HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 cc1193-4W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans she has to improve access; and if she will make a statement. [18592]

Mr. Forth

The Department has staff in London and Darlington. The Teachers Pensions Agency occupies specific areas on the Mowden hall site in Darlington, its accommodation being provided by the Department.

Sanctuary buildings in London was designed to be fully accessible to the disabled. The entrance allows for easy access by wheelchair and there are a limited number of parking spaces in the basement for disabled staff. There are lifts to all floors of the building including the basement for use of the car park. There are male and female toilets for the disabled on every floor. The staff training centre at Park gate in Tothill street is housed on a single floor of an older building. A ramp is available to allow for wheelchair access.

The main Darlington office is at Mowden hall. There is level access to the building. Access for disabled people has been improved over the years to provide: parking spaces specifically for disabled people; ramps both portable and static where necessary on site; a reception desk which has been lowered to make it more user friendly; lifts which are available from the reception area to all floors of the main building; toilets for the disabled which are fitted with emergency alarms; and emergency flashing lights are provided for staff with hearing difficulties.

The staff training centre at Enterprise house in Darlington offers access by a stairmatic chair. There are plans to relocate the staff training centre to the main Mowden hall site by the end of 1995 making it more accessible.

Evacu-chairs are provided on all sites to assist with the evacuation of disabled staff in emergencies.

The Department will he considering what further action could be taken to improve physical access and facilities for disabled staff, as part of its action plan to achieve equality of opportunity for staff with disabilities.