Accessibility Initiatives

Built Environment

The organisation occupies two adjacent buildings -

  • 18 Lower Leeson Street and
  • Longphort House.

The postal address is 18 Lower Leeson Street.

Access to Longphort House is not generally available to members of the public. An accessibility audit was carried out in August 2007. The following works were identified and have been carried out.

  1. A wireless intercom to the Reception desk was installed at street level on the railings at 18 Lower Leeson Street;
  2. The back staircase between 18 Lower Leeson Street and Longphort House was covered in tactile flooring with contrast coloured stepnosing;
  3. Induction loops were installed in the reception area and lower ground floor conference room at 18 Lower Leeson Street;
  4. A portable induction loop was acquired for use in the interview rooms at 18 Lower Leeson Street;
  5. One leaf of the doors leading into the lift lobby area on each floor at 18 Lower Leeson Street was automated to facilitate wheelchair access.
  6. The door in the basement lobby leading in from the car park was automated to facilitate wheelchair access
  7. The double doors at reception leading in to the interview rooms were automated to facilitate wheelchair access.
  8. The cotag activator point for all automated doors were lowered to wheelchair level.

Further works are planned and will be announced on this section of the site when they happen.

Availability of Expertise

Section 26(1)(c) of the Disability Act 2005 provides that a public body must, where appropriate, ensure the availability of appropriate expertise and skills to advise it in relation to making its services accessible. The National Disability Authority's "Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies "states that

"such expertise can be made available within the organisation, or, where appropriate, sourced externally."

Disability awareness training has been provided to all members of staff.  The organisation has compiled a database of contact details, costs and notice required for suppliers who provide the following services:

  • Translation of documents into Braille
  • Sign Language Services
  • Plain English Documentation
  • Accessibility Works

Access Officer

In accordance with section 26(2) of the Act, the organisation has appointed an  .

Procurement Policy

In accordance with section 27 of the Act the organisation has developed a policy to ensure that relevant accessibility requirements for people with disabilities are, where appropriate, included as part of the organisation's procurement procedures. 

Information Technology

Each of the organisation's websites was re-designed in 2005 to be as accessible as possible. The organisation is continually striving to improve that accessibility.  Two accessibility and usability audits have been carried out on the websites since their re-design.  Issues identified by the audits have been addressed or are in the process of being addressed.

Procedures for Examining Complaints

In accordance with section 39(1) of the Disability Act the organisation has appointed two Inquiry Officers for the purposes of investigating complaints relating to a failure by the organisation to comply with sections 25, 26, 27 or 28 of the Disability Act. In accordance with section 39(2) of the Act, the organisation has drawn up procedures for the investigation of complaints by inquiry officers. These procedures are set out in this section of the website.