Courses in inclusive design and access
The NRAC does not accredit or specifically recommend any of the following courses. Application to the NRAC is skills based and there is not a direct link between any of the following courses and gaining membership of the NRAC. These details are provided only to assist those seeking to locate courses. All details known at the time of writing have been included.
Short Courses
Babel Disability Access Consultants
Contact Emma Luddington, tel 020 8400 1440 or email ell@babel.ltd.uk. More details on the website www.babel.ltd.uk.
Disability Discrimination Act Including the 2005 Updates
- Half-day course. Aimed at anyone involved in the running of an organisation with employees and customers. This course covers key aspects of the updated disability discrimination legislation - including the provisions of the DDA 2005 .
Local Government - New Public Duties
- One day course. A comprehensive overview of the new duties placed on public bodies under the new Disability Discrimination Act of 2005. This course provides delegates with the knowledge and skills to take their organisation forward in the development of policies, practices and procedures in line with the Equality Standard for Local Government.
Planning for Action
- One day course. This course provides the knowledge and tools for organisations to implement change and to improve access to businesses and services - sessions include what the law says, how to develop your Access Action Plans and useful value-for-money tips.
SENDA, the SEN Framework and the DDA
- One day course. A review of the new duties for providers of Further and Higher Education in September 2005 under the Disability Discrimination Act, and SENDA. This course is aimed at those involved in the management, curriculum development and promotion of Post -16 educational institutions.
Access and the Built Environment - Bespoke Building Managers Course
- One day course. This course provides building managers with the knowledge and tools to improve access to buildings and the services offered from them. The course includes updates on the legislation, the identification of key access barriers on site and how to commission an access audit.
Access Auditor Training
- Two day course. This course is an intensive introduction to the Disability Discrimination Act, the principles of creating an accessible built environment, environmental design and the assessment of accessibility via access audits. This course is suits candidates in related professions looking to add an additional skill within their organisation or even for a change of career.
Part M, Access Statements & Design Guidance UPDATED for 2005
- Half-day course This course is a review of Part M of the Building Regulations, including the amendments to the design guidance in AD M, the duties for design teams to prepare Access Statements as well as an overview of other inclusive design guidance.
Technical Solutions to access issues in buildings
- One day course. Aimed at building professionals responsible for the commissioning and design of access improvements in the built environment. The course covers issues of specification writing, product assessment and troubleshooting common problems on site.
Centre for Accessible Environments
Contact the Training Coordinator, tel 020 7840 0125 or email training@cae.org.uk. More details on the website www.cae.org.uk
Inclusive Environments - Access Auditing Skills (Runs six times a year)
- Access audit training for those seeking to develop skills as access auditors or those wishing to reinforce existing skills. The course provides training in access awareness, legislation and access auditing.
- A three day non-residential course. Cost £655 for non-members, £590 members
In-house training/ In-house training for occupational therapists
- CAE also provides customised training in house to individual clients, including architects, surveyors, facilities managers, asset holders and their property managers, access groups and occupational therapists. In-house training is available throughout the UK and overseas on a wide range of topics from accessible housing design to access consultancy, including access auditing, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Certificates of attendance and CPD hours can be provided for all training.
Centre for Accessible Environments and Habinteg
Lifetime Homes Training
In recognition of the need for a more technical understanding of Lifetime Homes, Habinteg and CAE have produced a new one-day Lifetime Homes training course, aimed at a professional audience including architects, planners, developers and Registered Social Landlord development staff.
This will cover all aspects of the subject, including:
- the 16 Lifetime Homes design criteria
- interpretation and compliance
- comparisons between Lifetime Homes criteria and Part M
- best practice and additional guidance
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The one-day course will offer opportunities to pose questions about Lifetime
Homes, and delegates will be invited to take part in practical exercises, helping
them gain an in-depth understanding of the design criteria and their application.
Courses will commence in March 2009 (dates to be confirmed shortly). To register your interest, contact CAE's training coordinator at training@cae.org.uk
For further general information about the Lifetime Homes standards, click here to visit the Lifetime Homes website.
