The Access Audit Handbook: An inclusive approach to auditing buildings

Centre for Accessible Environments Founded in 1969, CAE is one of the UK's leading authorities on inclusive design and management and, through access consultancy and training, helps to provide environments that can be accessed, used and enjoyed by everyone. CAE pioneered the provision of access guidance for building designers based on collaborative research with disabled people and this remains core to its activities and services. As a leader in promoting design for disabled people and inclusive design, CAE's research projects and partnerships in the UK and overseas keep the team at the forefront of user-led intelligence which informs our work and services. CAE has produced technical input into research reports and toolkits on accessible standards and access publications. Since 2020 CAE has run the Pathways Academy, an initiative to support young disabled people into employment in the inclusion sector. CAE is part of Habinteg Housing Association, a leader in building and promoting accessible and inclusive homes and communities. Find out more about us at www.cae.org.uk

Introduction 1.0 Access audits1.1 What is an access audit?1.2 Access audits and the Equality Act 20101.3 Access audits, access statements and the planning and building regulations process1.4 What follows an access audit?1.5 Commissioning an access audit 2.0 Audit methodology2.1 The site survey2.2 What do you audit?2.3 Survey equipment2.4 Observational assessment2.5 Data recording2.6 User participation2.7 Building management 3.0 Report writing3.1 A communication tool3.2 Report formats3.3 Establishing the legislative context3.4 Criteria for assessment and design guidance3.5 Making recommendations3.6 Priorities and categories3.7 Cost banding 4.0 Case Studies 4.1 Almeida Theatre4.2 Penguin Beach , ZSL 4.3 Christ Church4.4 Guildhall, City of London 4.5 Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London4.6 Hebdon Bridge Town Hall 5.0 Access audit checklists 6.0 Appendices6.1 Organisations6.2 Publications IndexImage Credits