Planning for Inclusive Access in Wales

Planning for Inclusive Access in Wales will work with access and disability groups as well as local authority planning departments to raise awareness of disability equality issues and the planning process. Over three years the project will:

• provide a training programme and resources to access groups and disability groups on how the planning system works and how to influence it effectively
• provide training to planning professionals on disability rights and equality and on good practice in making planning more inclusive
• assist local planning authorities, local access groups and other groups of disabled people to develop stronger relationships, allowing them to work together in an efficient and constructive way.

Disability Wales Chief Executive Rhian Davies said: "This is excellent news as it brings much needed attention and resources to achieving equality of access to the built environment for disabled people. It will enable us to follow up our Streets Ahead Campaign by equipping disability and access organisations and planning officers alike with the practical tools to work together to ensure a fully inclusive built environment in Wales".

For further information or to register interest in Planning for Inclusive Access in Wales, please contact the project team:

Michelle Herbert, Membership Services Manager

Rhyan Berrigan, Policy Officer (Access and Transport)

Julie Bilton, Finance and Administrative Assistant

On 029 2088 7325 or info@disabilitywales.org

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Notes for Editors

Disability Wales/Anabledd Cymru is the national association of Disabled People’s Organisations striving for the rights, equality and independence of all disabled people.

Planning for Inclusive Access in Wales is funded via the Welsh Assembly Government Grant Scheme Advancing Equality Fund. Grants were announced by the Social Justice and Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant AM on 15 February 2010 and the project will commence as of 1 April 2010.

A Project Advisory Group will be established by DW to oversee the Project and will involve a range of stakeholders with an interest in access, planning and equality.

Streets Ahead (http://www.disabilitywales.org/1086) was initiated to highlight lack of access to the High Street despite the Disability Discrimination Act and BS3800 design and access standards. A mystery shopper exercise involving forty disabled people in Haverfordwest during May/June 2009, confirmed that many local businesses, shops and services remain inaccessible to disabled people. Barriers encountered by Mystery Shoppers included street furniture and merchandise, lack of level thresholds, narrow aisles, low lighting, unclear labelling and unhelpful staff attitudes. The Report was launched by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, at the National Assembly for Wales on 21 September 2009.