Access Improvement Projects

Overall WREN’s stance is a desire to support applications where the benefits for people with disabilities can be clearly quantified, however the obligation to meet the statutory requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act where there is no proven need for the work to be carried out is contrary to WREN grant giving policy.

Guidance

On any new build project WREN expects your project to meet the statutory requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 and Part 111 1999.

If you are upgrading an existing facility in order to meet the statutory requirements of the DDA, WREN expects your organisation to have carried out a disability audit.
The following areas should be considered during the disability audit:

  • Approach and car parking
  • Routes and external level change, including ramps and steps
  • Entrances, including reception
  • Corridors, internal doors, internal ramps and assembly
  • Lifts, stair lifts and internal level changes
  • Toilets
  • Fixtures and fittings
  • Means of escape
  • Providing information

WREN expects you to have consulted with current users of the facility and to provide evidence of what consultation you have undertaken. The consultation must specifically address the need to upgrade the disabled access to the facility.
WREN expects you to have made contact with the Local Authority to establish whether they have a Disability Officer who can provide help and advice on complying with the DDA.

Useful Contacts

National Register of Access Consultants

Disability Rights Commission
Telephone: 0845 762 2633
Email: enquiry@drc-gb.org

Centre for Accessible Environments
Telephone: 020 7357 8182

Useful Publications

You can download the ‘Codes of Practice on Employment and Services provisions to the DDA’ free of charge on
www.drc-gb.org or order a copy from The Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522

Disability Rights Commission ‘2004 – What it means to you - A guide for service providers can be ordered free of charge from the Disability Rights Commission on 0845 762 2633

Disability Rights Commission ‘Making access to goods and services easier for disabled customers’ A practical guide for small businesses and other small service providers can be ordered free of charge from the Disability Rights Commission on 0845 762 2633

‘Designing for Accessibility’ this comes with a useful resource guide at the back and can be ordered from Centre for Accessible Environments on 020 7357 8182

‘Widen the eye of the needle’ specifically tackles access in the context of Churches and can be ordered from Centre for Accessible Environments on 020 7357 8182