Cromer Portland
Please note that all Cromer Portland training courses are still available from Jean Hewitt www.jean-hewitt.co.uk (see entry under Jean Hewitt)
Dickinson Associates
Contact Joe Dickinson, tel 01670 505600, Andrew Lord, tel 01865 880644 and Peter Shallcross 01606 557111. More details on the website www.dickinsonassociates.co.uk
Accessible environments courses
- A series of introductory half day, one day, or three day in depth courses aimed at technical staff involved in the design, refurbishment, and maintenance of buildings and facilities (architects, surveyors, engineers, etc). Courses can also be tailored to suit Building and Facility Managers responsible for running day to day operations, instigating programmed maintenance, and minor works projects, or other senior staff involved in property management.
Disability East -- Essex Disabled People's Association
Contact EDPA on tel 01245 253 400 or email info@essexdpa.org. More details on the website www.essexdpa.org
Access Auditors Course
- Essex Disabled People's Association Ltd (EDPA) has a level 3 vocational course, accredited by the National Awarding Body (NCFE). Open to students with no formal building or architectural training, who are residents of the county of Essex. This intensive 13 week, 5- unit course, is specifically aimed at disabled people, currently economically inactive (unemployed, or early retirement), seeking to return to employment. Selection of candidates is by interview, with funding through the European Social Fund (ESF). EDPA has a post-training mentorship programme funded by ExDRA/ESF operated by Essex Disability Access Services Limited.
Evans Jones LLP
Evans Jones has an enviable reputation for training, seminars and public addresses. We are regularly asked to train auditors and make presentations on aspects of the law and disability legislation. Training ranges from short sessions for CPD purposes through to extended courses for access auditors and property professionals.
Detailed below is an overview of our forthcoming Access Auditor training course.
Access Auditor Training Course
The Evans Jones LLP Access Auditor Course is designed to give candidates a sound basis for a career in access auditing: The course covers:
- The Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005
- What constitutes a reasonable adjustment?
- Planning, conservation area and listed building consents — when are they required?
- Other relevant legislation: building regulations, highways, health and safety etc
- Professional matters: insurance, ethics, taking instructions
- Building design features — what is good practice?
- Practical access audit exercise
The course develops, to undertake an access audit of all elements of a property, including its management and maintenance, using simple survey tools. Participants will be encouraged to produce their own access audit at the end of the course which will be reviewed by one of the trainers and NRAC consultants following completion.
Course duration: Two days
Course dates:
- Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June 2008
- Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 October 2008
Cost: £500 + VAT per person
Institute of Public Finance Property and Software Division
Courses designed primarily for Local Authorities and organisations with large property portfolios and can be customised to their specific needs. Courses are charged at a daily rate for the trainer, and are normally held at the clients own premises.
Contact: David Brindley, tel 01244 399699 or tax 01244 399601. More details on the website www.ipf.com
Access audit training
- Half day overview of the Disability Discrimination Act and Introduction to Access Audits. Designed specifically for property managers to give a background to their duties and responsibilities
- One day access audit course aimed a property professionals to introduce them to access audits
- One day awareness course aimed at property maintenance staff to highlight how access improvements can be integrated into maintenance programmes
- Computerised Access Audit techniques. One day course in the use of handheld data collection to carry out access audits
Harrow Association of Disabled people
Contact Yvonne Young, tel 0208 861 9920, fax 0208 861 9921, or email y.young@had.org.uk
Jean Hewitt Consulting Limited
Training programmes include:
- Fire and Emergency Evacuation Planning for Disabled People
- Managing Inclusive Service
- Universal Design and Access Auditing
Jean is a chartered FM Surveyor with NRAC, IEC and MIFPO accreditation. She holds a City and Guilds Certificate in teaching in the field of access and disability and delivers training regularly for the British Institute of Facilities Management, Citylit and other professional providers. Individual or group in-house training sessions delivered throughout the UK.
