Monday 25 April 2016

Access Groups Support for Accessibility to Buildings and Environments

Access Groups within Powys, are keen to promote their existence and support available to organisations, with accessibility to buildings and environments.

Access Groups aim to improve access to buildings, services and information, and make a positive contribution to our communities, ensuring accessibility for all.

Operated by volunteers with physical disabilities, sensory impairments and varied life experiences including building, design, occupation therapy and nursing. Montgomeryshire Access Group meet monthly and Brecknock Access Group has local committees covering Brecon, Ystradgynlais and Builth Wells. Plans are underway to redevelop an Access Group for Radnorshire.

Disability Powys organised a two day Access Group training course in February and March with funding from the Big Lottery, where over 20 volunteers attended. The training focused on Access Audits, Plan Appraisals and Inclusive Design and was delivered by inclusion and sustainability consultants Access Design Solutions

Access Group support can be provided on buildings under construction or refurbishments, including railway station toilet block, health centres, public buildings, housing, streets, shops and places of entertainment.

Access and Outreach Worker Hayley Beavan said ‘We wish to promote the existence of local Access Groups, to statutory and voluntary organisations and businesses. Service providers are more likely to be able to comply with their duty, and make reasonable adjustments if they audit barriers, work with disabled people and make reasonable adjustments. Access Groups can help them with this process’.

For further information on Access Groups and volunteering, contact Hayley Beavan at hbeavan@disabillitypowys.org.uk or 0749527102 Plans are underway to redevelop an Access Group for Radnorshire.

Plans are underway to redevelop an Access Group for Radnorshire

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