2
Recommended Corporate Procedures -Section 2
It is vital that officers from the relevant statutory
authorities understand the following:-
1. The first and most important step: produce, for public acceptance, a DDA policy and Public protection document.
2. Take note of obligations to implement legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act (linked to the Human Rights Act) and the Road Traffic Act. This is especially the case with staff responsible for public pathways, placing, authorising or supervising the installation or placement of pathways, kerbs, street furniture, pedestrian crossings, pedestrian direction signage, pedestrian services including WCs, warning and information notices, temporary works of any nature and street cleanliness.
3. Attend, and appreciate, an approved disability equality-training course, such as those run by Disability North.
4. Become fully conversant with the current central government, RNIB / GDBA Joint Mobility Unit guidelines for the above items.
5. Become aware of all central government and outside source funded initiatives to improve and upgrade any of the above items and fully exploit these. ie - To install the ‘React’ or ‘talking lamppost’ audio direction systems (see appendix) and upgrade all pedestrian controlled crossings with audio signals as well as the rotating tactile knob for the benefit of people with deaf and blind impairments.
6. Consult with disabled people whenever new or innovative untried projects are envisaged. The consequences of not doing so have, in the past, resulted in accidents.
7. Become conscious of the need to reconcile functionality with any architectural, aesthetic or heritage aspirations.
8. Enforce pathway obstruction, dog fouling and parking legislation.
9. Properly
maintain pathway surfaces, to eliminate people tripping up. Also,
attend to paving flagstones and floodable areas.