Access Audits

An access audit is the term used to describe the process by which a building or organisation is evaluated for its accessibility for disabled people.  By commissioning an audit, you are creating a route map for change - with a view on what your organisation does well and where attention needs to be focused for improvement.  A checklist for an access audit, along with the contact details of recommended auditors, can be found lower down this page.

An access audit will:

• Identify barriers.
• Provide an impartial view and can reinforce anecdotal evidence.
• Provide a valuable tool for prioritisation – quick, inexpensive, changing behaviour and practice.
• Demonstrate an organisation has a commitment and planning system to show ‘reasonable adjustments’.
• Improve usage and spending of the 10 million disabled people and their families.

Engaging the access auditor

Before engaging an access audit company, here are some key questions to ask:

• Do they have an appropriate qualification and can they provide you with the contact details for the last three audits undertaken?
• Do they have good, recent knowledge of legislation and standards?
• Do they have a full understanding of the access statement process?
• Do they produce a user-friendly report (legally binding) with full recommendations?
• Do they apply the relevant Codes of Practice?
• Do they carry out the full range of measurements – eg gradients, lighting?
• Do they appreciate the whole range of disability issues – eg signage?
• Do they understand ‘inclusion’, particularly around service provision?
• Do they ensure the audit has been scoped accurately?
• Do they meet and ensure discussions prior to engagement and get the client’s perspective?

For an access audit to work for your hall, you need to have a good understanding of why you are doing one and who is likely to provide the most useful audit.  A clear and comprehensive brief to the auditor is an essential starting point. Investing sufficient time and resources in the audit process and implementing its recommendations, are key ingredients to success.

Before selecting the type of audit or the person/organisation to undertake your audit, you need to decide what you want to achieve from it by addressing the following factors:

1. If the audit is designed to improve access generally, you need an audit which covers a range of issues relating to policy, procedures and practice.
2. If the audit is for a funder, you will need to follow their recommended format or find an auditor who can take into account the criteria for the funding – eg conservation, heritage, social enterprise, capacity building.
3. If the audit has to influence decision makers, professionalism and presentation are paramount.
4. If the audit is part of a large building refit or re-development, the auditor should be familiar with architectural and design issues.  They need to be able to respond to building inspection recommendations.

Depending on the type of audit you commission, and before any work starts, you should make it quite clear in the brief what will and will not be covered.  Check the auditor has a recognised qualification or is registered with a professional body (eg Centre for Accessible Environments).  You cannot assume an access auditor is competent to do the work just because he/she is an architect, designer, surveyor or builder.

Types of audit:

There are generally two types of audit, both of which can be undertaken prior to planning (ie at the design stage):

1.      Full Access Audit

This involves a full and detailed appraisal of accessibility within and around a building and its environment, judges against pre-determined criteria (BS 8300 and Part M Standards). The appraisal includes a report which outlines the accessibility, makes recommendations for improvement (where necessary) and identifies areas which have not been designed in detail and/or require further design guidance. 

Cost:  £200 - £500 for an average size village hall

Living Options Devon ‘Full’ Audit – approximately £200
Contact:  Living Options
Tel:  01392 459 222 info@livingoptionsdevon.org

Lois Rose Consultants –  approximately £300
Contact:  Lois Rose
Tel: 01308 421 066

2.      A Walk and Talk Audit  

This involves a less detailed approach and is designed to give more of an indication of the ‘hot spots’ of inaccessibility.  It includes a visit and a short report on the issues along with the relevant recommendations.  As with a full access audit, a ‘Walk and Talk’ judges on pre-determined criteria (BS 8300 and Part M Standards).  However, it does not include measurements and does not ensure compliance.  It includes indicators for policy, procedure and practice (including staff attitude and behaviours towards disability. 

Cost:  £50 - £200 for an average size village hall

CCD ‘Walk & Talk’ Audit - £50
Contact:  Yvonne Pope, Living Options
Tel: 01392 459 222 or info@livingoptions.org

There is no VAT charged on access works – see below:

‘Building, supply and fitting of access equipment (including auxiliary aids like grab rails, ramp, hearing loop, lift etc) in a building, or part of a building, used principally for charitable purposes ‘for facilitating a disabled person’s entry or movement within, is zero rated (covered by VATA 1994, Schedule 8, Item 9).’

HM Revenue & Customs

Funding assistance

If your rural hall is thinking of developing its services or activities for older people and/or disabled people, the Community Council of Devon is able to provide a one-off payment of £250 per hall towards the cost of the access audit.

Eligibility is based on attendance at a CCD Access workshop and a relevant access audit.

For further information please contact DACB.
Tel:  01392 38 3443 or admin@dacb.org.uk

For more information on funding available and other grants and schemes, go to the funding section of this site xxxxx

Good Practice in Rural Community Buildings:  Activities & Services

Do you have a service or activity in your hall which is unusual and successful, which you are willing to share with other halls?  We can promote these for you and, at the same time, provide ideas and inspiration to other halls.  We are looking for activities, clubs, volunteer schemes, outreach services (eg post office, chiropody), drop in sessions, classes, buddy schemes, or any rural community initiatives. 

To discuss, please contact:
DACB – 01392 38 3443 or admin@dacb.org.uk