The SEN and Disability Act requires all LAs to have a three year plan as to how they intend to improve access to buildings, the curriculum and information for Disabled children.
The LA Access Strategy is monitored by the Physical Access Group and a new Access Strategy for 2006 to 2009 has been developed. For further information, please contact Ruth Pickersgill, on ruth.pickersgill@bristol.gov.uk or phone 0117 35 33309.
There is corporate guidance available on accessible meetings, accessible venues and accessible information, please use the link to the right.
All schools were required to produce their own three year Access Plan from April 2003 which addresses the same areas, and is reported in full annually to parents/carers.
New regulations required schools to review this and have an updated Access Plan for 2006-9 in place by March 2006. A model plan can be accessed below as well as detailed guidance on the school’s responsibility. A process is in place for schools which require individual physical adaptation to their buildings for disabled pupils. Guidance for schools on access improvements for disabled pupils is also available.
There is corporate guidance on the Access Standards that all building works should conform to.
Schools and the LA must make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure that all meetings are accessible to disabled people, and that information provided can also be accessed.
An Access Fund is currently available to enable schools to provide British Sign Language interpreters for parents/carers and governors or to put information for disabled parents/carers into Braille, audiotapes, etc. (see Access Fund: Guidance for schools and nurseries).
The Access Fund can also be used by schools to gain the additional funding required to take a disabled child on a trip, e.g. accessible transport, additional LSA time, etc. (see Accessible Schools : Guidance).
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