Disability Access Audits

Access Audits are a useful means of assessing the current state of accessibility and usability of buildings by disabled people. Buildings that have been designed or adapted to meet the access needs of people with different disabilities are likely to be more flexible and make it easier for employers and service providers to fulfil their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The purpose of an access audit is to establish how well a particular building performs in terms of access and ease of use by a wide range of potential users, including people with mobility and sensory impairments. The audit gives a snapshot of a building at any point in its life, highlighting areas for improvement thereby making it an essential tool in producing an access action plan.

The audit itself will cover the building shell, fixtures and fittings, furniture and equipment and finally how the building is used. The auditor will use a range of checklists each dealing with an element of the building or its setting. Normally the general order will be to look at the approach to the building (approach routes, car parks etc.); the entrance (access ramps, reception areas); moving around inside the building and using facilities (corridors, lifts, WCs, lighting, surfaces etc.); getting out of the building (means of escape) and finally building management.