Access
The Disability Action Access Team work towards the provision of a built environment that is universally accessible.
The Access Team challenge designers, statutory authorities and policy makers to embrace the highest standards of access provision.
The Access Team is made up of professionals qualified in a range of disciplines related to the built environment including architecture, building, estate management, landscape design and planning.
Access Officers are members of the National Register of Access Consultants and are registered on Constructionline.
Access Officers sit on the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) and the British Standards Institute committee B/559 Access to buildings for disabled people.
The Access Team:
- Vette proposed development when submitted for planning approval and advise on how to improve accessibility beyond the minimum standards of the building regulations.
- Provide a technical advice and information service in writing, by telephone or by email.
- Campaign and lobby for legislative changes to drive forward standards
- Support a network of volunteers, local disability organisations, and access forums to achieve change in their local areas.
- Host the Regional Access Committee which brings together individual disabled people, representatives of the disability sector, representatives of the key building-related professional bodies and the main statutory authorities.
- Work closely with statutory agencies, private developers, service providers and the community and voluntary sector.
The Access Team also have a Consultancy Service undertaking research projects and providing access consultancy.
Benefits
- Helps towards legal compliance.
- Informed expert assessment.
- Audit reports providing comprehensive recommendations.
- Technical advice on new projects to avoid expensive modification.
- Maximise business opportunities.
- Accessiblilty can benefit others too – e.g. older people, people with prams and small children.
