www.access-audits.co.uk

’The aspiration of those providing play facilities must be to create challenges for all and barriers for none. Where totally shared experience is not always possible, then at least opportunities can be created for similar and, if possible, qualitatively equal experience for all children. If every item of play apparatus is not wholly accessible, then more has to be gained from those that are.’
Playgrounds for Children with Special Needs' - RoSPA 2001.

John Hicks & Associates is a wholly owned subsidiary of JOHN HICKS LTD.
Registered in England & Wales
Company Registration Number 4160958
VAT Reg. No. 650 3437 57

The company will undertake ACCESS AUDITS on premises anywhere but generally operates within 100 miles of Birmingham

For PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS and ACCESS AUDITS visit our other web sites @ www.playgroundinspection.co.uk and www.access-audits.co.uk

JOHN HICKS playground inspection is a more reliable Google way in at the moment - don't know why!

and www.rpii-inspector.co.uk

THIS IS THE ONLY COMPANY IN BRITAIN WITH COMPETENCE IN BOTH PREMISES AND PLAYGROUND ACCESS AUDITING SINCE WE HAVE UNIQUE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING IN THESE AREAS.

PLAYGROUND ACCESS AUDITS

If Playground Access Audits is punched into the Google search engine it lists this and our associated site as the first two entries We are really rather pleased about this!

PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS

Google lists us only 10th on page one under this heading so that leaves room for improvement.


John Hicks has completed the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) training programme and has published extensively on this subject as well as playgrounds .

1. Children’s Playgrounds A Guide to the management and Design of Children’s Play space

2. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 - Access to Public Play Space: A Guide to Audit.

3. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995: Community Premises and Village Hall Access Audits

4. Playgrounds for Children with Special Needs. - RoSPA

5. Accessible and Inclusive Play space - currently being rewritten - watch this space

Most recently

6. The Playground Inspection & Maintenance Manual Due for early revision.


CHARGES FOR ACCESS AUDIT SURVEYS ARE LISTED BELOW.

WE DO 'FREEBIES' FOR ORGANISATIONS THAT SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THE FEE BUT EXPENSES ARE CHARGED AT COST.

WE OFFER SPECIAL TERMS TO ANY ORGANISATION OR GROUP SUPPORTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

REGULAR READERS KNOW THAT WE ALSO PROVIDE FREE INSPECTIONS FOR THE NEEDY AND 'SAFE HOUSES'

AS A FURTHER PART OF OUR PLANNED GIVING PROGRAMME IN 2008 AND FOR THE FOLLOWING THREE YEARS THIS FREE SERVICE WAS EXTENDED TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCILS IN FOUR COUNTIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE -

GLOUCESTERSHIRE - NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - OXFORDSHIRE - WARWICKSHIRE

THEY WERE ALL OFFERED A FREE ACCESS AUDIT ON A HALL PAVILION OR SIMILAR BUILDING OR A FREE PLAYGROUND ACCESS AUDIT SAFETY AUDIT AND RISK ASSESSMENT TO GIVE AS A PRIZE FOR THE 'CALOR BEST VILLAGE' IN EACH OF THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
ANY SMALL VILLAGE IN THESE COUNTIES WAS ELIGIBLE AND I LOOKED FORWARD TO UNDERTAKING THE WORK MYSELF IN THE ONE COUNTY WHICH ACCEPTED - NORTHANTS- THE REST DECLINED AND I’VE HEARD NOTHING MORE FROM NORTHANTS.
STRANGE


GUIDANCE

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) each produced advice and guidance on equality issues but their work is now subsumed within the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) set up on 1st October 2007, Papers and policies are still available from the ancestral bodies, notably advice on key issues and full copies of the 1995 and 2005 Acts.


ACCESS AUDITS are not Fire or Health and Safety Risk Assessment Reports. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has however published two booklets:

1. A Guide to Risk Assessment Requirements
2. Five Steps to Risk Assessment.

These publications provide sound and relevant advice for lay persons and can be downloaded from the HSE web site – alternatively a separate risk assessment can be undertaken by the company.

AUDITS are conducted within the published guidelines and priorities of the CAE Designing for Accessibility CAE – ISBN 0 90339756 31 5 and utilise where relevant and appropriate the twenty-one point CAE checklists recommended for the purpose.

PLAYGROUNDS are assessed using the methodology outlined in Accessible and Inclusive Play Space - this has now been adopted by seven local authorities in Britain

Before engaging an auditor consider what you can do yourselves – its cheaper!

FIFTEEN THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND SERVICE

1.Think about who might be at disadvantage

a The elderly
b The very small
c The very large
d Pregnant women
e People who have limited vision or poor hearing and, although they are a minority
f People with walking aids or who are wheelchair users

2.Is the entrance clearly signed and free of obstructions?

