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Access Audits
An Access Audit is a method of examining an existing building or environment to determine feasibility of use for disabled people who may be employees, members of the public or visitors.
An audit is normally completed by carrying out a walk over survey which includes a thorough assessment of the use of the building, existing access features and barriers both physical and managerial. The results of the audit are compiled in a comprehensive written report with recommendations that relate to criteria which has been agreed with the client. The recommendations are detailed but realistic and cover access improvements as well as changes to management procedures and maintenance programme.
The recommendations are made in conjunction with budgets and reasonable provision depending on the service provider. Priorities and costings help the client to establish the implementation of the results over a period of time in the form of an action plan. An action plan should set out an implementation strategy for the results of the audit report which can be achieved over a realistic time frame.
An audit is often completed as a sequential journey through a building which includes examining the public transport links, car parking, external approach, entrances, horizontal circulation, vertical circulation, sanitary facilities, building facilities, communication systems, signage & wayfinding, acoustics, lighting and colour contrast. It is essential to also examine the emergency egress systems as disabled people need accessible routes out of a building as well as accessible routes in.
All disabilities should be considered during the audit process which includes people with mobility impairments, sensory impairments, degenerative conditions, cognitive impairments and hidden disabilities such as Learning Disabilities.
In order to carry out an audit an access consultant should have a good understanding of disability and acknowledge the challenges that certain environments have for people with particular disabilities. A consultant also needs to have an understanding of building construction and of how to identify practical and appropriate design solutions.
Justine Embleton is a consultant member of the National Register of Access Consultants which is the only accredited association in the UK for access consultants and auditors.
The Embleton Consultancy has experience of auditing a wide range of environments including museums, auction houses, casinos, government offices, churches, education buildings, business premises, corporate offices.
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