The National Disability Authority's
Excellence through Accessibility award
was presented to
Sligo County Council
for the
Sligo County Hall
on December 3rd, 2008.
Sligo 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
Councillor Deirdre Healy McGowan (Leas Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council)
and
Tony Parkinson (Access Officer, Sligo County Council).
The car park at Sligo County Hall has accessible parking bays that are clearly marked and conveniently located near the entrance.
The entrance doors near the accessible parking bays are power-assisted. The push-button for activating the doors is easy to reach.
The reception area in Sligo County Hall has a lowered counter and is free from obstruction.
The public computer in the reception area at Sligo County Council has a large screen. The keyboard has large keys with good colour contrast, and there is a large trackball. The desk is not too high.
The steps inside Sligo County Hall have tactile warning strips at the top and bottom and handrails on both sides. There is good colour contrast on the steps, and the first and last steps are marked differently to the rest of the steps. An evacuation chair
has been provided at the top of the steps, for people who would have difficulty going down steps in an emergency.
Sligo County Council's mission is to provide a process for democratic decision making at a local level and to enhance the lives of the people of Sligo. Sligo County Hall is the head office for Sligo County Council, and was refurbished in 2001. The County Hall provides Information Services, Housing Services, Planning, Register of Electors, and Water Services. Services are available at public counters, by phone, and via the Sligo County Council website.
Sligo County Council has consulted extensively with a Disability Consultative Committee and has developed an Implementation Plan for accessibility. The organisation is customer-focused and has recently developed and launched a new Customer Charter. The council also has an Equality and Diversity Public Services Access Charter.
The car park has been upgraded to include three accessible parking bays and a drop off area. The main and side entrance doors are clearly defined and are fitted with power-assisted doors to provide easy access for all building users. Access routes within the building are spacious and unobstructed. Reception counters throughout the building are accessible to wheelchair users and fitted with loop systems to accommodate hearing aid users. A variety of seating types is provided for the public in corridors and reception areas. To improve safety for building users, the open risers in the main staircase have been filled in.
Sligo County Council has shown great initiative in relation to information and communications. The council has introduced audio podcasts on their website to in response to user feedback. The council have recently launch a text-based communications system for alerting traffic wardens to obstructions caused by incorrectly parked vehicles. The Sligo County Council website is structured with accessibility in mind. To ensure ongoing accessibility for the website, the organisation has a clear development plan in place with performance indicators in place and timescales outlined.
Pictured at the presentation of the Excellence through Accessibility award are:
Some of the people who worked to improve the accessibility of Sligo County Hall are:
