Access Consultancy Service

OVERVIEW

PDM Consultants offer a comprehensive Access Consultancy service, which ranges from advising clients on current and pending legislation to assessing accessibility through Access Audits on existing buildings and on new architectural projects.

The Disability Discrimination Act, one of the most significant pieces of consumer legislation for some time, was passed in 1995. It has been introduced in stages and from October 2004 employers and service providers (e.g. businesses and organisations) have had to make reasonable adjustments to their premises to overcome physical barriers to access for disabled people. The Act applies to existing buildings, those being altered and new buildings.

PDM Consultants can advise on the scope and effects of the Act, and how to manage change in light of the new duties, from one off Access Audits to ongoing Access Action Plans and Access Statements.

BACKGROUND

The Access Consultancy division of PDM Consultants was formed by Eileen Slater in 2003.

Eileen is an architect and has 20 years experience in architectural practice in the UK.

As an Access Consultant, Eileen is involved in a variety of roles including auditing existing buildings, advising designers on access issues in relations to their designs, preparing Access Statements, involvement in training and making presentations.

She has been Access Consultant on over 50 projects to date, including listed buildings and those in conservation areas as well as with new build developments. Previous projects have included retail, commercial, arts, community, educational and residential developments.