Community / New panel aims to improve accessibility in Shetland
PEOPLE are being invited to take part in the first Shetland Access Panel, which is a community initiative designed to improve accessibility.
Folk with lived experience of a visible or hidden disability are encouraged to get involved with the panel.
The project is supported by Disability Equality Scotland (DES) and Ability Shetland.
The aim will be to identify and tackle barriers that prevent equal access to services, facilities and opportunities.
The hope is that those on the panel will be able use their experience and insight to influence local decision-making and improve accessibility in Shetland.
Shetland Islands Council chief executive Maggie Sandison said: “Shetland is one of a few Scottish Local Authorities that does not have a recognised access panel as demonstrated on the DES map.
“There is real commitment from our partners and community groups to make our community facilities more accessible.
“Harnessing the experience and knowledge of people with lived experience can support us all to remove barriers and build a more inclusive community”.
Ability Shetland team leader Stephanie Bain added that it is important to have an access panel which is independent from the local authority and other services and agencies, but can still work together with them.
“We are currently looking for volunteer panel members who must have lived experience of disability (visible or invisible) but it would also be good to have people who are carers/parents and those with a background in architecture/planning etc too.
“The panel will have its own constitution and will come under the Disability Equality Scotland umbrella, which all other access panels in Scotland are under.
“It is hoped that Ability Shetland will at some point employ an access panel coordinator who can support the group with practicalities such as recruitment of volunteers, arranging training and support to members and also to help set up meetings with the council, [and] other access panels.”
Ian Buchanan, equality and access manager for Disability Equality Scotland, said the new Shetland panel will be joining a network of “dedicated and experienced disabled people who use their lived experience to improve accessibility in their local areas”.
He added: “You don’t need to be a town planner or an architect to know when something in the built environment doesn’t work for disabled people; all we’re looking for is a passion for inclusion and your lived experience.”
Anyone interested in participating in the panel is asked to contact Disability Equality Scotland on access@disabilityequality.scot or Ability Shetland at abilityshetland@shetland.org.
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