The National Disability Authority's
Excellence through Accessibility award
was presented to
Clare County Council
for
Áras Contae an Chláir
on December 3rd, 2008.
Áras Contae an Chláir
achieved the
second highest
level of the award, which
is Quality
.
The award was presented by
Minister John Moloney T.D., Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Equality, Disability and Mental Health to
Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (Mayor of Clare)
and
Mairead O'Donovan (Administrative Officer, Corporate Services, Clare County Council).
The ground floor foyer in Áras Contae an Chláir is open plan with generous space and no obstacles.
The reception desk in Áras Contae an Chláir is not too high, and has an area with enough knee-space for wheelchair-users. A wheelchair is available for customers' use.
Clare County Council's commitment to accessible customer service is communicated to visitors to Áras Contae an Chláir.
Walkways in Áras Contae an Chláir are wide and have handrails on both sides.
Steps in Áras Contae an Chláir have colour contrast and handrails on both sides.
Clare County Council's mission is to pursue excellence through service delivery and inclusive partnership to advance the social, cultural, economic and environmental development of County Clare. Áras Contae an Chláir is Clare County Council's new corporate headquarters, based in Ennis and was opened in January 2008. Services are available at public counters, by phone, by post and via the Clare County Council website.
Comprehensive policies have been developed by Clare County Council to underpin its commitment to improving the accessibility of its services and facilities. These include an accessibility policy, an accessible information policy, a buildings and services accessibility policy, and an accessibility policy for the procurement of goods or services. Progress on the implementation of these policies is well documented and reported.
Clare County Council strove to achieve a high standard of accessibility in its services and facility when developing Áras Contae an Chláir. In this effort, they availed of advice and site visits from the National Disability Authority at design stage and during construction. Local people with disabilities were also consulted and action was taken as a result of their feedback. The ground floor foyer is open plan with generous space and no obstacles. All of the public counters in the building are open plan into the foyer or onto the corridors. Fifteen accessible car-parking spaces are provided in the main car park. Access into the building is made easy with automatic entrance doors and the open plan design of the various council departments. All departments have fully accessible reception counters with good colour contrast. All public counters and the public gallery in the Council Chambers are fitted with induction loops.
Clare County Council's website conforms to all of the relevant accessibility guidelines for web content.
Pictured at the presentation of the Excellence through Accessibility award are:
Some of the people who worked to improve the accessibility of Áras Contae an Chláir are:
