The National Disability Authority's
Excellence through Accessibility award
was presented to
Galway County Council
for the
Galway County Hall
on December 3rd, 2008.
Galway County Hall
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
Dermot Mahon (Senior Executive Officer, Galway County Council).
Galway County Hall's car park has clearly-marked accessible parking bays that allow drivers to exit their vehicle on whichever side they prefer.
Galway County Hall has automatic entrance doors to allow customers to enter easily. There are also tactile warnings on the ground, and handrails where needed.
Doors inside Galway County Hall are power assisted. The push-button used to open the doors is easy to reach.
Signage in Galway County Hall uses a very good colour contrast, based on Galway's colours. The signs have tactile lettering, Braille, and a clear font. The arrows are correctly positioned on the sign, with left arrows on the left-hand side and right arrows on the right-hand side.
Steps inside Galway County Hall have tactile strips beside them, to help customers with vision impairments. The steps have handrails on both sides, and colour contrast strips on the edges of the steps.
Galway County Council's mission is to deliver inclusive local authority services for County Galway, through effective civic leadership and democratic participation. Galway County Hall in Galway City is the main customer service centre for the county council and was extended in 1999. The services available include Motor Tax, Driving Licences, Planning Services, Map Shop, Cash Office, Housing Services, Law Agents, Information Systems, Roads and Transportation Services, Higher Education Grants, and the Register of Electors.
Galway County Council has developed a Disability Action Plan through consultation with fourteen local disability-related organisations. An Access Implementation Plan for County Hall has been drawn up and is currently being implemented. Tender specifications frequently mention universal access as a criterion when the council is procuring goods or services. Members of staff have received Disability and Equality training, and an Equality Officer and Equality Action Team are in place. Galway County Council's booklet, Your Guide to our Services
, outlines how customers can contact the organisation via phone, letter, email, website, or in person.
Accessible parking bays are located to the rear of County Hall, with access to the building via a clearly marked path and automatic doors. The most frequently used internal doors are either automatic or power-assisted, to facilitate circulation within the building. All services are signposted by accessible way-finding signage located throughout the building. Most services in the building can be accessed from public counters fitted with induction loops and accessibility aids.
The council has developed a style guide for written documents. The council also has an Accessible Information Policy, with a clear print style guide for staff, and guidelines to assist staff in the preparation of information for the public. The communications policy has been developed to assist staff in dealing with requests for documents in alternative formats, such as large print, audio or Braille. Key documents are readily available in alternative formats. The Galway County website was audited for accessibility and an action plan is in place to address outstanding issues.
Pictured at the presentation of the Excellence through Accessibility award are:
