disability

How Our Access Audits for Calderdale and beyond make a difference…

Relaxing in the sun, Pisco Sour in hand (a Peruvian cocktail), I started reminiscing about the access audits work we’re trying to do here in Calderdale, and how there’s no chance of us doing all of it on our own – the key is kick-starting others to carry on the good work.

We can’t audit and advise on every shop, every museum, every church hall, visit every green space, or walk every walk, so it’s wonderful to hear from people who’ve taken on the mantle and have been activated by our visits and want to carry on the good work. They’ve secured the funding, convinced the Trustees and want to forge ahead.

Access Audits in Action: Cromwell Bottom Leads the Way

Places such as Cromwell Bottom show the ripple effect that access audits can have. Originally, they wanted me to look at some paths and a small viewing platform design. That led to a full audit. They seemed to be very enthusiastic after this and came back with more ideas. Several years down the line, they’ve built new accessible toilets, brand new and improved paths and seating, brought in an education centre, and even constructed a new, fully accessible, two-storey viewing structure. With plans for raised beds for disabled children to go on a bug hunt, and plans for an improved car park, there’s no stopping them!

Inclusive Playgrounds: Every Child Deserves to Play

Last year, we were asked to review the main parks in Calderdale with a focus on inclusive playground equipment. My Play Area reports, pushing for more accessible and inclusive play items, seem to have struck a chord. Every child has the right to play, not to just watch the others, and now I receive regular updates about new equipment and new paths – even new picnic tables going into Shibden and other parks.

Benches, Breaks and Everyday Accessibility

When you go for your walks around town and the countryside, you’ll often take a break sitting on a bench. Have you noticed whether there is space at the side of the bench for a wheelchair user to sit? I’ve asked for this on hundreds and hundreds of occasions, and it’s finally bearing fruit – the message is getting out there! If there isn’t a space, mention it to someone.

Recent Local Successes: Big Changes from Small Starts

Some of our recent successes include:

Brackenbed Park – staff are listening to my advice on their path development throughout the park.

Hebden Bridge Hostel – gave me chapter and verse about a new accessible room design.

Halifax Rugby Club – are now investing in a Changing Places toilet!

Beyond Calderdale: The Reach of Access Audits

And it works further afield. A few years ago, we were asked to audit parts of Raby Castle in Northumberland and train some staff. Lovely place. I remember advising them to change the loose gravel paths in the historical walled garden to something bonded, and to restructure the car park. Then the castle approach was over cobbles and old flags with very limited access once inside. I was told most of the ground floor was level once you’d climbed a few steps. I found a stepped back entrance leading to this level floor and advised building a wooden ramp. This could be removed for filming and photography and wouldn’t compromise their listed status. Eyes lit up! Since then, they’ve told me about the new, improved garden, then the new entrance, then the new car park, and now a completely new visitor centre, and a new website!

And It Keeps On Growing…

Bringing this to a close (I need a second Pisco Sour I think), I’ve literally just received an email from my rock guitarist friend at Brighouse Methodists. They’ve fully accepted my previous audit, and now have architects’ plans they would like me to look over.

From little acorns…

Enjoy the sun, but keep looking and commenting,
Speak soon,
Chris

Accessible Calderdale Disability Access Forum (ACDAF) earned a nomination in the Community Organisation Award for Disability at the National Diversity Awards 2025. This opportunity lets us recognise the grassroots efforts that make Calderdale more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

How ACDAF Strengthens Accessibility in Calderdale

“Central to the Accessible Calderdale Project is the Accessible Calderdale Disability Access Forum, commonly known as ACDAF, whose members are residents of Calderdale with lived experience and a wide range of disabilities.” Moreover, by involving people with firsthand insight, ACDAF shapes every recommendation around real needs and daily challenges.

ACDAF’s Impact on Accessibility and Inclusion in Calderdale

“ACDAF is a pan disability diverse group which includes people with protected characteristics, all with an equal voice.” First, the forum consults on new council-run venues; then it conducts detailed accessibility audits of parks and public transport. Because ACDAF drives co-production from the design stage—“key to the co-production and planning at the design stage of services, organisations, venues and green spaces”—Calderdale now features clearer bus signage and more inclusive play areas.

The Value of Lived Experience

“There is a real added value of working with people with lived experience and ACDAF members provide a pan-disability approach to improving accessibility in Calderdale.” For example, their input led to practical changes: new public toilets in Halifax now include adjustable sinks and alarms, and redesigned drop-kerb crossings accommodate wheelchair turning circles. Consequently, co-production moves beyond theory to transform everyday environments.

