Information that is currently being compiled by members of the South Ayrshire Access Panel will be used to produce Access Guides to Prestwick, Troon, Maybole and Girvan, similar to the Ayr Accessible Guide, and they will be made available to residents and visitors.

The South Ayrshire Access 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, whose parent body is the Scottish Disability Equality Forum, has direct links with South Ayrshire Council through an Officer from the Buildings Standards Service, who is the Council’s Disablement Liaison Officer, and also through an Elected Member of the Council who attends panel meetings.

The Panel seeks to improve the quality of life of disabled people by attempting to create a barrier free environment that increases mobility for people with disabilities and allows them access to a wide range of buildings.

A researcher will be visiting businesses and all licensed premises in Prestwick, Troon Maybole and Girvan during January 2007 to find out just how accessible they are to people with disabilities. All the information that is gathered will be used to produce Access Guides that will be published and made available to residents and visitors to the towns.

Further information on the South Ayrshire Access Panel can be found by logging on to www.south-ayrshire-access-panel.org.uk alternatively anyone who has any questions about the audits or the guides can contact Margaret Shearer telephone number 01292 476758 or 07968 461 156.

December 2006