Access Audits And What To Do With Them?

Top tips for using an Access Audit. To date I have completed more than 1000 audits of all kinds of different properties but the truth is, for every client who contacts me to talk through the required works or even to ask me to design and manage them there are at least 10 who I never hear from again.

This leads me to assume that there are hundreds of access audits sat on dusty shelves somewhere which are being ignored. Simply having an access audit done does not provide any protection to you under the DDA. Acting upon it is what counts.Thus I have set out below some tips for clients who have had an audit:

1. Read it! - You really need to read the report 'cover to cover' to gain a full impression of the issues you face and to put each recommendation into context rather than treating each item of work in isolation.

2. If you don't understand any issues raised pick up the phone and ask the consultant to explain. Consultants are always happy to spend a few minutes with their clients to talk through issues and I feel that any reputable consultant should be willing to do so.

3. Get a Plan - The access audit should set out the barriers and recommend ways for removing them. It should also give you some idea of cost and prioritization. However as consultants are rarely aware of your business aims, resources and plans it is not generally possible for them to set exact timeframes. Thus you need to take the recommendations and work out a sensible program for the implementation of. Call this what you like but a term you will come across is an Access Action Plan. This should set out what you intend to do and when and you should budget accordingly.

5. Get advice - If you really don't have the time or expertise to write a plan or to implement the works get someone who does to do it for you. Surveyors and architects should be in a good position to advise you on Planning consent, Listed Buildings, Building Regulations and how to go about procuring the works and managing them. If your consultant does not offer this level of advice then contact a local surveyor or architect to help. Make sure they are a member of the RICS or RIBA.

6. Stick to the Plan - When you have a plan, do your best to stick to it. Every business will have to react to changing circumstances and I see no reason why you should not amend your plan to suit but make sure you spread the load of any unforeseen event across all parts of your business rather than simply stopping your access action plan because it seems an 'easy target'. If you do make changes record the reasoning behind them and be prepared to justify them. Be aware you may be asked to defend your actions (or inactions) in a court if an action is brought against you so make sure the changes are justified and record why they were made.

7. Don't forget the human aspect - Audits should identify the human aspects of your service such as staff attitude and disability knowledge. In my experience, every DDA case I have been involved with which has gone to Court or ADR has included an element of poor customer service leading to the disabled person taking their complaint further than they otherwise would of regardless of the physical barrier experienced. Just like any other customer disabled people just want to be treated reasonably thus I see poor disability awareness and etiquette as a high risk area. Building Managers are often property people who focus on the building and so this is an area which is often neglected.

8. Maintain what you have - Finally make sure you maintain the facilities you have and keep training up to date otherwise you may be wasting your money. I have seen the positive effect of well designed adjustive works completely negated as a result of a lack of maintenance and or training.

A few examples:

- Fitting hearing loops only for staff to switch them offFailing to regularly test hearing loops

- Failing to test evacuation chairs and train staff how to use them

In summary the key is to see the access audit as a starting point in making your service more accessible. If you take no action it will not protect you and will simply be a wasted opportunity.

By: Ian Eggleton

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Evans Jones are a DDA Access Audit Consultant, Chartered Surveyor, Planning Consultant, Architecture firm in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Our services include the provision of access audits, green travel plans and planning objections.