Access

Disability Solutions

Access

Our Access Consultancy is lead by Guy Davies. Guy has completed 2 courses at the World renowned Centre for Accessible Environments (www.cae.org.uk) in London, and is presently working towards his MSc in Accessibility & Inclusive Design through the University of Salford in Manchester (www.surface.salford.ac.uk). Our Access Auditors work to international best practices in the spheres of Accessibility & Universal / Inclusive Design, adapted for the African environment.

Wikipedia defines Universal Design as:

Universal design is a relatively new paradigm that emerged from "barrier-free" or "accessible design" and "assistive technology." Barrier free design and assistive technology provide a level of accessibility for people with disabilities but they also often result in separate and stigmatizing solutions, for example, a ramp that leads to a different entry to a building than a main stairway. Universal design strives to be a broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just people with disabilities. Moreover, it recognizes the importance of how things look. For example, while built up handles are a way to make utensils more usable for people with gripping limitations, some companies introduced larger, easy to grip and attractive handles as feature of mass produced utensils. They appeal to a wide range of consumers.

As life expectancy rises and modern medicine has increased the survival rate of those with significant injuries, illnesses and birth defects, there is a growing interest in universal design. There are many industries in which universal design is having strong market penetration but there are many others in which it has not yet been adopted to any great extent.

What is Access?

Accessibility does not just imply wheelchair access, but encompasses all disabilities, including physical impairments, sensory impairments, mental impairments, the aged, etc.

Our service in this area may be broken down into 3 main areas:

	Access Audits
	Access Consulting
	Specialised Access Equipment

Access is about:

How people approach buildings, get in, move around and leave.

How people obtain goods, use services and facilities.

How employers and service providers communicate.

Access Audits

An Access Audit is a detailed analysis of the existing access of any building, site, establishment, facility, including buildings plans, blueprints and architectural drawings, etc.

These audits are carried out using internationally recognised benchmarks, current building regulations, and codes of practice. Auditors are accredited and trained by the Centre for Accessible Environments in London.

This provides an essential planning tool to be used in the pursuit of legislative requirements. The audit prevents un-strategic, ad hoc, or uninformed attempts to addressing inaccessible environments, thus saving time and money.

An Access Audit produces a clear, illustrated, very detailed report which may include the following areas:

Approach, routes and street furniture

Car parking

External ramps

External steps

Entrances

Reception areas and lobbies

Corridors

Internal doors

Internal ramps

Internal stairs

Lifts

Platform lifts and stairlifts

WCs: general provision

WCs: wheelchair users

Internal surfaces

Facilities

Wayfinding

Lighting

Acoustics

Means of escape

Building management

Access Solutions

The three types of access solutions are interlinked:

Management solutions are usually the least costly and least likely to cause disruption.

Aids & Equipment usually mean comparatively minor works & adjustments.

Building Solutions may be the most costly but economically more effective in the long run.

Access Consulting

Typically this would follow on from an Access Audit. Here we address any problems highlighted by the audit and recommend:

Adaptations.

Procedural changes.

Specialised equipment (see below).

We also offer a "Specialised Clerk of Works" to ensure that any changes or recommendations are carried out "right, first time" thereby avoiding delays, extra costs, or incorrect changes.

We are also able to provide ongoing consulting, to assist with any future modifications.

Specialised Equipment

We can assist clients in sourcing or even installing specialised equipment. We work closely with a variety of different manufacturers both home and abroad, to ensure that the precise needs of our clients are met. The type of equipment may include:

Induction Loops.

Signage

Car controls

Computer programmes

Grab handles and rails

Lifts (including chairlifts and stairlifts)

Reference Accounts

Our clients have included: