Accessible City Strategy 2023 in easy read

An easy ready version on the Accessible City Strategy 2023.

Composite image of a group of people with different disabilities next to a folder labelled plans.

What is the Accessible City Strategy?

We want Brighton & Hove to be a place where everyone feels included.

We want the city to be as accessible as possible for disabled people.

The strategy is a plan of the work the council will do to make this happen.

On the right are three people in front of a house, tree and cathedral. On the left are two people in front of a red bus.

Why do we need the Accessible City Strategy? 

Accessibility means being able to do everyday things like: 

  • be part of the community
  • use transport
  • go to work or volunteer
  • get the support you need
  • take part in activities and have fun
  • have a choice of good housing. 
  • get good healthcare. 
Person in wheelchair going up a ramp. Progress pride flag. Easy read symbol. Group of five people from different ethnic backgrounds.

We know these things can be much harder for some people because of: 

  • disability
  • learning disability and/or autism
  • disabilities you cannot see like mental health
  • speaking a different language. 
  • ethnic background. 
  • being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual or another identity. 

The strategy is a plan to make these things fairer for everyone. 

Group of people inside the lens of a magnifying glass.

How did we write the strategy? 

We worked with others to write the strategy. 

We asked lots of people what we need to do to make life in Brighton and Hove good for everyone. 

We listened to disabled people and people with other support needs from: 

  • Possability People 
  • Mind 
  • Grace Eyre 
  • Speak Out 
  • East Sussex Vision Support 
  • Amaze 
Four happy people in front of several speech bubbles.

How will we know if we are getting it right? 

We have set up a Disability Panel. 

This is a group of people who meet to talk about what the council is doing to make things more accessible.   

The panel is made up of disabled people and people from: 

  • Possability People
  • Mind
  • Grace Eyre
  • Speak Out
  • East Sussex Vision Support
  • Amaze
  • Deaf Services Liaison Forum  

They also bring feedback from different people and groups.  

This helps make sure we are getting things right. 

The strategy

Person showing a list with three items.

What people told us

The Disability Panel decided the 3 most important things for us to concentrate on.

We have called these Priorities. 

These are the 3 Priorities:

Two women talking. One has a whiteboard and is writing something down. They are both inside a magnifying glass lens.

1. Engagement  

  • Making sure we listen to what disabled people are telling us. 
  • Telling disabled people about what the council is doing. 
  • Thinking about what disabled people need when we are making plans. 
Man using a pointer to point to a graph.

2. Data 

  • Using the information we have to understand what disabled people need. 
  • Using the information we have to plan services that are good for everyone. 
Pile of books with text 'Plans' on the cover.

3. Policy and practice 

  • Making sure we are doing things in the best way. 
  • Making sure we are sticking to the rules.
Two people inside the shape of a house with text 'Council' underneath. Three people looking at a plan with speech and thought bubbles, inside the lens of a magnifying glass.

Working together

  • Everyone at the council will work together towards making Brighton and Hove an Accessible City.
  • There are 5 teams in the council. They will all follow the three priorities to make their service accessible to everyone.  
  • Next we will tell you what each team does.  
  • And what they will do to make Brighton and Hove more accessible. 
Three people in front of a house, tree and cathedral surrounded by a purple ring with text 'Community Life'. Two people pointing at a house and block of flats.

Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities

What our team does 

We:

  • support and listen to communities and charities
  • make sure that the right housing is available
  • find out what different people in the community need
  • help people to get information from libraries or online
Composite image of a person listening to find out about something next to person sat in front of a computer using the internet.

What we will do to make a more accessible city

We will:

  • find ways of hearing what disabled people have to say
  • work with disabled people to plan services
  • make sure we are thinking about everyone when we plan housing
  • support disabled people to get online
Person using a phone and being watched by a supervisor sitting next to them. Woman and young girl sitting and waving.

Families, Children and Learning 

What our team does 

We:

  • support families, children and people with special educational needs
  • support families to make sure that children are safe and cared for
  • support people with learning disabilities
  • make sure that people have the education, skills and support they need to lead good lives
Composite image of a person listening to find out about something next to a person holding a checklist.

What we will do to make a more accessible city

We will:

  • look at the ways we listen to disabled people
  • use what they tell us to improve our services
  • check that the way we work is the best way and make changes to improve things
Pile of books with text 'Plans' on the cover. Four people in front of an official building. Book of rules.

Governance, People and Resources 

What our team does 

We:

  • help council teams with their planning
  • make sure that the whole council works together for the same goals
  • look after council workers
  • make sure that money is looked after properly
  • make sure that the council is sticking to the law
Composite image of a person getting information on the phone next to a person holding a report document.

What we will do to make a more accessible city

We will:

  • make sure that the council is an accessible place to work for everyone.
  • make sure that council staff know how to make information accessible.
  • train our staff, so that they understand how to make their service accessible for everyone. 
Refuse lorry. Tree. Royal Pavilion Gardens.

Economy, Environment and Culture 

What our team does 

We:

  • make sure the streets are clean and collect rubbish and recycling
  • look after parks and green spaces
  • make sure that traffic and travel is safe and eco-friendly
  • make Brighton & Hove an interesting and fun place to be
Composite image of a group of people in front of speech bubbles next to Brighton Beach and pier.

What we will do to make a more accessible city

We will:

  • make sure we think of everyone’s needs when we make plans
  • share information about what we are doing so that disabled people can have their say
  • train our staff so they understand that people have lots of different needs
  • work out what needs to change in Brighton and Hove so that everyone can enjoy being in town
  • continue to make the beach more accessible for disabled people
Group of different people together. Two people pointing at pictures of two other people on a board.

Health and Adult Social Care 

What our team does 

We:

  • work to make sure that everyone gets what they need to be healthy and lead a good life
  • support older people
  • make sure that people are cared for safely
  • check people are getting the right support
  • make sure that people get the right information and can make choices
Composite image of a person in a wheelchair on a ramp, people organising Direct Debit payment and an easy read logo

What we will do to make a more accessible city

We will:

  • use what people tell us to plan services that suit everyone
  • make sure that we pay attention to the health and wellbeing of disabled people
  • check that health services are accessible for people with learning disabilities
  • look at direct payments and make sure they work well for people
Laptop with text 'click' on screen.

For more information

Read the long version of the strategy.

Laptop with envelope and text 'email'.

If you have questions or comments email edi.officer-disability@brighton-hove.gov.uk 

To get involved with the strategy or the Disability Panel email edi.officer-disability@brighton-hove.gov.uk