Contact Jean Hewitt, tel 01707 251246, mobile 07788 710044, email jean@jhc.gb.com
www.jean-hewitt.co.uk
DDA for Building Managers (1, 2 or 3 days)
These tailored programmes give a broad spectrum of pan-disability learning opportunities from legislation and standards, through to practical quick-win suggestions for improving accessibility to services. Workshops include a mini audit, and problem-solving of everyday scenarios. All programmes are interwoven with disability equality and awareness exercises, giving delegates a holistic approach to accessibility and universal design.
Access and Disability Equality and Awareness for Customer Facing Staff (1.5-3 hours)
These sessions are highly interactive, enabling all attendees to reach a broad understanding of the DDA and the way in which access to services can be improved. This is a non-technical course designed to challenge thinking about disability issues, encouraging debate and discussion around inclusive service provision. It is ideal for any front of house staff, including reception, security, tour guides, retail operators etc. Bespoke programmes are also arranged to meet specific client needs and delegate information and comprehensive study packs can be provided.
JMU Access Partnership
Workshops for a maximum of 16 participants. Highly participative, comprising presentations, question and answer sessions, discussions and practical case studies. Held on various dates in different locations around the UK. JMU has offices in London, Leeds, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
Contact Michael Parsons, Training Coordinator, tel 020 7391 2002, or email training@jmuaccess.org.uk. More details on the website www.jmuaccess.org.uk
Access Awareness (one day)
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the relationship between design and disability, appreciate the access requirements of disabled people, recognise the access implications of the Disability Discrimination Act, and identify good and bad practice in accessible design. Can be condensed and delivered in a one-hour CPD session on request.
Access Statements (one day)
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the relationship between design and disability, appreciate the benefits of inclusive design, recognise the access implications of the Disability Discrimination Act, and apply the guidance on access statements at the 4 stages - strategic, planning, design and occupation. Can be condensed and delivered in a one-hour CPD session on request.
Planning for Access (one day)
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the relationship between design and disability, appreciate the access requirements of disabled people, explain how planners and building control officers can influence the creation of accessible environments, and recognise the access implications of the Disability Discrimination Act. Can be condensed and delivered in a one-hour CPD session on request.
Access in the Pedestrian Environment (one day)
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the relationship between design and disability, appreciate the access requirements of disabled people, identify good and bad practice in the pedestrian environment, specify the design and layout of pedestrian paths, crossing points, tactile paving and street furniture. Can be condensed and delivered in a one-hour CPD session on request.
Signage and Wayfinding (one day)
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the relationship between signs and the Disability Discrimination Act, appreciate how the 2004 Part III Provisions of Goods, Facilities and Services will affect signage, incorporate visually impaired user behaviour into signage planning and development, identify Best Practice signage, and know who needs to comply with the legislation.
Colour and Contrast
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand how visually impaired people perceive their environment, appreciate the principles of using colour and tone contrast and lighting to improve environments, identify good and bad practice, and specify how colour contrast should be applied.
Becoming an Access Consultant (two day)
- By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the relationship between design and disability, appreciate the access requirements of disabled people, recognise the access implications of the Disability Discrimination Act, apply the requirements of access regulations and standards to new and existing premises, and identify good and bad practice in accessible design.
- In 2 days no-one can train you to be an access auditor but the course can, provide an outline of the key issues for those considering this work or enable practising auditors to update their skills.
MaceMark Access Consultants
Contact Keith Macey on 01303 298 373, or email enquiries@macemark.co.uk More details on the website www.macemark.co.uk
Access Auditor Training
- Two day course covering the legislative framework; reasonable adjustments; design standards and Codes of Practice; audit methodology and report writing. This course is aimed at delegates new to access auditing or from a related background.
Disability Equality and Awareness Training
- Half day workshop in understanding the needs of disabled people, including simulation of sensory loss; cognitive impairments and reduced mobility. This course is ideal for frontline staff, as well as managers and senior staff.
Construction Training for Access Auditors
- One day course aimed at access auditors from a non-construction background. Course content includes: the construction process; understanding technical drawings and specifications; construction techniques and knowledge for making access improvements. The course focuses on the differences in core competencies between auditors and consultants.
