Inclusive projects

Part IV: The Access Champion

7. The Access Champion

7.1 Introduction and definition

7.1.1 The 'Access Champion' is the title given by this guide to individuals or organisations who concern themselves with the definition, design and construction of buildings and facilities in accordance with the accepted principles of high quality inclusive design.

7.1.2 The existence of 'Access Champions' is nothing new, although research indicates that the frequency with which they are appointed and the scope of their involvement varies enormously from the non existent to the substantial.

7.1.3 One of the key messages highlighted by research (undertaken prior to the preparation of this guide), is the direct correlation between the presence of an 'Access Champion' during the design and construction of a building and the subsequent quality of access.

7.1.4 Ideally the Access Champion will be an independently appointed expert with a direct and contractual link to the employer. Although independence is not essential, it is usually preferable, as it allows the Access Champion to operate without any contractual, political or aesthetic obligation to the design team or the contractor.

7.1.5 If the role is undertaken by the project architect, it is important for all parties to ensure that the quality of access and facilities is not inadvertently eroded or compromised in any way by other design aspirations.

7.2 Two important points

7.2.1 In appointing an Access Champion the developer/employer must consider two important facts.

7.2.2 The first consideration is that to receive appropriate professional advice, it is reasonable to expect that a fee will have to be paid, even where the role is being undertaken by the architect.

7.2.3 The role of an Access Champion requires a commitment that has an associated time and expense implications. Research indicates that some employers wrongly expect their architect to discharge the role of an Access Champion as an integral function of their existing appointment. If this attitude is adopted, then it is likely that the quality of output will be diminished.

7.2.4 The second consideration is the robust assessment of a potential Access Champion's abilities, prior to appointment. The following section deals with the basic skills and experience required of a competent Access Champion and the subsequent sector gives guidance on how these skills might be assessed.

7.3 The relevant skills of an Access Champion

7.3.1 It is essential that an Access Champion has appropriate skills in four areas, namely consultation and negotiation skills, technical skills, legal skills and contractual skills.

7.3.2 Consultation and negotiations skills should include an understanding of the workings and structure of the project team, and should include an ability to accurately and persuasively convey the requirements and benefits of access, especially when other pressures or considerations exist.

7.3.3 The necessary technical skills required can be summarised as:

• an understanding of the processes and principles applicable to design and construction of buildings and the built environment;
• an understanding of technical and structural constraints of access solutions;
• an ability to read and understand complex technical drawings and specifications;
• an understanding of current guidance and/or best practice in the access field;
• an understanding of the needs of, and design issues relating to all users and potential users of environments, particularly those users with disabilities;
• an understanding of the importance of consulting with users and/or potential users and experience of such consultation;
• understanding of the non-physical issues which may impact upon the accessibility of an environment, such as management issues;
• understanding of the importance of an access policy and access strategy;
• understanding of the reasons for undertaking an access audit of design proposals;
• experience of carrying out satisfactory access audits and preparing access audit reports;
• experience of representing the issues to technical and nontechnical groups and to design teams/employers;
• an understanding of the means of escape requirements for disabled people including BS5588 Part 8;
• an ability to act as an Access Champion on a range of project types including new build and refurbishments;
• problem identification and solving;
• an ability to identify barriers and hazards to accessibility within an environment by physical inspection;
• an ability to identify barriers and hazards to accessibility within an environment from drawings and specifications;
• an ability to recommend access solutions to barriers and hazards identified above, in line with current guidance and or best practice;
• an ability to identify situations not covered by current guidance and or best practice and make recommendations accordingly;
• an ability to apply current guidance and/or best practice and the design issues relating to all users and potential users of environments beyond construction related activities;
• an appreciation of the technical constraints to access solutions and the ability to take these into account when recommending solutions;
• an appreciation of aesthetic aspirations and technical, time and cost implications and constraints faced by design teams and clients and the ability to take these into account when recommending solutions; and
• an ability to prepare access statements and strategies.

7.3.4 The legal skills required of an Access Champion can be summarised as follows:

An understanding of:

• the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and associated regulations and codes of practice;
• the Building Regulations (England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland);
• Health and Safety Legislation;
• Occupiers Liability Acts;
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations;
• Fire Regulations; and
• Highways Act 1980.

7.3.5 The contractual skills required of an Access Champion can be summarised as follows:

• an understanding of the legal obligations and liabilities associated with offering expert advice;
• an understanding of the different ways of arranging payment for consultancy services' and
• an understanding of negotiating and operating under formal consultancy agreements.

7.4. Finding an Access Champion and assessing their abilities

7.4.1 Selecting an appropriate Access Champion is key to project success. The suggested steps are as follows:

7.4.2 Firstly, identify potential candidates.

• This can be achieved by discussions with colleagues, contacts or other construction professionals. Organisations such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or Royal Institute of British Architects are also likely to have suggested candidates.
• There is also a National Register of Access Consultants (http://www.nrac.org.uk) who through membership are deemed to have met the minimum competencies described above. However the reader should bear in mind that the experience of many consultants on the register varies in terms of its relevance, and also that many competent Access Champions are not registered (as the National Register is still in relative infancy). Additionally it should be noted that registration is voluntary, not obligatory.

7.4.3 Secondly, a shortlist of candidates should be identified.

• Contact should be made with a shortlist of candidates who should be asked to demonstrate their ability to meet the competencies described above. Some of the technical competencies in particular can be 'deemed included' within a professional construction qualification, although others should be demonstrated. From this process a shortlist of up to three candidates should be identified.

7.4.4 Thirdly interviewing and fee tendering should be undertaken.

• On more substantial schemes this could include visits to completed schemes where access provisions could be demonstrated and the Access Champion's contributions assessed. Where the Access Champion is not the lead designer, it is recommended that the lead designer also participates in the interview process to assess their ability to work closely together.

7.4.5 Lastly a fee paying contractual agreement should be entered into.

• This should include details of the scope of service described above.

Published: 17 June 2003

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