3.Is it wide enough? New buildings should have an external door entrance of 800mm clear minimum width while internal doors should be 750mm minimum. Existing buildings should have a minimum clear width of 750mm in external and internal doors.

4.If there is a step up could a ramp, possibly a temporary feature be installed or readily available? Otherwise is there an alternative entrance?

5.Does the door handle provide a good grip, at the appropriate height (900-1130mm) and is the effort needed to move the door at or less than that recommended, 15-30 Newtons. NOTE 10 Newtons are approximately equivalent to 1 Kilogram and so test the door with a weighing spring scale at 2.5 to 3 Kilograms which is roughly 4.5 to a little over 6 pounds .

6.Is it worth considering installing a bell push so that people can seek help in getting into the building?

7.Is there clear and unobstructed headroom throughout the circulation areas and are there any objects protruding into circulation areas?

8.Is there adequate circulation space in aisles and between display sections?

9.Is flooring suitable for the purpose? Loose rugs, highly polished or shiny surfaces and some coir and similar flooring materials can impede or disorientate people with specific disabilities.

10.If relevant consider if shelves and display areas are equally accessible for all customers and is the full range of goods equally accessible?

11.Do signs, bars and notices on grilles and windows prevent people from lip reading?

12.Is lighting and signage appropriate for people with limited vision?

13.Is there a counter or checkout area with knee room for a wheelchair user to utilise in writing cheques or signing card slips?

14.Is access to services such as self operated photocopiers suitable for all customers?

15.Can condoms,tampons or even cigarettes be obtained from a low level such as a wheel chair?

If you find all of this too much to cope with then commission an access audit report.

WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN INSPECTION AND ACCESS AUDITS AT FOUR SEVERN TRENT RESERVOIR PLAYGROUNDS AND VISITOR CENTRES THESE PLACES ARE MAGIC AND WE SHOULD ALL TAKE THE CHILDREN, DOGS AND ELDERLY RELATIVES FOR A DAY OUT THERE - TRY CARSINGTON FIRST

MORE RECENTLY WE HAVE AUDITED

THE ARTHUR RANK CENTRE STONELEIGH
TWENTY PLAYGROUNDS IN OXFORDSHIRE
CITY OF PLYMOUTH'S PLAYGROUNDS
PRIESTLY COLLEGE WARRINGTON
WARWICK DISTRICT COUNCIL'S PLAY AREAS
WARWICKSHIRE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE PREMISES
WINSTANLEY COLLEGE
FIVE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE VILLAGE HALLS
SELLY OAK CAMPUS - UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
BOTANICAL GARDENS PLAY AREA BIRMINGHAM

CHARGES

For an access audit and report the standard fee is set @ £125 PER HALF DAY

If a risk assessment is also required there is an additional fee of £30.

THE MINIMUM CHARGE is £125 but in special cases a risk assessment can be included in this time costed approach.

There are no ‘extras’ or travel costs and charges but
All charges are subject to VAT


Catch up time

THANKS TO THOSE THAT RESPONDED TO EARLIER APPEALS AND SENT MONEY TO WOMEN'S AID @ PO BOX 391 BRISTOL

STILL MORE MONEY IS NEEDED BECAUSE AFTER SUCCESSIVE DRUNKEN FESTIVE ROWS AND CONSEQUENT INJURY (MAINLY BUT NOT ALWAYS TO WOMEN) FLIGHT FOLLOWS AND IT IS THE CHILDREN THAT REALLY SUFFER SO DIG DEEP.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING SO YOU'LL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER AFTER YOU'VE DONE IT.

NOW PUT YOU HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS AND PAY UP - £10 WOULD DO BUT £50 WOULD BE BETTER'
SEND THE CASH NOW BEFORE YOU FORGET.

THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995 (DDA) AND THE NEW, 2005 ACT

Update notes

OCTOBER 1ST 2004 CAME AND WENT AND NOBODY SEEMED TO NOTICE IT

CHANGES SINCE THEN INCLUDE
.·
1. THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS SUCH AS CANCER, HIV AND MS FROM THE TIME OF FIRST DIAGNOSIS.·

2. THE DDA IS EXTENDED TO COVER ASPECTS OF TRANSPORT SERVICES NOT PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED, NOTABLY MANAGEMENT AND IMMEDIATE SERVICE DELIVERY.·

3. PUBLIC SECTOR BODIES ARE REQUIRED TO SEEK TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT AND TO PROMOTE DISABILITY EQUALITY ON SIMILAR TERMS TO THE REQUIREMENT TO PROMOTE RACE EQUALITY UNDER THE RACE RELATIONS ACT (RRA)

4. MOST OF THE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES ARE COVERED BY THE ACT, INCLUDING LETTING OF PREMISES.