How You Can Help Celebrate ACDAF

Voting remains free and takes only moments. To support ACDAF at the National Diversity Awards 2025, visit:
https://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2025/nominations/accessible-calderdale-disability-access-forum/

For more about the work of ACDAF or to join us https://visitsunlimited.org.uk/the-accessible-calderdale-project/

Thank you so much!

By casting your vote, you’ll spotlight lived-experience expertise and inspire further positive change across Calderdale and beyond.

Introducing the Hebden Bridge step-free access map

Accessible Calderdale is delighted to share the newly revised Hebden Bridge step-free access map and guide, 2025 revision. Produced by Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum (HBDAF), this resource highlights town-centre premises with step-free entrances, hearing loops and accessible toilets. Now available in multiple formats, it supports residents and visitors of all abilities to explore Hebden Bridge with confidence.

Overview of the map

The Hebden Bridge step-free access map clearly marks every business and public space that offers step-free access. Alongside this, the back-page guide lists:

• Premises with level or ramped entry

• Locations fitted with hearing loops

• Accessible toilet facilities

Both the map and guide are printable. A combined PDF and a Word version optimised for screen readers ensure everyone can benefit. As June Eaton of HBDAF explains, “If you need the map and guide in different formats, like jpg or large print, please ask.”

How to access the Hebden Bridge step-free access map

You can always download and print the latest version of the map from HBDAF’s webpage:

Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum and Hebden Access Map

Accessible Calderdale invites organisations to feature the map online or distribute printed copies widely to ensure everyone can find step-free routes and facilities in Hebden Bridge. You can also read more about HBDAF, their work and campaigns.

Inclusive formats and additional support

HBDAF has made the Hebden Bridge step-free access map accessible to all:

• Screen-reader friendly Word file

• Printable PDFs

• High-resolution JPGs and large-print versions upon request

Moreover, you can scan the QR code for current grants from the Community Foundation for Calderdale to support further accessibility projects. “Scan the QR Code for our current grants,” notes Rob Billson, Grants Manager at CFFC.

Why step-free access matters

Step-free access transforms urban spaces into inclusive environments. Consequently, people using wheelchairs, mobility aids or parents with pushchairs can navigate town centres independently. Moreover, hearing loops and accessible toilets improve experiences for those with sensory or personal care needs. For more information information on making your venue more accessible conatct us

Take action today

To explore Hebden Bridge without barriers, download your map now and share it with friends, family and customers.

Let’s make Calderdale open to everyone!

Introduction

This week marks mental health awareness week. It’s sad in a developed nation that we still need such existence of a week to raise awareness that looking after your mental wellbeing is as important as physical health. These statements underscore why we pause each year to focus on our inner resilience. By spotlighting mental wellbeing, we challenge the misconception that psychological health is secondary to physical fitness and encourage collective responsibility.

Everyone Has Mental Health

Everyone has mental health, we all can suffer from adverse factors happening in our life and it’s important that we remember this always. No one is immune to stress, grief or change. Consequently, recognising early warning signs such as sleep disturbance or withdrawal allows friends, family and professionals to intervene before issues escalate.

Confronting Stigma and Criticism

It seems a popular notion of late to berate and critic those with mental illness. Apparently too many people are being diagnosed ! Such attitudes deepen isolation and deter individuals from seeking help. Moreover, reframing mental illness as a treatable condition rather than a personal failing fosters understanding and compassion across communities.

Rising Suicide Rates

Yet the data tells us that suicides have been the highest since 1999. This shouldn’t be a shock if you have been in the UK long enough to see the pressures of life which we face. Financial strain, social media and rapid change all contribute. By sharing up-to-date statistics and personal stories, we demystify the crisis and motivate policymakers to allocate resources effectively.

The Daily Battle of Illness

Those pressures obviously hit those with mental illness the hardest. Mental illness is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone it’s a disease which is with you constantly which takes great strength and courage to fight daily. Acknowledging this relentless struggle honours the bravery of those affected and reminds us that support networks are not optional but essential.

The Role of the Third Sector

So what do we do ? We cannot give up? The third sector along with charity partnerships offer a lifeline in helping people who do not qualify for NHS services or need additional help in there lives. Organisations such as Mind deliver tailored counselling, peer-support groups and crisis lines. Their innovative schemes bridge gaps in care and ensure no one faces distress alone.

