Facility Accessibility
'If I were in your shoes'
A guide to making your facility more accessible to people with a disability
Why should I?
It is estimated that there are 350,000 people with a disability in Ireland,
approximately 10% of the population. That is 350,000 people that cannot use your
facility if it is not accessible.
People with a disability are interested in physical activity for the same
reasons as able-bodied people and they use gyms and leisure facilities for the
same reasons also. However there are often some barriers to participation for a
person with a disability who wishes to use a leisure facility, most of these
barriers are easily overcome if the facility is made more accessible. Measures
to make the facility more accessible need not be expensive or time consuming,
some small changes in your facility can go a long way to increase opportunities
for participation for people with a disability and increase usage in your
facility. . It is a win-win situation!
How can I?
The following are some easily enforced, cost effective changes that can be made to ensure your facility is of the highest standard for everyone who wishes to use it.
- Clear Signs
Ensure that all signs in the building are easily understood and use pictures if necessary, this makes it easier for a person with a learning disability to find their way around. Use signs with large print to accommodate a person with a visual impairment. - Braille Markings
Braille markings can be obtained from the National Council for the Blind at no charge. Another product called Himark can also be used, the benefit of Himark is that you can design your own markings and shapes. - Brailed Maps
Brailed or raised maps can be done through the Disability Service in DCU. - Window Markings
To ensure that individuals i.e. individuals with a visual impairment can determine that glass is present on doors & windows - Locker Markings
It would be suitable to allocate lockers at a low level at the end of each row to allow easier access for wheelchair users. If your centre has tall or long lockers it would be ideal to allocate one or two of these lockers for people with a disability as it allows people with crutches or prosthetic limbs to store them safely and easily while they use the facilities. A range of inexpensive signs can be purchased through many stationary providers or handmade signs can also be used. - Information and Programmes
Any information that is provided for customers/guests can be put onto CD or disk. This will allow people to access the information easily. Information can also be circulated via email. - Portable induction Loop
An induction loop helps deaf people who use a hearing aid or loop listener to hear sounds more clearly because it reduces or cuts out background noise. A portable induction loop can be obtained from JPL (Aqualine Engineering). It is a cheaper option for facilities that have a large area to cover as it can be carried and used in any situation in the building. It is also rechargeable - Staff Training
Staff training is important. Staff have to be comfortable dealing with a person with a disability. ILAM Ireland offer one day disability awareness courses, contact them for further details. - Integrated Programmes v Segregated Programmes
People with a disability should be included in regular programmes. Inclusive programmes need not exclude adults or children with a disability.
Segregated programmes such as a separate gym programme for adults with a disability, or swimming lessons for children with a disability are also very beneficial programmes.
Both types of programmes integrated and segregated, will have different benefits for people with different types of disabilities. Sometimes facilities may not have the resources for segregated programmes but this need not be an issue as long as people with a disability are catered for in other programmes.
For a more comprehensive list of recommendations please contact the office.