Posts Tagged Access Consultancy

Access Day 2019

Access Day 2019

Access Day 2019

March 16th is National Access Day, as a company we’ve been helping Welsh companies become more accessible since we opened in 2007. To mark National Access Day here are five of the clients who have had access audits/reviews from us over the years.

In homage to National Access Day (and because we’re in a good mood after the rugby) we’re offering 25% off all our access consultancy service during March 2019.

25% off access consultancy service in March 2019
25% off access consultancy service in March 2019

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

It’s all go with us at Accessible Wales. The next few weeks are extremely busy, we’re not complaining though!

Museum of Modern Art in Maclyneth

Museum of Modern Art in Maclyneth

Next week we’re going to be carrying out an access audit of the museum of Modern Art in Machynlleth.  Our Access Consultancy service can be tailored to suit premises of any shape and size and can take the form of a Detailed Access Audit or an Informal Walkthrough Review.  When carrying out any form of access consultancy we consider all forms of access not just ramps and steps, only 8% of people with disabilities use wheelchairs!  Access improvements can be as simple as moving a chair from behind a door or changing the location of storage facilities.  For more information on the access related services visit our Access Consultancy page.

Percy Pickdon

Percy Pickdon

We are also excited to be working with Schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff carrying out our Anti Bullying and Respect training courses during Anti Bullying Week.  Our training is hosted by one of our newest team members Percy Pickdon.  If you would like to book our training for your school please get in touch with us, you can contact us via our Contact Page.

Monday 13th November – Friday 17th November is Anti Bullying week and we still have some spaces available, if you’d like to book a training course, or know more about the training we offer visit our Training Page.

Because of this we will be in and out of the office over the next few weeks, if you would like to get in touch with us, call 01685 810432 or email info@accessible.wales and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

20% off services until the end of October

20% off services until the end of October

As you know we’ve been open ten years and we’re offering 20% off all services booked by the end of October, get in touch now for more information.

If you’re trying to email us we’ve changed our address, instead of info@accessiblewales.co.uk it’s now simply info@accessible.wales

 

 

Accessible Wales strengthens links with Cynon Valley Museum

Accessible Wales strengthens links with Cynon Valley Museum

Accessible Wales strengthens links with Cynon Valley Museum

The recently opened Cynon Valley Museum

The recently opened Cynon Valley Museum

Followers of our regular blog posts will know we have a strong history of working with the Cynon Valley Museum. That bond goes back ten years, as they were one of our first clients.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones with Cynon Valley Museum Development Manager Charlotte Morgan

Principal Consultant Richard Jones with Cynon Valley Museum Development Manager Charlotte Morgan

When Accessible Wales’ non-profit arm Accessible News opened in 2008, a disability support surgery called Empower was established in the museum.  This surgery has helped local people on issues ranging from housing to benefits and employment advice.

As part of our 10-year Anniversary,  Accessible Wales is looking at ways to help further local charities and voluntary organisations. The Cynon Valley Museum had recently reopened and is run by a charitable trust.

After meeting with then Chairperson Dinah Pye and Manager Charlotte Morgan, Accessible Wales offered to carry out a detailed access audit free of charge.  For more information on our Access Consultancy Service please click here.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones commented:

“I’m pleased to continue to work with the museum. Organisations like this are a big part of the fabric of an accessible Wales and we want to see the museum thrive by being there for the whole community.  We will help in any way we can to make that happen.”

Accessible Wales has now delivered the Access Review audit to the Museum management and Trustees, and are looking forward to working with staff and volunteers in the future.

Development Manager Charlotte Morgan receiving the Cynon Valley Museum Access Audit

Development Manager Charlotte Morgan receiving the Cynon Valley Museum Access Audit

Development Manager Charlotte Morgan said:

“As a new organisation taking over an existing facility, it has been invaluable to us to work with Accessible Wales, who have been able to help us identify improvements that we can make. We are grateful for their tireless work with us and look forward to doing more in the future to make sure the heritage of the Cynon Valley is accessible for everyone.”

If you run a charity or voluntary organisation and think we could be of help to you then please do not hesitate to get in touch by visiting our contact page.

For more information about the Cynon Valley Museum please visit their Facebook page here.

Accessible Wales’ new clients are Minty Fresh!

Accessible Wales’ new clients are Minty Fresh!
Gentle Dental Practice in Aberdare with Dr Parul Sood and Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Gentle Dental Practice in Aberdare with Dr Parul Sood and Principal Consultant Richard Jones

We are pleased to announce that we are working with Gentle Dental Practice and Maendy Place Dental Practice to improve their accessibility.

These RCT-based dental practices approached us as part of an access improvement scheme through Cwm Taf University Health Board.

Dental practices often face challenges when trying to provide the most accessible service to patients. These challenges include levels and layouts of older buildings including difficult front access and challenging toilet facilities.

Maendy Dental Practice with Practice Practice Manager Deborah James with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Maendy Dental Practice with Practice Practice Manager Deborah James with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Accessible Wales is working with both practices to highlight access issues and improve them, resulting in the best possible access standard for patients with a range of disabilities

If you work for a dental practice in the Cwm Taf University Health Board area and would like to take advantage of the grant funding available, contact Alison Green.

