FAQs

Explore our frequently asked questions.

Can you provide access audits, design appraisals and access statements?

Yes we can provide all these and more, it is what we do. Drop us a line with your question and we will get back to you.

I am looking for some dimensions and design guidance. Where can I find the national standards for accessibility?

For free guidance look at the Approved Document M of the Building Regulations. Find a copy on the Gov.uk website. Or for best practice and greater detail, the BS8300:2018 is the document to go to.

Where can I find out more about disability rights and the Equality Act?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provide a lot of information for service providers, employees and those organisations that have a Public Sector Equality Duty. In some instances, you need the relevant page according to your country. If you are located in Northern Ireland, there are different rules.

How do I make a complaint under the Equality Act 2010?

Follow the guidance given on either the EHRC website, see above of the Northern Ireland protection against disability websites. For the UK for example, you can call their advice line on: 0808 800 0082.

What is an access audit?

An access audit is an assessment of the accessibility and inclusiveness of a building, site or service. We take a pan-disability approach thinking about many different impairment groups when we undertake an access audit.

How do I become an access auditor?

Anyone can become an access auditor, there are no qualifications, but it is about the advice you give and knowing your limitations. We at About Access provide training to help you become an access auditor. We can deliver in-person training or offer online training to suit your requirements and get you clued up to successfully complete access audits yourself.

I am looking for an access audit checklist template. Are you able to assist?

Yes, we can assist in providing a checklist for access audits, but checklists do have limitations. We prefer to use prompts as buildings are unique just like people and one size does not fit all building types. A checklist approach can help with ensuring nothing is missed, but is subjective to every situation.

Very in-depth course with good resources to allow you to carry out an Access Audit.

The online training has been the best I have seen and participated in as the content was of the highest quality for us all as users – a real portal of information and unlike face-to-face training we could go over areas of the training repeatedly as to create fuller understanding. The opportunities to access the facilitator were of a high professional standard, with online opportunities to question as you train and regular Zoom meetings. This was so helpful. This training is certainly accessible in these new challenging times and is highly recommended.

As an architect I started the course pretty familiar with accessible design requirements. However, with Ian’s teaching I have gained a greater understanding of the disabilities and impairments we must design for and the belief that truly inclusive design goes beyond the legislative requirements.

I thought the course was great. Really opened my eyes to the potential obstacles and issues that could arise. The content was delivered in a very straightforward and understandable manner.

…having first reviewed your website which was clear and comprehensive I made contact. Your response time was swift and a competitive tender was received.

I found your survey to be beyond my expectations, absolutely superb in terms of detail and quality of presentation.