Accessibility Policy 

Policy Statement 

West Pennine Villages u3a (WPVu3a) is a learning co-operative and membership charity which enables members in their third age to share educational, creative and leisure activities. Members of each u3a draw upon their knowledge, skills and experience to teach and learn from each other (peer to peer learning). WPVu3a is committed to ensuring that the u3a is as inclusive and accessible as possible for those in their third age who meet the criteria for membership. This policy should be read alongside WPVu3a’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Aims of the Policy

This policy has been drawn up to ensure that WPVu3a takes steps to review accessibility needs for individual members and makes reasonable adjustments, where possible, to accommodate the needs of members with disabilities and/or health related needs. The policy takes into account the requirements of the Equalities Act 2010 and the need for WPVu3a to avoid discriminating directly or indirectly against members with disabilities and/or health related needs. The policy will act as a reference point for Committee Members, Group Convenors and individual members in terms of the steps WPVu3a will take. The policy will also identify the parameters of the adjustments that can be made. WPVu3a is a membership charity and not a service provider, therefore whilst reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure that individuals can participate and can attend with carers to support their needs, there will be certain needs that the u3a will not be able to accommodate due to the level of care that an individual may need. 

Practical Approaches to Increasing Access

In ensuring equality of access West Pennine Villages u3a will take the following steps:

• An Accessibility Officer will be identified from amongst the membership. This will be a volunteer role/committee member role.
• The Accessibility Officer will have responsibility for liaising with Group Convenors on an ongoing basis to ensure that groups are accessible and that group convenors are aware of what the expectations are and what adjustments may need to be made e.g. relocating a group held within someone’s home to a wheelchair accessible venue.
• The Accessibility Officer will contact new members who indicate that they have a disability or health related issue that may need additional support and/or adjustment and discuss with them what needs they have and how these could be met, as appropriate.
• General meetings will, as far as possible, be held at a well-lit, fully wheelchair accessible venue, spacious enough to cope with wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with wheelchair accessible toilet and microphone with sound system amplification in use. 
• Speakers giving visual presentations will be asked to give a good description of the presentation if there is a possibility that people with visual impairment are present.  
• At the monthly members’ meetings the front row of seats will be reserved for members who have impaired hearing or vision. 
• Access will be reviewed by the committee on an ongoing basis with a view to considering any additional adjustments that may need to be made e.g. use of microphone through audio system or access to dementia friends training.
• Committee members and Group Convenors will receive an induction and/or training designed to support them in having an awareness of and facilitating access.
• Group Convenors running groups that require a certain level of fitness and/or mobility will be asked to provide this information to members in advance so that members can decide as to whether the group is suitable for them.
• Group Convenors will liaise with the Accessibility Officer where there are concerns about an individual’s ability to participate.
• WPVu3a will try to ensure that there are a range of groups available that will provide access to members so that members do not feel excluded from too many interest/activity groups.
• WPVu3a will encourage and may require members to bring carers with them to u3a activities, as needed, with no additional cost for the carer. The carer will fall under u3a liability insurance unless they are a professional carer, in which case the individual will be covered by their employer’s insurance cover.
• WPVu3a will maintain a database of venues and the facilities offered by each venue to accommodate different needs.
• WPVu3a has a duty of care to all members and this may mean that difficult decisions have to be taken in assessing an individual’s ability to participate either in the u3a as a whole or within individual activities. These decisions will always be taken through discussion with the individual member and his or her carer in order to ensure that a fair and considered decision is taken. This may include developing a risk assessment with the individual regarding their ability to participate.
• WPVu3a will seek additional advice and support from u3aPlus, the Regional Trustee, National Office, the national website and external specialist organisations as required.

This policy was adopted on: 22 November 2022

Signed Chair of West Pennine Villages u3a