Accessibility Activities 2008

DISABILITY STRATEGY FUNDING

The following sets out a breakdown of the works carried out under the Disability Strategy Funding in 2008:

Capital Expenditure: €279,298
Current Expenditure: €50,000

Capital Expenditure Works

• Loop System in County Council Chamber.
• Signage and Handrails at County Hall, Unit 6 Cleveragh & Enniscrone Area Office.
• Visual Alarms in Library, County Hall, St. Anne’s Place & Market Yard.
• Disabled Parking Bay at County Hall.
• Emergency Evacuation Chairs.
• Signage at Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry.
• Alterations to Disabled Parking Bay at Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry.
• Automatic Doors for Teach Laighne, County Hall, Market Yard and Community and Enterprise.
• Stairlift in County Library.
• Road Markings at County Hall.
• Disabled Toilets Works in various Council buildings.
• Alterations to steps at County Hall.
• Pedestrian Crossing at Bridge Street (in progress).
• Ramps at County Library.
• Stairlift in Market Yard.
• Automatic Doors, Signage, Induction Loop, Chairlift, Handrails at Fire Station (to be completed early 2009).
• Handrails, Automatic Doors, Signage, Step Nosing at Enniscrone Fire Station (to be completed early 2009).
• Handrails, Signage, Automatic Doors, Induction Loop at Tubbercurry Fire Station (to be completed early 2009).
• Highlighting of Disabled Parking Bays in Sligo Town (to be completed early in 2009).
• Improved Access to Kilglass Cemetery (to be completed early in 2009).

Current Expenditure Works

• Consultancy Fees in respect of design of pedestrian walkway at Bridge Street.
• Production of Podcast for websites and local radio.
• Open Local Government Costs.
• Audio Copy of Directory of Services.
• Text Alert System.

EXCELLENCE THROUGH ACCESSIBILITY AWARDS

The National Disability Authority’s Excellence Through Accessibility Award was presented to Sligo County Council in respect of County Hall on 3 December 2008. County Hall achieved the second highest level of the award, which is Quality.

Evaluation for the Award was carried out under the following headings:

Access to Quality Customer Service

Sligo County Council consulted extensively with a Disability Consultative Committee and developed an Implementation Plan for accessibility. The Authority is customer focused and developed and launched a new Customer Charter. The Council also has an Equality and Diversity Public Services Access Charter.

Access to the Built Environment

The car park at County Hall has been upgraded to include three accessible parking bays and a drop off area. The main and side entrance doors are clearly defined and are fitted with power-assisted doors to provide easy access for all building users. Access routes within the building are spacious and unobstructed. Reception counters throughout the building are accessible to wheelchair users and fitted with loop systems to accommodate hearing aid users. A variety of seating types is provided for the public in corridors and reception areas. To improve safety for building users, the open risers in the main staircase have been filled in.

Access to services delivered via Information and Communication Technology

Sligo County Council has shown great initiative in relation to information and communications. The Council has introduced audio podcasts on its website in response to user feedback. The Authority has launched a text based communications system for alerting traffic wardens to obstructions caused by illegally parked vehicles. The Council website is structured with accessibility in mind. To ensure ongoing accessibility for the website, the Authority has a clear development plan in place with performance indicators in place and timescales outlined.