Edinburgh Access Panel works with Council partners and local businesses to improve accessibility for physically disabled and sensory impaired people, predominantly in relation to the built environment. We believe that full access should be incorporated into every facet of Scottish life and our aim is that Edinburgh should become a model of what a fully accessible city should look like.
Edinburgh Access Panel, one of around 50 in Scotland, was originally formed in the 1980s. The Panel contains up to thirteen representatives. They may be individuals with disabilities, those who represent disability organisations, or others with an interest in our work and who have talents and skills they can bring to the group, which increase its capacity to work effectively. There is a part-time Secretary, and Officers from Edinburgh City Council provide support at meetings and in following up issues.
Edinburgh Access Panel members meet on a regular basis, usually once a month. Our main business is to consider current planning applications for public buildings, and make comments in relation to any accessibility issues. We frequently act as consultees in relation to large development projects in Edinburgh, and advise the developers, at an early stage, about improvements in access arrangements.