Technical Standards and Inclusive Design
- Half day course covering the key standards of BS8300, Approved Document M, access statements, best practice design guides, principles and application of inclusive design. This course is aimed at architects, surveyors, engineers, planners and associated professions.
DDA 2005
- Half day course covering the requirements of the DDA 2005, including: wider definition of disability; removal of private clubs exemption; landlords duties; disability equality duty; transport provisions.
Public Sector Duty
- Half day course covering the new duties for public authorities introduced under the DDA 2005, including the preparation of Disability Equality Schemes.
Transport Provisions 2006
- Half day course covering the management, provision and use of transport vehicles. Aimed at vehicle providers including taxis and private hire vehicles; coach operators; breakdown recovery vehicles; local authority licensing officers.
Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA)
- Half day course covering the SENDA duties (including accessibility plans and strategies); the SEN framework for disabled school children; and the relationship with the DDA.
RIBA North West
Contact Anthony Bott or Melinda Mowbray on tel 01565 652 927
Becoming an Access Consultant
- This two day course, held at various RIBA regional offices around the country, conceived with the advice and assistance of the JMU Access Partnership, is specifically tailored for architects.
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS is staging two consecutive access training courses held over three days. The courses are designed to help participants understand inclusive environments and access statements.
Contact Alister Riedl, Events Assistant, tel 020 7695 1600, email ariedl@rics.org. For more information visit the website www.rics.org
Inclusive Environments (two-day course)
- examine aspects of the DDA and other legislation associated with the surveying, development, management and maintenance of premises
- become familiar with and learn how to carry out access audits
Access Statements/Part M (one-day course held directly after Inclusive Environments)
- examine the aims and uses of Access Statements in the built environment from inception through to the occupancy stage of a project.
RNIB Business Services Training Programme
RNIB are currently promoting a wide range of open courses. This > includes training in disability awareness, accessible information, > website design, product design and accessible environments.
If you would like to discuss any RNIB training courses or services, please contact The Business Development Team, Tel - 01733 375345 Fax - 01733 375379, email busdev@rnib.org.uk
Courses are available covering the following areas -
Customer Service
- Visual Awareness
- Disability Awareness Training
Information Provision
- Making your Message Accessible
- Designing Clear and Large Print
- What is an Accessible Website
- Braille transcription using the Duxbury Braille Translator
- Creating your own DAISY or Digital Audio on CD
- Making the most of your Points of Sale
Product Design
- Inclusive Product Design
Accessible Environment
- Access Awareness
- The Disability Equality Duty
- Enabling Access in the Pedestrian Environment
- Colour Contrast and Lighting
- Signage and Wayfinding
- Planning for Access
- Becoming an Access Consultant
Access to Employment
- Seeing the potential - Recruiting and Selecting Staff with Disabilities
For more information on Accessible Environment courses, dates and prices please see the training pages on www.jmuaccess.org.uk
Vision Sense
Vision Sense is running a series of short courses in the North of England. Contact Tom Morgan, tel 0845 108 0553, email tom@visionsense.co.uk. For more information visit the website www.visionsense.co.uk.
Disabled People, Employment and HR, Policy, Practice and DDA Legal Update
- One-day course aimed at policy directors with human resource managment responsibility, human resource officers and senior managers, equality and diversity officers, disability employment and resettlement officers and occupational health professionals.
- The course covers a wide variety of disability and human resource management issues, for example the disability dimension in human resources, recruitment and selection, absence and the end of employment, harassment and discrimination and disciplinary and grievance procedures. It also covers the Disability Discrimination Act, case law and reasonable adjustments.
Inclusive Environments, Facilities and Buildings, including Access and Emergency Egress of Disabled People.
- One-day course aimed at facilities managers, access officers, property developers, planning officers and consultants, project managers and historic building officers
- The course covers principles of inclusive access, Part M of the Building Regulations, BS8300, inclusive projects, reasonableness, elininating access barriers in practice, signage and wayfinding, emergency egress, accessible venues and access statements.