5. PRIVATE CLUBS, INCLUDING SPORTS CLUBS WITH MORE THAN 25 MEMBERS, ARE COVERED BY THE ACT.

Some possible outcomes:

1. ALL SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL NEED TO INTRODUCE OR MAKE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS TO POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES RELEVANT TO THEIR SERVICE PROVISION. THIS MIGHT INVOLVE A NEED TO WAIVE OR MODIFY PRESENT TERMS OF USE OR PREMISES AND FACILITIES.·

2. WHERE LIMITS ARE PLACED ON VEHICLE ENTRY OR OTHERWISE AIDED ACCESS, THEN A PERMIT SYSTEM BACKED UP BY ELECTRONIC OR OTHER ‘KEY’ SYSTEMS COULD BE INTRODUCED TO ASSIST SOME VISITORS AND THEIR COMPANIONS IF NECESSARY. ·

3. INFORMATION AND ADVICE POSTED AT ALL ENTRANCES TO SERVICE-PROVIDING AREAS CAN BE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESS ROUTES AS WELL AS ITEMS OF INTEREST OR ACTIVITY. ·

4. ALTERNATIVE AND SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTES AND FACILITIES SUCH AS SEATS AND VANTAGE POINTS WITH AIDED ACCESS CAN BE PROMINENTLY HIGHLIGHTED. ·

5. TACTILE, AUDITORY AND COLOUR-CODED INDICATORS COULD READILY BE INTRODUCED TOO AS SUPPORT AND ADVISORY AIDS IN RELATION TO ROUTES, LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES. ·

6. TAKING PARALLELS FROM THE RRA, THE PROVISION OF TRANSLATOR OR OTHER AIDS TO DEAF PEOPLE AT A CENTRAL SERVICE POINT MIGHT BE SEEN AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE.

PS - The cheque was put in the post wasn't it?


WE ARE NOT THE ONLY OR EVEN ALWAYS THE BEST SOURCE OF ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON PLAYGROUND ACCESS AND INSPECTIONS AND SO HERE ARE A FEW ADDITIONAL CONTACTS.

1. EQUALITY & HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) each produced advice and guidance on equality issues but their work is now subsumed within the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) set up on 1st October 2007, Papers and policies are still available from the ancestral bodies, notably advice on key issues and full copies of the 1995 and 2005 Acts.

OFFICES IN CARDIFF, GLASGOW. LONDON & MANCHESTER + a helpline

2. CENTRE FOR ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS (CAE)

Provides Consultancy,Training and Publications (not cheap but sound) as well as some advice by phone or fax.
Contact
70, South lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL or phone 021 7840 0125

3. HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE)


NOTE

The Firm is owned by John Hicks a graduate craft trained engineer with many years of work experience in industry and commerce, schools, colleges and in the voluntary sector. He is wholly independent and is listed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as an expert in relation to play safety and disabled access

The modified version of BSEN1176 provides recognition of ‘an increasing need for play provision to be accessible to users with disabilities’ is set against the requirement to ‘provide a balance between safety and the offer of the required level of challenge and stimulation to all possible groups of users’. This idea is linked to clinical conditions associated with ‘increased size of the head’ and the ‘wearing of helmets’

‘Barrier free’ environments seem likely to engage further interest and while American experience will suitably inform our debates their apparent major concern with wheel chair accessible environments is perhaps more narrowly focussed than the incidence of perceived need might justify.

John Hicks
Updated October 2nd 2008

NOTES ON LIGHT AND SOUND IN HALLS AND OTHER MEETING PLACES OR SHOPS

There is a draft European standard indicating a need for 200 lux in any continuously occupied space and a minimum colour rendering index of 80 (30 = poor 100 = excellent). This is an appropriate level for task lighting at work or reading stations but passages and corridors are adequately lit at between 50 and 100 lux. Close work requires higher lighting levels up to perhaps 300 to 500 lux

Street lighting tends to be monochromatic sodium lighting which provides poor colour rendering which can be disorientating in the transition from street to domestic, incandescent, light levels and types. Ideally entrances and lobbies should in these circumstances have adaptation zones to prepare visually disadvantaged people for the change. While more light generally means better perception it should also be borne in mind that additional lighting can reduce visual performance of people with specific eye conditions and so the degree to which individuals can control their own immediate environment is important and significant.

The wiring and control systems on fluoresescent lighting can interfere with hearing aids and so their use is to be discouraged where this is likely to be a problem. In any case except where special lamps are used they also offer poor colour rendering.

AHEM! Otherwise described as a discreet cough

That cheque?


JH