Sport for people with disabilities

Dovedale Sports Centre, part of Leisure & Cultural Services at Chelmsford Borough Council, is now more accessible for disabled customers.

Access to Services - Leisure & Cultural Services

Chelmsford Borough Council's Access Policy Statement confirms its commitment to accessibility:  Our commitment is long term and of continuous improvement as our resources permit. Our aim is to achieve the optimum level of access to the Council's services for all, and to enable the widest possible independent use of the Council's facilities by all sections of our community.

The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) makes it unlawful to treat disabled people less favourably in employment opportunities, education, transport, and in the provision of services, goods and facilities without lawful justification. From 1st October 2004, service providers must have made reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome any physical barriers to access.

That work has been in hand for some time and is ongoing. There are many ways in which that has happened and you will have come into contact with them in your job, for example:

• Access audits
• Communication
• Consultation
• New equipment
• Print media
• Signage
• Staff training
• Work programmes

Some locations and buildings present specific physical barriers that are difficult to overcome and require substantial investment. In addition, Councillors have been carrying out a review of Council properties, which is ongoing and which will address whether overcoming physical barriers needs to be included in wider development work so as to achieve the best outcome for all.

As set out above, our commitment to all customers is ongoing and the improvements that we make in all aspects of access will be ongoing too.

Dovedale Sports Centre - Strategic Access Statement

Built in 1973, Dovedale Sports Centre is built into the facilities of Chelmsford College.

Access Provision at the Centre includes :

• Designated car parking spaces near the main entrance to the centre
• Accessible toilets and changing rooms
• Procedures to encourage inclusion in mainstream activities
• Low counter access in reception for wheelchair users
• Induction loop system at reception
• Disabled lift allowing access to 1st floor facilities

In compliance with Chelmsford Borough's Access Policy Statement and the Customer Care Access Group Recommendations, Dovedale Sports Centre is committed in:

• Providing ongoing disability awareness training for all staff, including more intensive job specific disability training where required
• Ensuring right of entry to the Centre by providing designated accessible parking facilities
• Assisting with communication by training staff in British Sign Language; providing portable Induction Loops for use in the Reception areas, meeting rooms and gym facilities for hearing impaired customers
• Providing information on the Centre in accessible formats, including large print, audiotape and Braille, at no extra cost to the customer, on request
• Ensuring that our website complies with the Web Accessibility Initiative Standards, so that all users have equal access to information regardless of their impairment
• Aiding our disabled customers with their everyday transactions within our Reception areas, by providing customer care products which include easy grip pens for those with limited dexterity; line and other magnifying aids, and cheque book / credit card templates for those with visual impairments
• Ensuring customers are able to navigate around the Centre by providing wheelchairs for use in the building on request.
• Replacing directional signage to ensure it provides a clear and consistent message to allow easy navigation whilst within the Centre. Inline with the revised Corporate guidelines, which incorporates appropriate colour contrast for visually impaired customers; the Centre is also providing blue and white signage for access specific facilities, and in some instances includes the use of tactile (raised text and symbols, and/or Braille) elements
• Upgrading appropriate accessible toilet, changing and shower facilities for disabled customers using the Centre
• Ensuring equal access to facilities for mobility impaired customers including ramps and/or lift facilities where appropriate
• Providing specific sports equipment, with audio and/or visual facilities where appropriate; courses aimed at ensuring the individual needs and requirements of disabled customers are met; and ensuring staff are available, on request, for personal one-to-one attention, where required
• Reviewing the fire and evacuation egress to ensure all staff are aware of procedures for aiding disabled customers in the event of an emergency. The implementation of deaf alerters will also provide a greater level of public safety, for hearing impaired customers.
• Future works to be agreed and carried out with our partner (and landlord) Chelmsford College and their planned approach for DDA improvements for the college as part of the legal requirements relating to Governers and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) under the Act
• Ensuring that our disabled customers have inclusive access to all childrens courses.

The Centre, as part of a Council wide programme, has conducted an Access Audit at Dovedale Sports Centre which was carried out in June 2003 by the Council's Access Officer. This Audit sought to identify building and other improvements required to provide our customers with equal access to goods, facilities and services.

In response to the recommendations outlined in this Audit, Dovedale Sports Centre actively sought approval and funding, which has been secured to allow the implementation of a phased works programme. These works will be ongoing as part of our ongoing commitment to providing an inclusive environment; and will integrate with the review of Council properties for further major works.