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Boosting Students Knowledge at Coleg Y Cymoedd

Boosting Students Knowledge at Coleg Y Cymoedd

Boosting Students Knowledge at Coleg Y Cymoedd

In February Accessible Wales announced it would be working with Coleg Y Cymoedd to train their students, you can read the blog post here.

Students from Aberdare Campus of Coleg Y Cymoedd recently took part in a one-hour Introduction to Disability Awareness as part of the BOOST programme.

Students from Coleg Y Cymoedd BOOST programme
Students from Coleg Y Cymoedd BOOST programme

The students were from the Health & Social Care department and made the following comments when completing feedback forms.

“The session was fun and interesting and allowed me to have a better understanding of the terms and the correct of the terms and the correct way to communicate.  The activity allowed us to experience the difficulties others may face and was fun.”

“This session went really well and I was able to gain an understanding on disability.  It helped me learn a lot more and I am thankful to have this opportunity.”

“This was a fun and interesting activity.  It helped me improve my knowledge on what a disability is and how to support an individual if they are visually impaired.”

“Fabulous course”

Rebecca Roberts, Campus Services Supervisor made said the following on the training received by Coleg Y Cymoedd students:

The workshop that Richard and his team delivered at Accessible Wales, was fantastic.  All the learners provided excellent feedback, and commented the workshop was so inspiring they were keen to secure more.  As they are working with vulnerable people, who are disabled, the insight to disability awareness helped with their studies.  The workshop had an element of practical work which they thoroughly enjoyed.

I will look forward to working with Richard and the team, to deliver more workshops throughout the year.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones makes the following comment:

Having met with Rebecca this week I am pleased to say that we will be continuing to work with students from Coleg Y Cymoedd undertaking a variety of courses in the future.  We are looking forward to continuing to work with such a great education provider as well as helping to make a difference to those students attending our courses.

If you would like more information about the flexible training programme Accessible Wales offers please visit our Training Services Page.

Accessible Wales training at Dyfed-Powys Police

Accessible Wales training at Dyfed-Powys Police

Accessible Wales training at Dyfed-Powys Police

Accessible Wales was pleased to train staff from the office of Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office last week.  The course was one of four planned with the office to train all the Commissioner’s staff, highlighting the  priority Dyfed-Powys places on equality.

Delegates took part in our full day Disability Awareness course, a course that looks at the following areas.

  • Understanding more about Disability and how disability issues have developed over time
  • Practical Demonstration of Access & Customer Service issues
  • The right thing to say at work; to understand is to get it right!
  • Appropriate Language & Signage; how not to get it wrong!
  • Brief Overview of the Equality Act 2010

Those involved found the course enjoyable and informative saying that they had a better understanding of the history of disability and how it has evolved over time.

The course contains a practical element which is aimed at addressing access and customer service issues that people with varying disabilities may incur when using services.

Staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office after completing the course
Staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office after completing the course

Claire Bryant, Policy and Assurance Advisor who commissioned the training, attended the first course.  She made the following comments:

Richard and Gemma made the (difficult) questions easy to ask.  Their fun, relaxed style makes for an enjoyable session, but makes sure we understand how we can become more accessible as an employer and a service provider.  Thank you both!

For more information on the training we provide visit our Training Consultancy Page.  If you would like to book a course please feel free to get in touch, we can supply full or ½ day courses at your venue or in our training suite.

Accessible Wales, Learning Something New

Accessible Wales, Learning Something New

Accessible Wales, Learning Something New

Recently Principal Consultant Richard Jones met with Mark Thomas Campus Director/Director of Facility at the Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd.  The meeting took place to discuss how Accessible Wales could help both the students and staff in the campus.

Richard was very impressed by the campus saying:

The building is a credit to Coleg y Cymoedd, Aberdare and Rhondda Cynon Taf.  It’s excellent to have such a facility for learners to benefit from.

Accessible Wales will be training Care learners from Coleg y Cymoedd offering them information on access and customer service issues.

Recently Principal Consultant Richard Jones with Mark Thomas Campus Director/Director of Facility at the Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd
Recently Principal Consultant Richard Jones with Mark Thomas Campus Director/Director of Facility at the Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd
Principal Consultant Richard Jones outside Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd
Principal Consultant Richard Jones outside Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd

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 at the heart of the Cardiff Community

Accessible Wales at the heart of the Cardiff Community

Accessible Wales at the heart of the Cardiff Community

As former Chair of a Citizen’s Advice Bureau based in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Principal Consultant Richard Jones is a committed supporter of the organisation.  Accessible Wales are proud to confirm they are a supplier of training for the Barry branch of Cardiff and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones with delegates from the morning course at Cardiff and Vale CAB

Principal Consultant Richard Jones with delegates from the morning course at Cardiff and Vale CAB

Accessible Wales recently carried out two successful half day courses during the same day.  Below are some of the positive comments we received during both courses:

“The trainers own experiences made situations and challenges easier to understand.”

“I think the delivery was extremely well balanced giving both sides as to what was realistically achievable i.e.  Changes are effected by budgets and what one person finds appropriate another may not.  The main point to remember is communication.”

“Excellent delivery on a subject that I now know much more about.”

“Superb.  Richard is a quality speaker with a great sense of humour.”

“I found the course very interesting and the trainer very informative.”

Accessible Wales provides clients with a flexible service, meeting their needs in terms of content and timing. Topics discussed are often perceived as difficult and thought provoking, and include addressing what is a disability and the etiquette used when interacting with people with disabilities. Practical demonstrations of access issues are always useful and welcomed by delegates.

Delegates from the afternoon course at Cardiff and Vale CAB joined by Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Delegates from the afternoon course at Cardiff and Vale CAB joined by Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Courses can be tailored to suit your needs, with the choice of either a full day (5 hours) or half day (3 hours) courses.  We schedule regular training courses at a central venue, or if you have more than five staff members we can come to you.

More information on our training service can be found on our Disability Awareness Training Page.

For more information or to be added to our mailing list, visit the contact page or (01685) 810432

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.

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

New Client – Aberdare Town FC

New Client – Aberdare Town FC

Aberdare Football Club LogoAccessible Wales is pleased to announce that we will be working with Aberdare Town FC to carry out a Walkthrough Access Review.  Aberdare Town FC is keen to improve their facilities for people with disabilities and has commissioned Accessible Wales to help them do this, as a keen football fan Principal Consultant Richard Jones said it was “an exciting opportunity”.

Richard went on to say:

When reviewing access to sports clubs and sports grounds there are various challenges that are not necessarily present in other types of reviews.  It is important, as always, to take into consideration the hurdles that face not only people with physical disabilities but those with sensory needs, learning disabilities and many other impairments.

Steve Pearce Treasurer/Safeguarding Officer for Aberdare Town who commissioned Accessible Wales said the following:

The Club are delighted to work with Accessible Wales to make the whole experience at Aberdare Town FC accessible to people with disabilities. We have improved lots of facilities at the Club over the years but realise we can do more to improve access for people with disabilities and will endeavor to do so with the help of Accessible Wales.”

You can find out more about Aberdare Town FC by visiting their website here.

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