LALG’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy states: “We will make every effort to use venues that are accessible to all and will respond positively to any requests for improving access and make reasonable adjustments where possible.”
Group contacts and others who organise LALG events should do all they reasonably can to make activities and events accessible to members with a disability. A disability could mean that someone will need to use a wheelchair or other walking aid, not be able to walk very far or cope with steps or stairs, or have sight or hearing problems. We also recognise that not every disability is visible or obvious.
Group contacts and event organisers should reassure any member with a disability attending an activity or event that they will support them and make their attendance as easy and stress-free as possible. Members who cannot manage without help should be given the opportunity to bring a companion/carer with them. If a member of a household has a non-resident carer due to age, disability or a medical condition and needs the carer to accompany them to LALG activities and events, then their membership will also cover the carer.
LALG’s activity groups and events take place in a number of different venues, depending on their nature.
Public venues (e.g. The Settlement, a Coffee bar) should already comply with legal requirements to provide disabled access but some will be more suitable than others depending on a particular disability.
The following are some factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing a public venue:
- Served by public transport.
- Adequate car parking facilities onsite or very close at hand including disabled parking bays.
- Ramp for building access.
- Ground floor accommodation where possible. If you are considering upper floor accommodation because there is a lift, you must ensure that onsite help can be provided with evacuation in the event of a fire.
- Accessible and usable disabled toilet facilities.
- Good disabled access.
- A sound system and loop.
- Spacious enough to cope with wheelchairs/mobility scooters.
- Good lighting.
- Access to heating/air conditioning controls.
Other considerations that would help:
- Providing a map, directions and details about a venue to new members.
- Having a designated person who is easily identifiable, to ensure members with a disability are provided with appropriate seating e.g. at the front for those who have vision or hearing loss and at the end of a row for those with mobility problems.
- Timing and length of meetings – remember to factor in a break.
