An accessible city for everyone

Brighton & Hove’s first Accessible City Strategy was approved by councillors at last night’s Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee.

The aim of the strategy is to put accessibility at the heart of how we design and deliver all our services and make it easier for everyone, particularly the elderly and the disabled, to get the council services they need and to be able to enjoy the city.

The strategy includes those people who have visible and invisible disabilities, for example those who are deaf or neurodivergent, who live in, work or visit Brighton & Hove.

The Accessible City Strategy will now go to the Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee for final approval.

Developing our accessibility strategy

The draft Accessible City Strategy was written after talking with disabled people’s organisations and disabled individuals within the council and the city.

It builds on existing council work, looks at current approaches and starts new work where needed.

The guiding principles of the strategy look at disability as a whole – where people are disabled by barriers in society as well as by their impairment or difference. And the strategy goes beyond the minimum legal compliance with the Equality Act wherever possible and practical.

All council services have been involved in developing the strategy and have set up action plans to ensure that inclusivity is key and consistent across all council work.

These action plans will be subject to regular monitoring and review to guarantee accountability and continuous improvement.

Two important engagement groups – the Disability Panel and the Wider Reference Group – were involved in writing the strategy.

The Disability Panel brings together larger disabled people’s organisations and disabled individuals to give strategic, expert and impartial advice on developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing the strategy and the resulting action plans.

The Wider Reference Group provides a safe, inclusive space for local disability groups and organisations to give their views and discuss how the city and council services can become more accessible.​

Inclusive development

Councillor Leslie Pumm, Chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said:

“As a newly formed council, we have ambitious plans to improve equality and accessibility. This strategy is just the beginning of a journey to make the city work better for everyone.

“We want to make Brighton & Hove a more welcoming, inclusive and accessible place for the diverse community of people who live in, work in, or visit the city, irrespective of their access requirements.

“The Accessible City Strategy aims to give everyone equal access to everything the city has to offer.

“This city-wide integrated​ approach is the first to be delivered nationally.

“There has been a lot of progress in and around the city over the past years but we’re very aware it’s not everywhere, and much more needs to be done.

“Bringing all best practice together and identifying where work still needs to be done is a major step in our work towards making the city more accessible for all residents and visitors.”