Access Interest Group

The aim of the group is to improve access for disabled people created by both physical and attitudinal barriers.

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Darlington Access for All Award

Following the success of previous years, Darlington Association on Disability in partnership with Darlington Borough Council are holding the ‘Darlington Access for All Award’ for the 5th year.

The award will be made to the business or organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to ensure that their building or open space is accessible to all and that their organisation's culture embraces accessibility in all of its forms.

This is a lot more than ramps at doorways or minimum building requirements; it's about improving access for all disabled people by eliminating physical and attitude barriers. The award is to recognise a business or organisation that has taken that extra step.

Darlington Association on Disability is pleased to continue working with Darlington Borough Council in its bid to eliminate social exclusion and we are delighted that the Mayor has agreed to present the award before our A.G.M on the 22nd November 2007 in the Central Hall at the Dolphin Centre.

Aims of the Service:

The Access Interest Group exists to enable disabled people to work together to promote access issues within Darlington.

It aims to:

Highlight good practice around access issues.

Involve disabled people in the work of the Access Interest Group.

Raise access issues and concerns with planners and providers.

Promote the Disability Discrimination Act and other legislation to disabled people, carers, services and public bodies.

Encourage disabled people to take up their rights under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Actively campaign on Disability Issues.

What do we do?

The project continues to work with departments within Darlington Borough Council to:

Prioritise the provision of dropped kerbs.

Maintain good practice.

Progress towards making all of their buildings accessible.

To keep the pavements free from obstructions including A-boards and goods.

The project also:

Works with organisations from the planning stage through to delivery to ensure their services are accessible.

Regularly advises individuals and organisations on Disability Discrimination Act issues.

Support individual disabled people to overcome discrimination due to negative attitudes of service providers and not just physical obstructions.

How to get Involved:

Anybody can support the work of the Access Interest Group. You can get involved by:

Attending the various meetings organised throughout the year or contacting the project to discuss other ways.

Telephone: 01325 489999

E-mail: gordon@darlingtondisability.org

Minicom: 01325 245061

Fax: 01325 488188

Group Meetings:

The Group holds regular theme meetings which can be on a wide range of issues. Recent subjects covered include:

• Access to public transport.

• Access to services provided by the NHS.

• Access to the rail network.

• Access to the Town Centre.