Here are some of the questions I am most commonly asked:
What is an access consultant?
An access consultant is a professional advisor on the accessibility of the built environment, auxiliary aids and management policies, practices and procedures. An access consultant will be able to advise you on any ‘reasonable adjustments’ which you should consider to improve the accessibility of your premises and services.
An access consultant should also be able to give you advice on the Codes of Practice associated with the Disability Discrimination Act. However, please note that we are not lawyers and if you are looking for a legal interpretation of the Act itself, please consult your legal team. An access consultant will more than likely be a professional already working in the construction fields of architecture, design and surveying. An access consultant may also have expertise in the field of occupational health.
Since the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) was absorbed into the Equality and Human Rights Committee (EHRC) in 2007, a more inclusive approach is now taken regarding accessibility. This underpins the fact that buildings and services, where reasonable, should be accessible to all people, irrespective of their disability, age, background, faith, sex etc.
How can an access consultant save me money?
A reputable access consultant will advise you on your ‘reasonable duties’ in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). An experienced access consultant may be able to provide you with a range of solutions for one particular barrier to access, from a no/low cost adjustment up to a best practice solution. It is then ultimately down to you as to how you want to move forward.
If you are a charity or service provider with limited funds, there are more often than not improvements that you can make on a very limited budget.
Compliance and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 and 2005
You may have heard people referring to the term DDA compliant. This term is misleading as the Act is not compliance based. There is nothing in the Act saying, for example, that a door has to be a specific width to comply with the Act. However the Act does refer to Part M of the Building Regulations. As a registered Access Consultant I use the design guidance in Approved Document M (2004) of the Building Regulations as the minimum benchmark when auditing existing buildings and for desk top design appraisals of new builds. Alongside Approved Document M, I also use the design guidance in BS 8300 and any other relevant design guidance where necessary.
What is meant by 'Reasonable Adjustments'?
The duty to make reasonable adjustments is a legal responsibility under the DDA. It applies to people such as employers, service providers and education providers and is intended to make sure that disabled people do not face substantial difficulties in employment, education or when using services. Failure to make reasonable adjustments can be a form of discrimination and is unlawful.
The DDA defines a reasonable adjustment as a reasonable step taken to prevent a disabled person suffering a substantial disadvantage compared with people who are not disabled. In the case of employers, for example, the duty applies to any disadvantage caused by a provision, criterion or practice applied by, or on behalf of, the employer, or any physical feature of premises occupied by the employer.
An adjustment, in the context of the DDA, is a change. This can be a physical change or a change in the way something is done.
What is the difference between an NRAC registered access consultant and auditor?
Extracts taken from NRAC website;
NRAC Consultants
NRAC Consultants can make recommendations/provide solutions of a technical and policy nature as well as identifying access problems. They possess a greater degree of construction understanding than NRAC Auditors. They can be engaged by clients as either an Auditor or a Consultant.
An NRAC Consultant provides a professional service as described for NRAC Auditors above and, in addition, is able to provide more detailed technical advice on solutions and strategic advice on policy issues.
An NRAC Consultant is able to seek the advice and input of relevant experts and professionals to further the progress of access related recommendations.
NRAC Auditors
NRAC Auditors have expertise in identifying access problems and give general advice on solutions. They possess a basic knowledge of construction. They provide a professional service to business, public and other undertakings by;
- comprehensively identifying and reporting on access issues as developed in the client brief. These may be audits or appraisals, and may include general advice on solutions.
- providing access related policy/strategy advice, including design appraisals, development of access statements, access plans, access related strategies and policies.
Using his or her professional judgement, an NRAC Auditor should be able to identify the access requirements specific to the physical environment, and within the appropriate legislative context, considering all relevant factors. These will include legal requirements; client needs, best practice guidelines, practicality and user requirements.