Innovative Low Cost Approaches

Innovative low cost approaches work and we need to not be afraid of trying these to aid our knowledge and try to save one more life and ease those with mental distress. From digital apps to community-led workshops, these models empower individuals to manage anxiety and depression proactively. Piloting such programmes can uncover best practices for scalable impact.

Physical Disability and Mental Health

Physical disability and mental health challenges often go together due to a complex set of factors. Social discrimination and lack of integrated care are just a part of the difficulties that people with mobility issues face in their life. People with physical disabilities are five times more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to the general population.

Conclusion

Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that psychological resilience underpins all lives. By confronting stigma, backing third sector initiatives and championing innovative, low cost interventions—especially for those with physical disabilities—we foster a truly inclusive society. Let us commit today to learning, connecting and protecting each other’s mental wellbeing.

Sara

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Disability Access Audits: Improving Inclusion in the Heritage Sector

Disability Access Audits are essential tools in creating truly inclusive spaces, especially within the heritage sector. As Katie Clarke from Visits Unlimited highlights in her interview with the Historic Environment Forum, “access audits are not a tick-box exercise – they are an opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes.” This perspective underpins the transformative power of these audits.

Katie, whose lived experience as a parent to a disabled adult child has deeply shaped her work, explains how Access Audits can open doors — literally and metaphorically. The process involves a detailed review of how accessible a building, service, or environment is to people with a wide range of access needs. More than just ramps and lifts, audits take into account signage, communication, sensory experience, and customer service. The aim is to promote an environment where everyone can participate fully and with dignity.

Understanding the Value of Disability Access Audits

In heritage and cultural settings, accessibility presents unique challenges due to the historic fabric of the buildings. However, as Katie states, “there is always something that can be done.” Through Disability Access Audits, venues learn how to make reasonable adjustments while preserving the character of historic spaces.

The work of Visits Unlimited goes beyond physical audits — it includes training and staff engagement. “We support organisations to be brave, to start the conversation and to listen,” Katie says. The process encourages organisations to move past fear of getting things wrong and instead focus on continual improvement.

A Catalyst for Cultural Change

Disability Access Audits also play a key role in promoting organisational resilience and diversity. By embedding inclusive practices, heritage sites can serve a broader audience and foster long-term community engagement. Katie notes how inclusion “sits at the heart of resilience,” emphasising that accessibility isn’t a one-off project but a long-term commitment to cultural change.

For those looking to improve accessibility within their own organisations, support and resources are available at Visits Unlimited.

Ultimately, Disability Access Audits are not just about compliance — they’re about compassion, insight, and empowering all visitors to enjoy heritage equally.

You can read the full article here :- https://historicenvironmentforum.org.uk/diversity-inclusion-resilience-an-interview-with-katie-clarke-at-visits-unlimited/

Contact us to discuss your access audits countrywide.

The Importance of a Disability Access Audit for Inclusive Outdoor Spaces

Hi guys,

I’m just sitting here in the spring sunshine – (waiting for the hour to change at the weekend) – which sets me to thinking about one of the best parts of my job – auditing ( Disability Access Audit ) open spaces.

Getting outside in the sunshine, looking at green spaces, parks and riverside walks.

I’ve done plenty over the years, with commissions for country parks, civic parks, play areas and river walks to name but a few, and nowadays it’s gratifying to see some results coming through.

I’ve always liked the concept of civic parks – a taste of the country on your doorstep, to use for rest and relaxation after a hard week’s work. Of course, more people came to realise their value with Covid providing the impetus to get out in the fresh air whilst having room to keep a safe distance from other users.

Ensuring Accessibility for All

But I want these spaces to be inclusive, accessible to all, so I look in forensic detail at paths and benches and toilets etc – the things that can make or break your few hours in the sun. I particularly look at play areas, making sure all children can actually participate, not just sit looking on as their mates have the time of their lives. Spaces and routes for wheelchair users around the equipment, colours to catch people’s notice, textures to feel, noises to hear – everybody can be accommodated with a little imagination. You can have a ramp into a playhouse, and you can get anyone onto a roundabout with a little decent design.

The Role of Local Volunteers

Of course, I’m never alone in this outdoor mission – every audit brings me into contact with urban warrior volunteers with great knowledge, helpful advice, and of course, plenty of enthusiasm.

I must mention two in particular here – the late, lamented Joan who accompanied me around Shroggs Park and Paddock Gardens to name but two, full of energy and information and humour, and Hakar who has pushed me around so many green spaces, manhandling me in and out of my car when parked on sloping, cobbled roads, rushing off to take photos in places I could never reach, and still having the time to explain the whole of world politics to me on the way home!

