Raising awareness

Three essential elements of an inclusive environment are:

• Physical, sensory and cognitive access;

• Ensuring that staff and managers know how a building is designed and their duties in facilitating access; and

• Communicating to the public / residents that a place is designed to be accessible.

Conferences

Rachael's experience of working on all types of projects led to being invited to speak at conferences organised by:

• RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors);

• NRAC (National Register of Access Consultants);

• CAE (Centre for Accessible Environments);

• Chartered Institute of Housing, Northern Ireland; and

• Colliers International / Howard Kennedy.

Rachael also delivers CPD sessions about access and inclusive design to architects and designers, and has given two seminars on the subject to RIBA City Clubs.

Access groups

Working with consultative access groups is an essential part of the design process for large developments. Withernay Projects facilitates sessions and provides tactile plans, which are designed for people with sight loss but other people also find them useful.

Experience with consultative access groups includes:

• British Museum Access Group;

• Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability forum (HAFAD);

• York Theatre Royal Access Group;SEND teachers;

• Built Environment Accessibility Panel - Network Rail;

• Built Environment Accessibility Panel - London Legacy Development Corporation;

• Inclusive Design and Access Panel (IDaAP); and

• British Museum Access Advisory Group.

CPD sessions

Continuing Professional Development sessions are tailored to suit particular aspects of the subject, such as historic buildings, residential design or public spaces, or be a general introduction to access and inclusive design. Unless Withernay Projects works with your organisation CPD sessions will be subject to a fee.