Asa Hems is the Access Advisor for CAE’s Access and Sustainability Advisor Service (ASAS) – a free service funded by the City Bridge Foundation that offers advice to London-based voluntary and community groups looking to improve access to their buildings. In this blog, Asa says that charities and not-for-profits often assume that achieving better accessibility will be costly, but that’s not the case. There are actually many affordable ways to break down barriers for disabled people that won’t break the bank.
Through my work for ASAS, I’ve seen firsthand how small charities often feel overwhelmed by the perceived costs of improving accessibility.
But accessibility isn’t something that happens quickly; it’s a journey. While major structural renovations are sometimes necessary, there are low-cost – or even free – quick wins that small charities can carry out which can transform how disabled people navigate their organisation. And I’m going to share them with you.
Information is inclusion
Many disabled people spend hours planning how to get to a new location or venue, so one of the most powerful things you can do is to provide information on what they can expect in terms of travelling to the venue and the venue itself, and it costs nothing.
By creating a dedicated “Access” page on your website, you’ll provide vital reassurance. Include:
- Details about nearby transport services and parking. For example, provide details on the location of the nearest accessible bus stop or if there are parking spaces nearby that Blue Badge holders can use for free.
- Information on whether the front entrance of your venue has a step, even if it’s small one. It’s better for someone to know so they can organise additional help or manage expectations.
- Photos of the front door, the hallway, and the toilet, as they can help someone decide if they can navigate your space independently. It’s important not to make prejudgements about the needs and requirements of others.
Make simple adjustments
If you don’t have funds for an access audit, you can still make changes to your premises to make it easier for disabled people to navigate it. You can:
- Ensure that hallways and aisles are free of clutter such as boxes, bins, and decorative items such as potted plants. A clear path of at least 1200mm (about four feet) allows most wheelchair users and people with mobility aids to move more freely.
- Use high-visibility tape (which often costs just a few pounds from a DIY shop) to mark the edges of steps or the ends of handrails and ensure it isn’t a trip hazard by securing it flush with the surface. This helps people with sight loss to try and navigate level changes more safely.
- Support neurodivergent visitors or those with sensory processing needs by creating a designated ‘quiet hour’ with a specific time each week for a ‘quiet time or service’ where lights are dimmed, and noise is kept to a minimum.
Communication and people power
When you’re giving information to your service users, use plain English and avoid jargon. Writing in clear, simple inclusive language benefits everyone, including people with learning disabilities and those for whom English is a second language. Even better, invite disabled and older people to give their views and get involved on how your services and building could be improved.
The biggest barrier to inclusion by far is often people’s attitudes, rather than physical things.
Disability awareness training courses can give your staff and/or volunteers a better understanding of the experiences, needs, and rights of disabled people. Even something as simple as holding a team meeting to discuss how to offer disabled people assistance respectfully can make a world of difference.
You can learn more about ASAS by heading to our webpage.
Read Asa’s blog on how design features and regular maintenance can improve the useability of public parks for everyone, including disabled people.