Disability strategy (FOI)

Request

In accordance with the proposed Disability Strategy for Jersey, has an access audit been undertaken of all existing public buildings or will such an audit be undertaken in the near future?

If so, who has or will undertake this research and evaluation?

What is the cost so far of any such access investigations?

Has any costing been undertaken regarding the expense of making all public buildings accessible within the meaning and aims of the Disability Strategy?

Response

It should be noted that within the Disability Strategy for Jersey there is no specific action to undertake an access audit of all existing public buildings. However, in the Financial and manpower implications statement from proposition P.20/2018 DRAFT DISCRIMINATION (DISABILITY) (JERSEY) REGULATIONS 201-, it is noted that:

Department for Infrastructure – The Department will undertake an audit of the public property portfolio to assess its suitability in relation to the forthcoming [Disability discrimination] legislation. An initial assessment of a sample of public buildings indicates that a significant investment, potentially running into some millions of pounds over a period of time, will be required to implement improvements. A prioritised and cost investment strategy will be brought forward for consideration in the next Medium Term Financial Plan from 2020.

The full proposition is available on the States Assembly website through the following link:

Draft Discrimination (Disability) (Jersey) Regulations 201-

The cost of the initial audit of a sample of properties was £24,500.