The National Disability Authority's
Excellence through Accessibility award
was presented to
Mayo County Council
for the
Belmullet Area Office
on December 3rd, 2008. Belmullet Area Office achieved the highest level of the award, which
is Excellence
.
The award was presented by
Minister John Moloney T.D., Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Equality, Disability and Mental Health to
Councillor Gerry Coyle (Area Chairman of Belmullet Electoral Area Committee),
and
Padraig Brogan (Senior Executive Officer, Mayo County Council).
Five accessible car parking spaces have been provided for the Belmullet Area Office. These parking spaces are well marked and well signposted.
Automatic doors allow easy access to Belmullet Area Office. The push button for opening the doors is easy to reach.
Internal signage in Belmullet Area Office is accessible. It has strong colour contrast, raised lettering, and Braille.
Accessible meeting rooms are available in Belmullet Area Office. The door has a long vision panel. A sign on the door indicates that an induction loop for hearing aids is available. Accessible signage is placed conveniently beside the door.
Staff in Belmullet Area Office have received disability awareness training. Lowered counters have been provided to aid customers with disabilities.
Mayo County Council's mission is to improve the quality of life for people living in Mayo and enhance the attractiveness of the county as a place to live in, work, enjoy, and invest. Belmullet Civic Centre houses the Belmullet Regional Office of Mayo County Council. The Belmullet offices opened in late 2006.
Mayo County Council occupies the ground floor of the building, where the public have access to the council offices and the library. The services available in the building include Motor Taxation, cash office, Information Services, Application Forms, Planning services, and Environment services. Services are also available by phone and through the Mayo County Council website.
The library services include books, CDs, cassettes, videos and DVDs. There is free internet access in the library, and free computer classes are provided for older people during the annual festival of Bealtaine. The library also hosts exhibitions, talks and other events for both adults and children, including the Annual Children's Book Festival.
Mayo County Council's Customer Care Charter is comprehensive and is well-promoted. It is on display at public counters and in the library. The Customer Care Charter is referenced in a leaflet that makes reference to the customer complaints procedure. Complaints can be made by e-mail, telephone, in person, or in writing.
Five accessible car parking spaces have been provided for the Belmullet Area Office, with two of those spaces in close proximity to the main entrance. The entrance doors are power assisted to help those with mobility impairments and parents with buggies. Internally, accessible facilities include a separate accessible toilet, and automated doors. Circulation space within the building is generous and unobstructed. Reception desks are well located and accessible to all.
Mayo County Council's staff have excellent knowledge in dealing with requests for information in alternative formats and know how to promote this facility. The Mayo County Council website is well designed and very accessible, and is an example of good design making life easier for users with and without disabilities.
Pictured at the presentation of the Excellence through Accessibility award are:
Some of the people who worked to improve the accessibility of Belmullet Area Office are:
