Scottish Borders Disability Forum

Forum News
ARE YOU A SERVICE PROVIDER?

HOW “ACCESSIBLE” IS YOUR SERVICE?

Helping people with………

Visual Impairment

Make everything easy to see.

· all areas should be well lit
· clearly mark
o telephones
o toilets
o doorway edges, steps and ramps
· signs should be in large plain letters (black against yellow)

For safety………

· Keep floor areas free of obstacles
· Use contrasting colours where floor surfaces meet

Consider using:

· tactile lettering in lifts and on signs
· voice activated information
· tapes and/or Braille as well as printed information

Hearing problems

Your face needs to be seen
· Don’t cover your mouth
· Look directly at the person you are speaking to

Can you be understood?
· Speak slowly and clearly
· Use plain English, avoid long sentences
· Rephrase or write things down if the person seems to be having problems. Be patient
· Avoid background noise, use a quite area if necessary

Use aids when available.
· Induction loop
· British Sign Language (BSL)
· Interpreter – speak to the person not the interpreter

Mobility difficulties

Make space available for wheelchairs to move and turn:
· in toilets with sinks and dispensers at wheelchair height
· treatment areas
· and corridors
· Think about…….
· where furniture is placed
· the height of telephones, counters, door handles, looks and mirrors
· height adjustable beds and treatment tables
· the width of doorways
· disabled parking spaces and how to protect their use

Produced by the users of the Borders Disability Forum and to be treated as a guide only. This only the thoughts of the Borders Disability Forum as to what areas Service Providers should look at and Borders Disability Forum is aware that it cannot cover everything a Service Provider must do, this is suggested starting point