The role and purpose of the Access Officer is:

• to be the specialist officer in the council responsible for increasing awareness of the needs of disabled people, the Social Model of Disability and the Equality Act 2010
• to promote an accessible environment across the borough for the whole community in line with the community priority of promoting equal opportunities and celebrating diversity
• to liaise with officers, e.g. architects, planning, housing, community groups and local residents across the council to ensure that access issues are considered when service improvements are being considered for the built environment
• to manage audits of buildings and street scene to ensure that disability issues are highlighted and responded to, e.g. dropped kerbs, ramps to building entrances, induction loops, etc.
• to promote access improvements in partnership with the local Access Group and local voluntary groups
• to advise on all aspects of good practice and legal requirements regarding access issues
• to ensure effective consultation takes place with local disabled people on new developments which affect access
• to comment on planning applications against best practice and guidance (eg Part M, Building Regulations and Wheelchair Housing) and recommend and negotiate improvements where appropriate
• to provide services that are fair and accessible to all, challenging practices that do not support this, and providing a high standard of customer service
• to ensure equality of opportunity in service standards and delivery

Contact

07772 232 127