Disability Access Audit Reports
Make 'Reasonable Adjustments'
Under The Equality Act 2010 you have to act upon the results of an access audit carried out by a suitably qualified person
Disability Access Audit Reports
Disability access audits also known as a DDA audit, Equality Act Audit or Disability Accessibility Audit Reports are comprehensive assessments conducted to evaluate and identify barriers that may hinder accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- These audits aim to ensure that buildings, facilities, and services are inclusive and comply with accessibility standards and regulations.
- By undertaking a disability access audit, service providers can ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Equality Act and providing accessible services for all.
- An Access Audit carried out by ESL will assess what ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ are required under The Equality Act 2010.
- Our Access Audit Reports will set out clear and detailed recommendations and priorities.
Our friendly staff will then take your details and your Access Auditor will contact you to make an appointment at a convenient date for both parties.
One of our experienced Access Auditors will visit the premises and will carry out an assessment of the arranged site as well as your management and service practices.
The Access Auditor will inspect the following:
- The external environment including the arrival experience and approach.
- Entrance and reception area.
- Horizontal circulation and vertical circulation (lifts and stairs).
- And many other factors covered by the legislation.
Here are some key points about disability access audits:
Purpose: The primary purpose of a disability access audit is to determine whether a location or service is accessible and inclusive for individuals with disabilities. It helps identify areas that need improvement and provides recommendations for making necessary changes.
Legal Requirements: Disability access audits often focus on compliance with local, national, and international accessibility laws and standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States or the Equality Act in the United Kingdom. These laws mandate that buildings and services be accessible to everyone.
Scope: Disability access audits can cover a wide range of areas, including physical infrastructure, communication methods, policies and procedures, digital accessibility, transportation, and emergency evacuation plans. The scope of the audit depends on the specific context and requirements.
Methodology: Audits typically involve site visits and inspections conducted by qualified accessibility experts or consultants. They assess various aspects, such as entrances, ramps, elevators, signage, doorways, parking facilities, restroom facilities, lighting, and communication aids. The audit may also involve interviews with staff members and individuals with disabilities.
Audit Report: The outcome of a disability access audit is typically a comprehensive report detailing the findings, recommendations, and priorities for accessibility improvements. The report may include photographs, diagrams, and measurements to support the assessments. It helps stakeholders understand the current state of accessibility and provides guidance on necessary modifications.
Implementation of Recommendations: Once the audit report is complete, organizations or building owners can use it as a roadmap for implementing the recommended accessibility improvements. These may include physical modifications, policy changes, staff training, or the adoption of assistive technologies.
Ongoing Compliance: Accessibility is an ongoing process, and it is crucial to periodically review and reassess the accessibility of a facility or service. Regular audits help ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards and regulations.
Disability Access Statement or Strategy
An Access Statement or Strategy is a description of how inclusive design principles and practice can be incorporated into a particular project or development, and subsequently maintained and managed.
Access Statements have been used successfully for some time in planning applications for large, high-profile schemes.
The use of Access Statements is now formally recommended in Planning and Access for Disabled People
Why should I have an Access Audit carried out?
The Equality Act 2010
Under The Equality Act 2010 and the latest relevant legislation you have to act upon the results of an access audit carried out by a suitably qualified person.
- That person should have the Relevant Qualifications or be Degree Qualified as there are many factors which have to be considered.
Legal Requirement
It is a Legal Requirement of the Equality Act to have an Access Audit carried out; infact, the code of conduct states the following:
All service providers must act upon the recommendations of an access audit carried out by a suitably qualified person
Protection against Claims of Discrimination
Service Providers have to make ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ to the way they offer their services to people with disabilities to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.
- A Service Provider is someone who provides a service to the public whether it be a Publican, Hairdresser, Hotelier, Shopkeeper or Food Takeaway Proprietor.
- The Act asks that every Service Provider does what is called ‘Reasonable Adjustment’s’ and the first thing to do is have an Access Audit carried out and this will determine what ‘Reasonable Adjustment’s’ have to be done.
Service providers are more likely to be able to comply with their duty to make adjustments in relation to identifying and overcoming barriers if they arrange for an access audit of their premises to be carried out.
- An access audit also provides the Owner of the Premises with their report, which states what is currently compliant and what further actions need to be carried out to comply with the current legislation.
- Acting on the results of such an evaluation may reduce the likelihood of legal claims against the service provider for discriminating against disabled customers.
'Reasonable Adjustments'
‘Reasonable Adjustments’ are identified by having your access audit carried out, and they can be something like Assistive Listening Technology (Induction Hearing Loops), Access Ramps or Signage.
- Service providers are required to make changes, where needed, to improve service for disabled customers, staff or potential customers.
- For you not to carry out ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ would be deemed unlawful.
