Training, Consultation and Collaboration provides a sound base for shared decision making. Face-to-face consultation is recommended at regular intervals throughout any adaptation or new build. Outcomes that have been informed by ongoing consultation with the end user(s) working alongside people who have relevent expertise will most likely generate creative solutions that are acceptable to all parties. Developing a consensus approach is recommended through the following means:
2.1 Training
Training for staff and volunteers is very important when it comes to breaking down stereotypes, overcoming preconceptions and developing confidence in working with people who have a disability. Understanding and awareness give people the knowledge and confidence required to carry out a job or task while always demonstrating good practice in working with, communicating with and assisting people who have a disability.
There are different types and approaches to training depending on the circumstances and training requirements.
- Disability Awareness Training provides information on different disabilities and raises awareness of issues and barriers faced by people who have a disability.
- Disability Equality Training, which is underpinned by a rights based and social model of disability, explores the role of society and of participants in creating a more inclusive environment.
While a combination of both disability awareness and disability equality training approaches can be a useful style, disability equality training is potentially more effective as it strives to achieve attitudinal change at an organisational level so that disability equality is embedded in very practical ways within all policies, procedures and practices of an organisation.
- Inclusive Adventure Activities Training which is aimed at the outdoor/adventure sectors, can be tailored to be site specific.
The opportunity for staff to avail of relevant and activity specific workshops on a regular basis should be available.
Relevant training can be sourced from the organisations listed below that develop and deliver training and education workshops across Access, Sports, Fitness, Adventure and Education sectors.
- Irish Wheelchair Association – Sport. IWA-Sport advises and consults on inclusive leisure and sporting activities. https://www.iwasport.com | info@iwasport.com
- CARA – Sport Inclusion Ireland, delivers Inclusive Adventure Activities Training.
http://www.caracentre.ie | training@caracentre.ie
- Irish Wheelchair Association – Access Advisory Team advises and consults regarding best practice accessible design in the built environment. http://www.iwa.ie | access@iwa.ie
2.2 Developing an Access Improvement Plan
As a first step and using one of the site specific Self-assessment Access Checklists given in Appendix 1 of this Guide, carry out an on-site review of the site location and facilities provided. The completion of the site specific checklist will begin to identify locations and facilities that may require access improvements or complete renewal. By completing the checklist relevant to each location it will be possible to begin to develop a draft outline of potential upgrades for discussion and ongoing consultation with relevant local stakeholders.
Following the completion of the site specific self-assessment checklist:
- Identify local stakeholders across each disability group and include people who may have specific knowledge and experience within the great outdoors.
- Invite the participation of local stakeholders in the development and delivery of an access improvement plan including the identification of any additional access improvement works not identified through the completion of the checklist.
- Agree the means of consultation, the likely timing and extent of participation with stakeholders. The completed self-assessment checklist gives a starting point for discussion. Consultation should continue throughout any access upgrade or new build project until completion.
- Begin to agree and develop a site specific plan that outlines the detail of the access upgrades/complete renewal to be carried out along with time lines for completion.
Ask
Consult with individuals, advocates, disability organisations and staff working closely with individuals to identify visitor needs in your area.
- Ask simple questions to find out if individuals have any specific requirements that must be accommodated for example; “what can we do to assist you in using the outdoor environment?”
- Become aware. Examine the environment/amenity you manage and the service you provide with a view to potential obstacles and difficulties that may exist for people with disabilities using the environment/service.
- Develop programmes and activities in collaboration with local disability groups and organisations.
Listen
Recognise that people with disabilities, family members, advocates and disability organisations working closely with individuals are the experts on their accessibility requirements;
- Listen attentively to feedback.
- Listen to any suggestions made for addressing requirements
- Regularly review progress and plan for any further requirements.
Learn
Work collaboratively to plan change and adaptations. Ensure that there is sufficient and clear information gathered to inform the design of any proposed changes to make the great outdoors more accessible to people with a disability.
- Complete any additional research/consultation to learn about individuals’ requirements prior to carrying out any work.
Plan
While it will not always be possible to meet all requirements of people with disabilities a positive approach can work towards understanding and incrementally meeting people’s needs and requirements.
- Develop a plan in consultation with local relevant disability organisations/groups that will support and guide in making the services provided more accessible.
- Set out a service plan of action to address identified issues.
- Set out clear protocols and guidance for staff awareness workshops etc.
- Set out roles and responsibilities.
- Create a Disability Liaison/Access Officer post within your organisation.
Do
- Adopt policies and protocols that:
- Set out the standard steps to follow in order to achieve accessible environments.
- Implement the adopted policies and protocols.
- Provide clear leadership.
- Provide training and mentoring.
- Establish systems to monitor and review areas of development.
- Offer a feedback and complaints system.
- Ensure feedback informs the regular review of service and development plans.
- Consult and collaborate with disability organisations/groups with regard to planned upgrades, Development of Programmes and necessary equipment that may need to be provided
2.3 Consultation and Collaboration
With target audiences, it is vital to ensure that the correct information is obtained and managed effectively. Consultation requires site and land managers to focus attention on any issues or concerns identified in consultation with people who have a disability. In addition to focussing on issues and concerns that may need to be addressed, site and land managers should also discuss what is working well for people with disabilities within the relevant outdoor environment.
Additional Resources available
Provide Disability Equality Training to Staff Guidelines (National Disability Authority)
http://nda.ie/Resources/Accessibility-toolkit/Provide-disability-equality-training-to-staff/
“Ensuring an accessible environment is the key to inclusiveness: remove the barriers and we can all enjoy the outdoors, in the same way as our peers”
– Quote from National Online Survey 2017
