Recommendation

Try to visit and check out venue to make sure that it meets UNISON's needs/policies. DO NOT ACCEPT the venue's claim that they have '`disabled access".

Checklist

Travel

Look into Road, Rail, Bus, Air links and Car Parking when identifying a suitable venue. Ensure that whatever the function, all members can access it regardless of disability.

Entrance To Venue

Steps avoid or look for acceptable alternative

Ramp make sure not too narrow, tight turns, steep or impeded and has plenty of room between ramp and kerb.

NB: Should be a permanent structure and avoid temporary structures placed over steps.

Intercom height - check low enough for all users

Bell height - as above

Dropping Off Point At Entrance

Does it provide enough space to disembark safely

Doors are they automatic, easy to open, wide enough particularly from a wheelchair and wide enough.

Height of handles

Acceptable Alternative

Look for acceptable and suitable alternative

NB. Not goods entrance

Disabled Car Parking

Is provision made if not, can it be arranged?
Check in advance

Flooring

Tiles, Carpets, obstructions

Look for smooth, unobstructive surfaces. Avoid low furniture, rugs and deep pile carpets

Height At Reception Desk

Are there suitable heights to suit all users?

Ensure system for signing cheques etc from a wheelchair is available

Public Telephones

Alternative drop height for wheelchair users check

No ridges at entrance

Text telephone available check

Lighting

Adequate, bright, adjustable

Access To Meeting Rooms

Length Of Corridors

Access From One Room To Another Check out suitability

Doors wide enough, light and easily opened from a wheelchair

Check for ridges between corridors and rooms

Lay Out Of Room

No platforms/different height

Wide Corridors/aisles

Induction Loop enough microphones

Health and Safety: Fire Plan

Visual fire alarms as well as audible

Fire exits should be accessible for operation by disabled people.

Instructions on fire drill in alternative formats

Clear instructions on emergency procedures for disabled guests when located in floors where normal egress is by lift

Lifts

Width of doors

Lift floor must be flush with outside floor. No lip or ridge.

Height of buttons

Digital display, Braille or embossed numbers

Audible indicators

Meeting Rooms

If using more than one, check that all being used are accessible

Leisure Facilities

Accessible check out

Public Areas/Restaurants

Corridors being wide enough and suitable flooring

Doors should be automatic. If not, swing both ways and be light enough and accessible for disabled users.

Accessible, ie no steps.

Enough space to manoeuvre

Movable seating

Self service arrangements

Height of counters

Meeting Areas

Avoid platforms but if there is one, ensure a ramp is provided see previous advice

Height of any lectern check that it is either adjustable or lower alternative provided.

Microphone etc check height adjustments

Signers/Induction Loop arrangements

NB: Signers must be registered and qualified

Use of natural light or suitable alternative lighting

Accessible Toilet

Exclusive use, ie not shared by other users.

Location to main area check that it is conveniently situated.

Width of doors, light and easily opened from a wheelchair.

Transferring area in toilet

Appropriate grab-rails, hand basins, at suitable height and location.

Privacy

Towels/hot air dryer should be accessible.

Bedrooms

Opening of how check out key/card systems remote control would be best

Weight of doors again, remote control would be desirable but should be light and easily opened from a wheelchair.

Windows able to be opened easily and accessible.

Alternative air-conditioning should be accessible.

Distance from lift

Floor polished wood preferable avoid thick carpeting.

Transfer space around bed

Audible alarm

Visual alarm

Height of light switches

Bath/Shower accessible drive in wherever possible.

Height of hand-basin

Curtains remote closing/opening, especially if heavy.

Height of mirrors

Personal Assistant should be in adjacent room.

General

Visual signing check out

Lights, handles etc clearly marked

Edges of stairs marked

Assistance With Carrying Of Bags Etc

Availability of Porter/Janitor

Others

Add to above to suit own needs


April 1999