Historic Buildings and Places
Historic buildings and places are required by law make their services, buildings and places accessible to all. For example Section 29 of the Disability Act 2005 requires that heritage sites under the ownership of public bodies and to which the public has access to are accessible, as far as practicable, to persons with disabilities. The private and public sector also need to be mindful of the Equal Status Act 2000-2011.
For an organisation to take a holistic approach to accessibility and making their services fully accessible they need to consider a number of issues mainly customer services accessibility; built and external environment accessibility and accessible information provision. There are a number of benefits to making historic buildings and places accessible including:
- Increased visitor numbers that ensures that everyone regardless of their ability can access and use the service being provided in the historic building or place.
- Addressing the needs of a wide range of users accessing your services (i.e. parents with buggies, older people, foreign visitors, small children, people with temporary disabilities and school groups).
- Improved customer services, an easier to use building and the provision of information that is accessible for all.
- Compliance with legislation and national and international best practice standards.
OHAC provide a number of services to help you to make your historic buildings and place accessible including:
- Facilitating and advising on general access requirements while ensuring the conservation of the heritage buildings and places are not adversely affected.
- Carrying out access audits of customer services accessibility, the built environment and accessible information provision
- Reviewing, preparing and advising on Strategic Access Policies and Plans
- Training workshops and seminars on make your historic buildings and place accessible
- Disability, equality and accessibility training for staff
For further information please call us on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected]
