Module 6 – Making Access Easier

This module is all about some of the barriers your customers might encounter and some of the simple ways to overcome them.

When it comes to physical access, every business has its own particular problems and possibilities. No place will ever be perfectly suited to the requirements of every customer but with some carefully chosen improvements you can make your environment more accessible, safer, and comfortable for a wider range of customers.

Here are some examples of things that can make access easier for a greater number of people.

“Access barriers” in the physical environment are those things which stop a person from getting to where they want to go or doing what they want to do in a comfortable, easy and secure way.

The design of our environment, buildings and facilities often imposes access barriers on certain groups of people, and not only those we think of as “disabled”. Everyone can be inconvenienced by access barriers.

Some examples:

• Flights of stairs (or even one step) are not only an access barrier to wheelchair users, but also to parents with pushers or prams, as well as someone with a walking difficulty or a customer with a heavy suitcase.
• Glass doors or large glazed areas are a barrier – and possible safety hazard – to people who are sight impaired or to anyone whose attention may be distracted when walking close to them.
• Slippery floors in bathrooms are the cause of many accidents, both to disabled and non-disabled people.
• Loose rugs are a tripping hazard for those using mobility devices, those who are unsteady on their feet and young children.
• Sharp corners or glass topped tables can be dangerous to with vision impairment and young children.

It is important to realise that many aspects of your facilities can present access barriers to some customers but with careful adjustments most problems can be significantly reduced, enabling people to move round and use your facilities more easily and so enjoy a better experience.

Make a start by examining your own facilities

By making a simple “walk-through” of your premises with a checklist (and ideally with a disabled visitor or colleague), you can quickly make your own list of possible improvements. Download the Yorke Peninsula Self Audit Checklist (Link)

Parking: 

do you have a designated accessible parking space near your entrance?  Can you create larger, clearly marked parking bays for disabled parking, dropped kerb to pavement or path.?

Pathways: 

Do your pathways have e a firm, even surface e.g. paving or asphalt rather than gravel, ramps instead of steps.  Is there good lighting along the route?

Entrance:

Do you have a porch or shelter from the rain, with good lighting, easy opening door handle and door? These are really useful when people are being dropped off from a car.

Reception: – Do you have a seat available? Is there good lighting, a low counter, walking-stick holder, a hearing loop?

Guestrooms:

Can you replace round doorknobs with lever type? Is it possible to move furniture to create a large clear area for easy wheelchair movement? Do you have low level hanging rails in cupboards, non-allergenic bedding, a vibrating pillow alarm (available for deaf visitors on request)?

Dining- / breakfast-room / restaurant / bar:

Do you ensure there is adequate passing space between tables, good lighting, colour-contrasting cutlery and plates/tablecloths?

Guest Toilets and bathrooms:

Do you have grab rails, a wheel-in shower, shower seat, non-slip bathmat, colour-contrast doorframes and fittings?

Signage: 

Is there clear signage (as well as the statutory emergency signs) for information, giving directions and locations?

Self-catering:

Can you install low-level kitchen facilities including sink, hob, kitchen and work surfaces; pull-out cupboards on wheels; sliding doors (to give more space) and large clear areas in rooms for easy wheelchair movement?

Other facilities, tour operators, and events are also covered in the Self Audit Checklist. Download all of the applicable sections to your business.

Little things can make a huge difference