Important: Cookie Policy
We use cookies to help keep our site relevant and easy to use. To help us do this
we need your permission to use cookies. Read more...
EU legislation requires that all websites clearly specify if cookies are being used
and their purpose. For more information on the cookies we use view our privacy policy.
South Ayrshire Council use Google Analytics which uses cookies to anonymously track
activity on our site. We use this information to keep our site relevant and to make
it easier to use. We have already set a cookie that is essential to the sites operation.
If you accept the use of cookies on this website you will no longer see this message.
We will also place a preference cookie and Google will place temporary session cookies
on your computer.
Should you later, manually delete the preference cookie then you will need to re-confirm
your preference when you next visit this website.
Yes, I accept the use of cookies
Community Services
South Ayrshire Access Panel
What is an Access Panel
The panel is made up of people who give up their own time to campaign for improvements
for the disabled community in South Ayrshire. The panel also has direct links with
the local authority through an officer from the Building Standards Service
who is the Council's Disablement Liaison Officer and also through an Elected Member
of the Council who attends panel meetings.
Integration not Isolation
The South Ayrshire Access Panel, whose parent body is Scottish Disability Equality Forum,
aims to ensure that those involved in the design of new buildings or reconstruction
and adaptation work meet the needs of disabled people. The panel seeks to improve
the quality of life of disabled people by attempting to create a barrier free environment
thus increasing mobility, for example the provision of unrestricted access to public
places and buildings.
With the introduction of The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 the balance is shifting
from disabled people having to adjust to society, towards society adjusting to disabled
people. The panel are actively identifying disabling barriers and assisting South
Ayrshire Council with a long term strategy for a barrier-free environment.
The Panel has Campaigned on Many Issues with Considerable
Success
A major campaign led to an increase in access to disabled amenities in Ayr Town
Centre - including toilets parking and street furniture.
The panel were instrumental in the establishment of the highly successful disabled
shoppers service - Ayr
Shopmobility (01292 618086)
Access For People With Disabilities Investigation
Information has been compiled by members of the South Ayrshire Access Panel and
is used to produce Access Guides to Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Maybole and Girvan, they
are available from the
South Ayrshire Access Panel website.
Pedestrian Crossings
Improvements to ensure the provision of dropped kerbs with tactile paving and allowing
adequate time for a person to cross.
Transport
Improvements to bus signage was an issue raised by the panel to ensure buses could
be identified more easily by people with visual impairment. Discussions took place
with ScotRail to ensure that drivers announce each station as the train arrives.
Leisure
A survey of all South Ayrshire's facilities will result in money being targeted
where it is needed most to improve disabled amenities.
Each year the panel are involved in ensuring that disabled issues are included in
all major events that come to South Ayrshire.
The panel are consulted on all planning applications submitted to South Ayrshire
Council. We try to make sure the needs of the disabled community are met.
Ayr Hospital
The Access Panel along with South Ayrshire Forum On Disability attend The Disability
Forum and have the following successes:
- Wheelchair parking at Accident & Emergency
- Additional disabled parking
- Wheelchair user's assistance callpoint
- Valet parking service
To become a panel member or for further advice and information contact
Mr George Brown
Disablement Liaison Officer
South Ayrshire Council
Burns House
Burns Statue Square
Ayr KA7 1UT
Tel: 01292 616220
Email:george.brown@south-ayrshire.gov.uk