Even if you are not planning major building works there are many inexpensive ways in which you can improve physical access for people with disabilities. It would make sense to have an access audit carried out to ascertain what needs to be changed.
An access audit looks at a building or space from the point of view of disabled users. This service is available in Northern Ireland from organisations like Adapt NI and Disability Action, and from a number of independent access consultants in the Republic of Ireland. Please also consult your local disability organisation for further advice and direct involvement of disabled people in your organisation.
It can be helpful to do a self-assessment access audit prior to bringing in professional expertise. The access checklist in this website is a useful resource.
A practical way for venues in Northern Ireland to start improving arts venue access would be to sign up for the Arts & Disability Equality Charter. This Charter grew out of a conference organised in September 2003 by Open Arts, the Community Arts Forum, Adapt NI and the Arts and Disability Forum. Disabled and non-disabled people involved in the arts sector collaborated to devise the content of the conference and the subsequent Arts & Disability Equality Charter. The Charter is essentially a quality kite-marking project giving developmental guidance to improve and increase disabled people’s involvement in the arts. A set of guidelines covers all areas of access touched upon in this website. Further information from Aidan Shortt, Co-ordinator of Arts & Disability Equality Charter.
Arts & Disability Equality Charter
Contact: Aidan Shortt, Co-ordinator
Arts and Disability Equality Charter
109-113 Royal Avenue
Belfast BT1 1FF
E-mail:aidan_shortt@yahoo.com
Tel/fax Codes: 028 (NI) or (048 ROI)
Tel: 90323437
Fax: 90247770
Text:90325744
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