Purple Pound
The Purple Pound refers to the spending power of disabled households.
A disabled household is a household in which at least one of the members has a disability.
- Organisations are missing out on the business of disabled consumers due to poor accessibility (both physical and digital) and not being disability confident in their customer services approach.
- Less than 10% of businesses have a targeted plan to access this disability market.
- This alone highlights the commercial opportunities available for organisations and highlights the lack of accessibility currently in place for disabled people.
Keeping you Informed and Compliant
An ESL Services Audit puts you in control and ESL will keep you informed and compliant with any legislative changes for the next five years.
This will identify what ‘reasonable adjustments’ you must carry out and ensure you will meet your obligations under Part III of the DDA 1995 and 2004 as amended, BS8300:2018 Parts 1-2, Part M of the building regulations and also the Equality Act 2010.
General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
It will also help toward the Guidelines of the GPhC Principles.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the independent regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises in Great Britain.
Assisting Your Business
An Access Audit carried out by ESL will give you peace mind knowing that we will ensure that your Business is in safe hands and that we will be on hand to assist you with anything that you may require not only with the Access Audit but with any DDA and other relevant Legislation.
The cost of this Access Audit really is a unique price for your peace of mind and to assist your Business in a way that you meet your obligations under the DDA and The Equality Act 2010.
Making 'Reasonable Adjustments'
With ESL Services – this is actually quite a simple process; we will assist you with an audit which will identify the adjustments you can make to ensure you comply with The Equality Act 2010 & DDA.
And as a company with over 16 year’s experience in this area we can provide you with everything that you need to comply and ensure everything is correctly configured to assist your customers with disabilities.
To arrange an audit, follow our simple 1 – 5 step guide:
STEP ONE - Arrange an Audit
To arrange your access audit, please contact us and our friendly staff will then take your details, the property details and our Access Auditor will contact you to make an appointment at a convenient date for both parties.
- sales@esl-services.co.uk
- 01506 412791
STEP TWO - Access Audits & Surveys
One of our experienced Access Auditors will visit the premises and will carry out an assessment of the arranged site as well as your management and service practices.
Evacuation Chair and Stair Climber Survey:
- The Evacuation Chair and Stair Climber Survey will provide our clients with a tailored solution for evacuation chairs or stair climbers.
Assistive Listening Survey:
- The assistive listening survey is a comprehensive survey of your premises under the Equality Act 2010 and BS8300-2:2018 13.2 to assess the best assistive listening system for the relevant location.
STEP THREE - Audit Report with Recommendations
Once the Audit has been completed you will receive a user-friendly, detailed copy of the report in a digital format.
- The report will identify the necessary recommendations for change, the “reasonable adjustments” that you will have to make to assist your Customers.
- A helpful guide based on the immediate changes recommended with each change and possible supplier.
A service provider must take reasonable steps to provide auxiliary aids or services if this would enable (or make it easier for) disabled people to make use of any services.
By making these adjustments you will not only be assisting your customers but, you will be working towards complying with the Equality Act 2010.
To help you plan and resource adjustments, recommendations will be:
- Prioritised
- Costs and Suppliers suggested
STEP FOUR - Supply, Installation and Training
If there are any requirements for equipment or training courses, ESL Services have over 17 years experience, we will provide you with the best advice and high quality bespoke equipment and training to adhere to the current legislation.
Assistive Listening Systems:
- Assistive listening systems enable sound signals to be transmitted to people who are Deaf and hard of hearing, without interference from background noise or reverberation.
- Assistive listening systems include counter induction loops, Room Loops, infrared or radio transmission systems.
Evacuation Chairs & Stair Climbers:
We supply a range of ergonomically designed Evacuation Chairs and Stair Climbers that provide assistance in an emergency situation or in a scenario when passenger lifts are inoperable and therefore provide a safe, comfortable and secure way of evacuation for a person with a mobility impairment.
- We will supply what best suits the premises and your companies needs.
- We can also provide on-site training for your staff to equip them with the knowledge needed.
Access Ramps and Platforms:
Access ramps are used to allow people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users to access your premises free from barriers.
- Installing a fixed ramp is not always possible.
- The use of a mobile or portable ramp will be next step to provide the ‘reasonable adjustments’ and the necessary access to your premises.
Our Training Courses:
- ESL Services believe that the provision of accessibility is not only physical but educational as well.
- We deliver a dynamic and comprehensive face-to-face training.
- Each training session or package can be tailored to address different areas of activity, any staff concerns and outcomes.
- This will provide you with the tools your business needs to become not only disability smart but compliant with legislation.
STEP FIVE – Keeping You Informed
As a valued Customer to ESL Services we will keep you up to date with any changes during the 5 Year period that your Access Audit is validated for.