Positive Changes in Accessibility with a Disability Access Audit

Positive changes I’ve noticed include the super-fast construction of a new, accessible path across Brackenbed Park, the remodelling of the lower path into Bramston Park, the construction of a massive, accessible viewing structure at Cromwell Bottom (amongst many other inclusive improvements there), oversight of huge flood mitigation measures in Wellholme Park and inclusive changes to many play areas around the area.

I’ve had lovely surprises – enjoying conducting an audit at Crow Wood Park and coming across a superb, unexpected, accessible Boules Court – now that’s a good game for all, in a wheelchair or not, totally inclusive.

And I’ve had shocks – checking Shibden Park, having been told their tourist train is fully accessible, only to find it actually didn’t have an accessible carriage connected – it was hidden back in the car park because it made the train too long to be maneuverable!

Looking Ahead

So, I look forward to the new season. What could be better? Countryside drive, sitting in a lovely park with my packed lunch, chance of an ice-cream later, and always on every single job, chance encounters and conversations with so many lovely people. It’s amazing how interesting people find a lone wheelchair user, sandwich in hand, moving around taking notes and photographs – they just have to ask!

Feel free, maybe I’ll see you next time?

Chris

Contact us to discuss your access audits countrywide.

What is an Access Audit and Why Is It Important for Your Venue?

An access audit is a thorough evaluation that assesses how accessible your venue is for people with disabilities. This audit is essential in identifying potential barriers and recommending practical solutions to ensure your venue is inclusive to all. The goal is to make your venue accessible not just for disabled visitors, but for a wider audience, including families with young children, the elderly, and people with mobility scooters. In short, an access audit aims to enhance your venue’s overall accessibility and provide a better experience for everyone who visits.

✅ We provide access audits across the country!

Why You Need an Access Audit

Whatever sort of venue you run, you want as many people as possible to visit it. You want lots of people in, lots of money to be spent and satisfied customers. Remember, if your venue is good for disabled people then it’s good for everyone – families with buggies, kids on bikes, older people, those with mobility scooters and the rest.

Disabled people are all members of families want to enjoy life just like everyone else. If they’ve gone to lots of trouble to research your venue, work out how to get there, then they want the family to enjoy a proper, and uncomplicated visit.

✅ They need access all around the site, somewhere to eat/picnic, toilets for everyone – and if it’s really going well, buying presents in the welcoming gift shop.
✅ A big family group and friends included would all need to get in, to eat, to have treats, to buy gifts, so the money soon adds up! Remember the Purple Pound should not be ignored.

Why Choose Visits Unlimited for Your Access Audit?

At Visits Unlimited, we go beyond basic compliance. While others might simply point out what’s missing, we provide actionable recommendations tailored to your venue. When I visit your venue, I take the time to get to know you and your premises. I’ll write you a detailed report with lots of comments and recommendations, and I’ll always explain our suggestions. For example:

✅ Parking Spaces: “They say – you have four disabled parking spaces. I say – whether that is sufficient, if they are large enough, marked out properly, signed, and located correctly.”

✅ Accessible Toilets: “They say – your accessible toilet is too small. I say – how large it should be, where it could be relocated, what it should contain.”

✅ Café Accessibility: “They say – the café is accessible. I say – but the door is too stiff and the approach is too steep.”

I also address path surfaces, seating provision, and other details, ensuring your venue meets the highest standards. As I often explain, “You may have heard of ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ in this regard – we’ll have a grown-up discussion about how they might apply to your venue.”

The Benefits of Accessibility and Social Media Promotion

Accessibility matters, not just for the sake of disabled visitors. It has a broader impact on your venue’s reputation. The disabled community is particularly active on social media, and a positive experience at your venue will quickly be shared online. Word-of-mouth recommendations can go viral, leading to more disabled visitors and their families making the effort to visit your venue.

This increased footfall can result in more spending. Disabled visitors will spend money not only on tickets or entrance fees but also on food, gifts, and other services at your venue. By making your venue accessible, you are investing in long-term success. It’s a win-win situation: you provide an inclusive, welcoming space for all visitors, and in return, you benefit from increased customer loyalty and spending.

If you’re interested in learning more about our access audits and how they can improve your venue’s accessibility, please get in touch with Katie at katie@visitsunlimited.org.uk. Or contact us here https://visitsunlimited.org.uk/contact-us/ .Our friendly auditor, Chris, will be happy to guide you through the process and help you make your venue more accessible for everyone.