Environment Directorate Disabilities Access Group (EDDAG)

Latest news for March 2011

There have now been 12 meetings since the group was first set up in April 2009. We have considered 25 schemes.

EDDAG members consider a ‘live’ demo of the panels proposed for the new Civic Centre Lifts. EDDAG members consider a ‘live’ demo of the panels proposed for the new Civic Centre Lifts.

We have now set up EDDAG-2 which will consider urban design schemes. The remit of the group has been extended so that as well as considering council property refurbishments, the group will now provide feedback on Urban Design Schemes.

EDDAG remit

We aim to ensure that our buildings are as fully accessible as possible for people with disabilities. This often means going beyond the Disability Discrimination Act regulations.

The group has been set up to ensure that we have ideas and comments at an early stage when undertaking construction, refurbishment and planned maintenance projects on Council properties which have public access.

Since August 2010 the remit of the group includes consideration of Urban Design schemes as well as properties.

Read the Terms of Reference(pdf, 35KB).

The group composition

Members were recruited through local advertisement, our website and word of mouth. Interviews took place in April 2009 and the first meeting took place on 6 June 2009.

The group is made up of eight local residents with a range of disabilities: People who are deaf and hard of hearing, have visual impairments, mobility problems and speech impairments.

Guidelines to property schemes from the meetings

Having now undertaken seven meetings to assess new council property schemes, the group has drawn up some general guidelines to improve access for people with disabilities. Properties Project managers are instructed to consider these guidelines when developing proposals. They are as follows:

1. Entrances to public properties:

  • Ramps and railings - ramps not enough, people with mobility problems walking up and down need to hold on to railings either side.
  • Signage - need to make disabled entrances in buildings clearer from the road entrance.
  • Call buttons - large and yellow not blue/green…for people with visual impairments.
  • Lighting of entrances - safety issues not always addressed

2. Ticketing queuing systems - good examples for people who are deaf and hard of hearing is the system at M&S Kew Retail Park.

New Hampton Hill Library – An EDDAG member tests out the bi-fold door and considers the contrasting coloured toilet fittings as agreed in the August meeting. New Hampton Hill Library – An EDDAG member tests out the bi-fold door and considers the contrasting coloured toilet fittings as agreed in the August meeting.3. Tables in libraries - one wheelchair height computer table is not enough - need a second empty table for reading.

4. Toilets - Manual, bi-fold doors going outwards - Best Advice. Contrasting colour between the toilet seat, rails and the walls.

5. Décor - Contrasting colours/textures of carpets, doors, other fittings were possible to assist people with visual impairments.

6. Moveable fittings - Cause problems for people with visual impairments when not put back in same place.

Schemes considered at meetings 2009 - 2011

The meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month. Minutes of all meetings are available on request. See the list of schemes presented in 2009 to 2011 below:

2011

February: Twickenham Academy

March: Review and update on progress of all schemes considered to date. Schemes proposed for 2011 and 2012.

2010

January: Site Visit to inspect Hampton Hill Library work.

The EDDAG group met for an 'extraordinary' meeting on Tuesday 26 January as they had the opportunity to visit the new Hampton Hill Library to make comments prior to its opening late January. The scheme was considered back in August when it was just a plan.

Find out what they thought here.

April: (held on March 30 because of Easter holidays)

  • Stanley School
  • Chase Bridge School
  • Orleans School

June:

  • Civic Centre Lifts.
  • Palewell Park Pavilion
  • Heatham House Gym

August:

  • Tangley Park Centre - site visit
  • Whitton High Street - site visit

October:

  • Hampton Academy
  • Richmond Town Centre station area

December:

  • Hampton Junior School - site visit

2009

June:

  • At this first meeting we firstly agreed a way of working (This included the need to send round schemes the week before in colour/A0)
  • Heathfield Library
  • Avenue Centre
  • Mortlake Hall

August:

  • Lowther School
  • Hampton Hill Library

October:

  • St Marys and St Peters School
  • The Atrium - Civic Centre

December:

  • Barn Elms Pavilion
  • Civic Centre Atrium and Lift
  • Croft Centre

The process

We have an agreed EDDAG process:

  • All plans for the meeting go out to group members Thursday before meeting to ensure group members have a chance to consider prior to meeting.
  • There is an agreed style of plan presentation i.e. size A0 or A1 and colours used where possible.
  • The project manager responsible for the scheme presents at the meeting.
  • There is a good process of feeding back. Project managers update the group on progress (if any) once project is presented.
  • Meeting minutes are issued and approved by the group. The minute style ensures all comments from group members and project managers are captured accurately.

More information

Full details of each meeting and comments are available on request from the EDDAG Manager:

Bridget Clements, Consultation Manager for Environment Directorate
Email: b.clements@richmond.gov.uk