Lochaber Disability Access Panel

Constitutional objectives

The remit of the Panel is to ensure that all residents and visitors to the Lochaber area, are treated equally, irrespective of age, disability, faith, gender or race. in being able to gain access to use all the public facilities enabling participation within Lochaber these being: all local public facilities, Education, Employment, Guest Houses & Hotel accommodation, Information, Medical Facilities, Social Inclusion, Sport and Transport The Panel will raise and support accessibility and disability awareness throughout Lochaber The Panel objectives and aspiration is to create a barrier free environment for all residents and visitors to Lochaber, irrespective of any disability, in gaining access to the built environment. Where: - Access means the full range of activity related to the built environment: that is to approach, enter, use, egress from, and to evacuate the built environment independently, in an equable and dignified manner. The built environment encompasses all buildings and other constructions made by humankind for their use and benefit. This includes public transport and associated infrastructure This principally concerns access to public, domestic, and commercial buildings and public infrastructure. The Panel wishes to: Enhance the enjoyment of people with disabilities, Encourage 'building for life', Encourage 'barrier free housing for life', Disability Conversion Ready Enable the right for equal access to public information in an appropriate format, Engage with the Planning and Building Control departments to agree guidelines for 'Disability Conversion Ready' for all developers of new builds (for rental or purchase). Where:- Disability Conversion Ready means designing/building now to facilitate future conversion or modification for use by disabled people with minimum disruption and cost This is to ensure that all new dwellings are 'disability conversion ready' All recommendations are carried out by encouragement and negotiation