If you would like more information on the access improvement services we offer then please visit our Access Services page.

Hot Off The Press

Hot Off The Press

Accessible Wales quarterly newsletter is out now!  We will produce a quarterly newsletter which will be available online and emailed to clients and interested organisations/groups etc. 

If you would like to download a copy click here, if you would like to be added to a list of subscribers feel free to email usicon_mailto. The main story in this month’s newsletter is heralding the accessible features that Swansea museum has to offer.

Swansea Museum has been access audited by Accessible Wales

Swansea Museum has been access audited by Accessible Wales

The newsletter will be bringing you access and awareness tips, news about our clients and also news on what we have got going on, it’s all free too, what more can you ask for?

To download a copy of our newsletter click hereicon_pdf.

Two Access Reviews Completed

Two Access Reviews Completed

Two Access Reviews Completed

Public Health Wales and Aberdare Community School reviews before presentation

Public Health Wales and Aberdare Community School reviews before presentation

Last week Accessible Wales handed in two Access Reviews, one for Rhondda Cynon Taff on Aberdare Community School and the second for Public Health Wales on their new offices in Capital Quarter 2, Cardiff.

These two jobs represent the two opposite ends of the work we carry out as part of our Access Consultancy Service.

Aberdare Community School

Aberdare Community School

Firstly was a review of the new Community School, a school designed to be fully accessible.  This building was already open and our review involved looking at access from a pupil’s perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

Public Health Wales new office

Public Health Wales new office

The second piece of work was reviewing the access to a new building.  Previous clients Public Health Wales were moving offices into a new building and commissioned us to look at the accessibility before any of the furniture was put in place.  This is always good practice as it can save on alterations once the building is finished.  While these are not always costly they can have an impact on the way a building is used.

Both pieces of work were a pleasure to undertake, both buildings have the potential to be beacons in relation to access.

If you would like to know more about the accessibility of your building please get in touch.  All our access services can be tailored to any building, whether it’s a one room shop, hospital, listed building or six story new building we cater for all.

Some of the varied clients who have benefited from our access consultancy service

Some of the varied clients who have benefited from our access consultancy service

For more information visit our Access Consultancy page, or contact us.

Or just call us nowoffice-telephone-number

Working With Public Health Wales

Working With Public Health Wales
Richard Jones outside Capital Quarter 2, Public Health Wales Office

Richard Jones outside Capital Quarter 2, Public Health Wales Office

We are proud today to have been access reviewing Capital Quarter 2 building in Cardiff for Public Health Wales.  The building is a blank canvas, with no furniture in.  Public Health Wales and their designers have put an exceptional amount of work in making the building accessible, and we are very impressed that we’ve been asked to consult on the access at such an early stage.

Temple of Peace a building that was occupied by Public Health Wales

Temple of Peace a building that was occupied by Public Health Wales

In 2015 Accessible Wales consulted for Public Health Wales on access to the Temple of Peace.  The Temple of Peace is 70 – 75 years old, and is a grade two listed building.  This means that there can be difficulties when making physical alterations regarding access improvement.   The building is used for external events such as weddings and filming by television companies.

Capital Quarter 2, Public Health Wales Office

Capital Quarter 2, Public Health Wales Office

If you would like more about about our Access Consultancy service visit the page, or you can get in touch by visiting our Contact Page.  Our access consultancy service has worked with small one roomed shops, new buildings and listed buildings, we can tailor our service to meet your needs.

Working With Aberdare Community School

Working With Aberdare Community School
Principal Consultant Richard Jones outside Aberdare Community School

Principal Consultant Richard Jones outside Aberdare Community School

Accessible Wales is pleased to say that Principal Consultant Richard Jones met with Aberdare Community School’s Headteacher Sue Davies and Rhondda Cynon Taff Education Authority’s Esther Thomas to discuss the access for people with disabilities at the school.

Discussions took place as Accessible Wales have been asked to study the access in and around the school.  Principal Consultant Richard Jones was taken on a tour of the school and cannot express enough how impressed he was with what was on offer in the school regarding facilities, curriculum and staff attitude.

The school is a new building, however, in the past it has often been the case that what is accessible on paper isn’t necessarily accessible in practice.  Rhondda Cynon Taff are taking the proactive step to ensure that they have a working understanding of the schools accessibility, and for that they should be commended.

Principal Consultant Richard says:

Access isn’t always about ramps and steps, approximately 8% of people with disabilities use wheelchairs.  We strive to help our clients improve access for people with all abilities.  It is important to remember that making access changes does not always cost vasts sums of money, sometimes something as little as moving a chair or a table can make a huge difference.

All our access reviews are written from the viewpoint of a service user, led by Principal Consultant Richard Jones we not only have a theoretical knowledge of access issues but also a practical knowledge of day-to-day issues.

Remember you can keep up-to-date with our latest goings on by visiting us on Facebookicon_external and Twittericon_external

Accessibility Toolbar