Access Audits

An access audit is an essential tool for businesses who want to make their services more accessible and to fulfill their legislative duties under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against people with disabilities.

Accessibility legislation does not require ‘full accessibility’. It requires that disabled people are not unlawfully discriminated against, for example in the way that they receive a service.

An access audit is a critique of the accessibility of an environment against established design guidance and legislation. It does not only cover the physical features, such as steps and counter heights. It also covers a huge range of other considerations such as management issues, staff training, marketing materials, auxiliary aids, color and tonal contrast and signage.

Noble Access specializes in providing detailed access audits that both identify barriers to access and provide options for solutions.

Every audit’s format and complexity will vary due to the individual nature and environment of the organisation commissioning the audit and indeed the resources that they have available to them. These issues will be agreed with each client at the beginning of the auditing process.

Access Audit Reports

After the physical audit on-site, an Access Audit Report is produced providing a comprehensive critical appraisal of the environment in which the organisation is situated and the services provided to the public. The barriers that been identified are assessed and comprehensive recommendations and options for resolving access issues are provided. This document will form part of the access strategy of your organisation.

An Access Audit Report will include:

Client brief – agreeing the scope and criteria for the audit
Preambles – describing the project and the legislative framework relevant to the organisation.
Executive summary – highlighting the main issues to be addressed and how to use the access audit report
Critical appraisal – the body of the audit will appraise the current situation and provide appropriate recommendations for solutions.

The cost for an Access Audit Report starts at £500 plus expenses. This will include preparatory work, site visit and production of the report.

Franchise Organizations

Noble Acces offers a special consultancy package to franchise organisations with a number of similar franchised premises. Dependent on the type of premises and requirements, we can offer all franchisees within that organisation access auditing services at a substantially reduced fixed price.

In addition, bespoke design guidance, training literature can be produced (under licence) for all existing and future franchisees.

Organizations with multiple premises / large portfolios

Noble Access strives to work with clients with large portfolios to formulate cost effective access strategies.

This may include audits of all premises or sample premises depending on the nature of the organisations and the legislative framework they fall under.

Not-for-profit organizations

Noble Access is committed to giving back to the community and promoting accessibility. We provide a limited amount of free accessibility advice to not-for-profit organisations and a substantial discount on fees for all not-for-profit organisations (discount is dependent on the type of organisation and available funds).