Task group tackles disabled access to council-owned buildings and parks

The cross-party Access for People with a Disability Task Group has consulted with a range of organisations in a bid to identify potential improvements to increase accessibility for the disabled.

And now the task group has invited residents to highlight access issues at council-owned buildings, parks, green spaces and car parks which can be investigated during the review.

At a recent meeting, councillors on the task group heard evidence from Rugby Disability Forum, the Rugby Sport for the Disabled Association and GLL, the sport and leisure company which runs the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Centre on behalf of the council.

Issues highlighted during the meeting included improved hearing loop system signage at the Town Hall, disabled access to the War Memorial at Whitehall Recreation Ground and parking for the disabled at the council's independent living accommodation.

Cllr Julie A'Barrow, task group chair, said: "The council places customer access at the forefront of its thinking when designing or refurbishing our buildings and facilities, and we comply with all relevant legislation on access for the disabled.

"However, we aspire to provide safe and accessible environments for all, including people with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments.

"The task group wants to hear the experiences of residents who access our buildings and facilities, and suggestions for improvements, however minor, which can make a difference and increase accessibility."

Residents can contribute to the review by completing the online form on the council's website at www.rugby.gov.uk/disabledaccess or by emailing comments to democraticservices@rugby.gov.uk 

Contributions should be sent by 5pm on Friday 15 February.

The council's Brooke Overview and Scrutiny Committee looks set to consider a report from the task group at a meeting in April.