Top of page
Long Courses
Salford University
Contact Marcus Ormerod, SURFACE Inclusive Design research Centre on email m.ormerod@salford.ac.uk More information on the websites www.inclusive-design.it or www.inclusive-environments.co.uk
Postgraduate certificate in accessibility and inclusive design
Postgraduate diploma in accessibility and inclusive design
MSc in accessibility and inclusive design
- These courses are designed to bridge the gap between our understanding of theory and translating this into practice in designing inclusive environments for everyone to use. This is achieved through the implementation of the latest research and cutting edge developments into the course, and through the knowledge and personal experience of the course tutors, Teaching and learning is undertaken via internet-based tutorials and learning packages of relevant materials. The need to attend the University in person is therefore minimal. Assessment is through practical assignments based on areas of interest.
- The courses will be of interest to people wishing to enter this field but with limited practical knowledge and/or experience, and to professionals already working in the field of access auditing and consultancy. There are two routes of entry; one for those with existing academic qualifications and one for those without formal qualifications.
MPhil (Masters of Philosophy)
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
- Students with a first degree who wish to research an area rather than undertake a formal taught course are encouraged to consider these alternative academic courses.
The University of Reading
Contact G. Cook on email g.k.cook@rdg.ac.uk. More information on the websites www.rdg.ac.uk and www.creem.rdg.ac.uk/ie/index.htm.
MSc Inclusive Environments (Flexible Modular Masters Programme)
- This post-graduate programme offers a stimulating learning environment to those involved in design and management of the built environment for all users. The programme is focused on examining the needs and addressing the issues faced by all users, including those with a sensory impairment, physical disability or learning difficulty. It will also allow non-construction professionals to study construction and transport related areas they are often required to address, but for which they currently receive little formal training. The multi-professional approach of this programme will allow the providers of environments to be fully aware of the capabilities and needs of all users and, in turn, for users and those who assist them to experience the problems faced by the providers.
- Candidates should normally hold a relevant first degree or an equivalent professional qualification and should have relevant professional experience.
- It is possible to complete individual modules rather than the whole MSc programme.
The University of Ulster
Contact George Heaney, The Centre for Universal Accessibility, tel 028 9036 6086, fax: 028 9036 6875, or email sg.heaney@ulster.ac.uk. More information on the website www.engj.ulst.ac.uk/SCOBE/CPD
Universal design and accessibility (five days)
- The Universal Accessibility Auditing Programme will enable candidates to evaluate and apply the concepts and principles of Universal Accessibility, understand the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act and other relevant, regulations, have an awareness of the medical and/or physical conditions which impact on, accessibility, identify obstacles to accessibility and recognise appropriate solutions, and produce a written Accessibility Audit from either existing or planned buildings and landscapes.
- Candidates are required to have pre-course qualifications or experience and are awarded a certificate of competence on successful completion of the course.
London Metropolitan University
Contact Alan Spindler, tel: 020 7320 1849 or email a.spindler@londonmet.ac.uk. More information on the website www.londonmet.ac.uk
MA Design research for disability
- The philosophy and rationale of the course is based on the view that people with disabilities should have the right to equal opportunities and be able to participate fully in the life of the open community. Therefore it is our intention to produce practitioners who are knowledgeable about the design, making and marketing of equipment for people with special needs.
- Applicants are normally required to possess an Honours degree in three-dimensional design with expertise in areas such as product, interior or architectural design or hold a professional qualification in the life sciences, normally occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech therapy. Consideration will be given to those with a relevant BTEC HND and subsequent work experience.
Heriot Watt University: School of the Built Environment
Contact course director Professor Peter A Aspinall, tel: 0131 451 8160, email p.aspinall@hw.ac.uk or Peter Ingram Monk on email pimonk@tiscali.co.uk. More information on the website www.sbe.hw.ac.uk
Inclusive Environmental Access and Design (Masters / Graduate Certificate)
- New postgraduate CPD course with part-time or distance learning options.
- The course is intended for those involved in the built or natural environment from the point of view of its accessibility, its design, management or function. This is likely to include access auditors, architects, landscape architects, urban designers, surveyors, facilities managers and planners, in addition to a range of health care professionals, rehabilitation workers, occupational therapists, mobility officers and disabled people.
