What is an Access Audit?

Access Audits are the start to setting up a clearly defined solution ensuring everything within reason is carried out to improve accessibility for all.  DDA Shops access audit consultant Mike Leahy will give you a service you can rely on.  Recommended adaptations will take into account the type and size of your business, and concentrate on areas used for public access; although many organisations are now asking for a general inspection of all areas including those only accessed by staff.

What do our Access Audits offer ?

The comprehensive package we offer includes the following to ensure you know what should be done and why

• Full inspection of the premises
• A thorough written report (including some areas that are already good.)
• Recommended action
• Working with a reasonable budget
• Access Audit Certificate
• Layouts, specs & drawings
• Help in sourcing products

What types of Buildings do we Audit?

Libraries, Tourist Information Centres, Magistrates’ Courts, Public Toilets
Polling Stations, Primary and Comprehensive Schools,
Outdoor Activity Centres, Leisure Centres, Camp Sites
Castles & Museums, Mobile Libraries & Play Buses, Drama  Centres,
Hotels & Guest Houses, Police Stations, Theatres
Many graded buildings. And others too numerous to mention.

How do I commission an Access Audit and what happens next?

It is obviously impossible to respond by e-mail with a quotation for obvious reasons. But we can usually give a pretty accurate figure after a phone call and, if possible, a sighting of A4 outline drawings. If we found there needed to be an adjustment, then we would discuss this prior to carrying out any work. To give you peace of mind, this has never happened, although additional work has been commissioned for additional buildings by several clients.

Once we have spoken with you we will write a formal quotation setting out exactly what we will do and what the costs will be. Once you have agreed this we will arrange a date for the survey and give you an approximate date for completion. We will produce a comprehensive report with clear recommendations using low-cost solutions where possible, all graded so that you know what must be done, what should be done and what is best practise.

When we arrive to carry out an audit we like to sit down with the relevant people to see how the building is used, whether there are specific disabled staff or regular visitors and to set out how we will work. Our aim is to make the process easy, to be as unobtrusive as possible and to ensure we give you the highest standard of service.

New Builds

We have been commissioned to act as access consultants on several prestigious new build projects and are pleased to offer this service. We are not architects or designers. But have found that even with the most knowledgeable architect there have been points that we have raised that have improved access.

We normally have about five meetings during the project:

• We meet the architectural team to discuss the first set of drawings when we can usually offer guidance that can be quickly introduced at no additional cost.
• We look at the final drawings, usually sent to us by post
• We inspect the building once the shell is complete
• We meet with the fit-out designers to discuss detail and offer guidance
• We carry out an access audit on the finished building and produce a final Access Statement.
• During the process we are always available to discuss and advise on any issue. This usually highlights changes or modifications in final fittings, glazing and colour contrast where changes in lighting or improved manifestations can make a huge difference.
   

If you want us to carry out an audit or act as an access consultant in any areas including new builds, or just need some more information please contact us on 0870 242 4862 or email accessaudits@ddashop.com

Listen to our Access Audit PodCast