Kirklees Council have partnered with AccessAble, the UK's leading provider of access information, to provide detailed accessibility guides for venues, buildings and travel routes across the Kirklees district. 

The guides include information about access arrangements, welfare facilities and parking, enabling users to plan their visit in advance and maintain independence when out and about in its towns and villages. Community stakeholders were engaged to help identify which places and spaces should be part of the review.

Work continues with further surveys and additional Access Guides being created for other council venues across the district.

Design Principles have also been developed that will be used to inform future development of places and spaces. 

Alongside the accessibility review the council secured funding from Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the installation of Changing Places Toilet facilities at Greenhead Park, Oakwell Hall Country Park, and Civic Centre 1 in Huddersfield.

A further facility was installed at Slaithwaite Civic Hall working in partnership with Slaithwaite Civic Hall Trust. These facilities ensure users can maintain their dignity and independence when out and about.

 

Councillor Beverley Addy, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health said:

“We are committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible community for all our residents in Kirklees by tackling access inequalities they may face. The launch of the Detailed Access Guides and Design Principles, represents a significant step forward in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can lead independent and dignified lives."

 

Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration said:

“By creating places and spaces that are welcoming and accessible to all, we are fostering a more vibrant and resilient community. All are crucial components of our broader strategy to drive regeneration and economic growth in Kirklees and we are excited to see the positive changes these initiatives will bring to our communities.”

 

David Livermore, Director of Business Development at AccessAble, said:

"AccessAble is delighted to be working with Kirklees Council on this exciting inclusivity initiative. Our team have provided specialist consultancy support as well as the development of Detailed Access Guides for a range of parks, buildings and community spaces.  Our aim is to encourage more Councils to adopt a similar approach that will enable disabled people to have greater freedom in exploring their local area.”

 

You can view the Detailed Access Guides for Kirklees Council here