Adept Newsletter - Issue 3
Disability Equality & Generic Access
According to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and amendment 2005 you have a duty to anticipate the access requirements of disabled people taking part in your service or employment. By implementing the following generic access/adjustments you will be fulfilling this duty and progressing your agenda on inclusion.
Generic Access
Visual access: printed
or displayed communication, signage, website (e.g.
font size, contrast, graphic-supported text); colour contrast of doors
and furniture
Auditory access: spoken communication, telephones, meeting rooms, website (e.g. audio versions, voice synthesiser, read-aloud, browse-aloud for websites, amplified telephones, low background noise, induction loops)
Tactile access: tactile communication, signs, keyboards (e.g. braille, handrails, layout of rooms and buildings)
Physical access: moving around, materials and equipment (e.g. doorways, easy-to-open doors, adjustable seats with arm and back support, accessible toilet, loose-bind materials, usable controls)
Time: pace or timing (e.g. slower pace, sent in advance, longer time to complete activity, lift door opening time minimum of 20 seconds)
Language: spoken or visual communication (e.g. BSL language interpreter, Makaton, plain-language, picture-supported language)
Affective: feeling welcome
and invited (e.g. respectful treatment, anticipated access, individual
requirements met, not marginalised,
consulted)
Good Practice
- Carry out an access audit
of your service and employment
- Focus on access (usability) and not impairment (personal) (see
Newsletter Issue 1)
- Plan budgets for consultations and adjustments
- Involve disabled people and/or organisations of disabled people in making
generic adjustments
- Quality check the usability of your generic access
- Inform and publish what is accessible and what is not
- Set up accessible feedback and consultation
Written by Eileen Finch of Adept -
April
2007