical characteristics. Attitudes and the lack of understanding of the needs of disabled people are often highlighted as barriers to inclusion in every day society.
Evidence suggests that a number of barriers; lack of sensitivity to culture and traditions, language & communication barriers, poor access to information, separation of race & disability prevents Disabled Black & minority ethnic people from accessing services.
If you are a Service Provider NOW is the time to have an access audit done. For further information phone (01302) 892949.