We are committed to providing accessible inclusive design guidance for people who need it. This section answers some of our most common queries.
Our services
- What consultancy services does CAE provide?
- What is an access audit?
- Do you produce access audit checklist templates?
- Do you provide guidance on accessible housing or home adaptations?
- I am an RCOT member – how do I get my discount for the Wheelchair Housing Guide?
- How do I become an access auditor ?
Resources
- Where can I find the UK standards for accessibility?
- Where can I find out more about disability rights and the Equality Act 2010?
- Where can I find access equipment suppliers?
- Where can I find a casework service or legal support for a claim?
- How do I make a complaint under the Equality Act 2010?
- My question isn’t listed here, how do I get help?
If your question is not found here, please contact us.
Q: What consultancy services does CAE provide?
A: For over 50 years, CAE has been helping organisations to improve accessibility in buildings and environments. We deliver a wide range of expert access consultancy services including (but not limited to):
- Access audits.
- Design appraisals.
- Access statements.
Contact us or see our consultancy pages for further information.
Q: What is an access audit?
A: An access audit is a formal assessment of the barriers and inclusive features a building or environment has, and their impact on a wide range of potential users, including disabled people with mobility, cognitive and sensory impairments. Our access audits provide recommendations benchmarked to legislative drivers and standards – including national building standards, best practice and compliance with Equality Act 2010. In short, an access auditor uses their in-depth understanding of inclusive design to explain what changes are reasonable for you to make, as required by law, building standards and other design guidance. Back to top
Q: Do you produce access audit checklist templates?
A. For queries regarding access audit checklist templates, please email us and we will be in touch.
Q: Do you provide consultancy or resources on accessible housing or home adaptations?
A: CAE provides expert consultancy on home adaptations to clients through our design appraisal service – we reference a multitude of guidance including the Lifetime Homes standard (Wales and Northern Ireland), the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide, and Category 2 and 3 of Part M of the Building Regulations.
Please contact us for more information.
CAE and Habinteg produced the following technical design guidance publications which are available for purchase on our website:
See also Habinteg’s policy and research on unmet housing needs and the allocation of accessible homes, including our toolkits for local authorities.
Q. I am an RCOT member – how do I get my discount for the Wheelchair Housing Guide?
A. To order a copy with a RCOT membership discount, confirm your invoice and delivery address by emailing info@cae.org.uk and we will generate an invoice for you. The discount can’t be applied via our online shop.
Q: How do I become an access auditor ?
A. While there isn’t a specific qualification needed to carry out audits, our immensely popular and comprehensive Access Auditing and the Equality Act course is widely recognised in this industry as the best way to kickstart a career and widen your auditing skillset.
The National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) offers formal accreditation for access auditors and access consultants in the UK – to gain membership, applicants must undertake a robust two-stage application process involving hands-on experience and continuous professional development. All CAE’s associate consultants are NRAC-accredited or have an equivalent level of expertise and experience.
Q: Where can I find UK standards for accessibility?
A: General dimensions, layouts and measurements can be found in building regulations, such as the Approved Document to Part M (now in two parts), (in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Technical Handbooks contain information on accessibility.)
British Standard BS 8300: Design of buildings and their. approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of Practice provides detailed guidance and ergonomic standards. Available to purchase from the British Standards Institute.
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Q: Where can I find out more about disability rights and the Equality Act 2010?
A: The Equality and Human Rights Commission provide a range of free online guidance and documents
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Q: Where can I find access equipment suppliers?
A: The Disabled Living Foundation offers a range of advice on services such as access equipment. Enabled by Design is a community/peer-led website reviewing and rating new and useful products that are easy to use.
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Q: Where can I find a casework service or legal support for a claim?
A: Unfortunately we don’t provide a casework service or offer specific legal support. You can contact the Disability Law Service for this type of service.
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Q: How do I make a complaint under the Equality Act 2010?
A: There are discrimination questionnaire forms and guidance available from the UK Government’s website: Information on making a complaint under the Equality Act 2010.
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Q: My question isn’t listed here, how do I get help?
A: If you have a question or query and cannot find the answer on our website, please get in touch.
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