We will, where practicable, take all reasonable measures to make all its buildings and amenities, which are open to the public, accessible to all. We will also seek to influence and encourage owners of commercial and retail buildings to do likewise.

We are keen ....

• To raise awareness of the access needs of disabled people.
• To encourage local providers of goods and services to meet the needs of disabled people.
• To provide advice to businesses and others in meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Who can help?

If you are disabled, or if you have an interest in improving access facilities please read on.

Local Access Groups

At the current time there is only one access group operating within the Ashford area, which is the Ashford Access Group

For more information please email Susan Mansfield, smansfield@thway.org.uk or contact her by telephone on 01233 860422.

Access Statements

Advice and examples of Access Statements can be downloaded from the Disability Rights Commission.

Shopmobility Ashford

Shopmobility Ashford is a registered charity affiliated to the National Federation of Shopmobility. Their scheme provides electrically powered scooters and manual wheelchairs to help people who have limited mobility to shop and use the leisure facilities within the town centre of Ashford.

For further information you can telephone 01233 650063 or Email Shopmobility Ashford.

Useful Contacts

The Kent County Council Occupational Therapy (OT) Bureau assesses your needs for special equipment or adaptations to your home, if you have difficulty with daily living tasks due to a physical disability or frailty.

• Ashford Borough Council- Access Officer

             Telephone 01233 330280 or email geoff.cole@ashford.gov.uk

• Wheelchair Users Group

             Telephone 01303 226500 or email wchairuser@aol.com

• Disability Rights Commission (DRC)

             Telephone 08457 622633

• Centre for Accessible Environments

             Telephone 020 78400125 or email info@cae.org.uk

• Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)

             Telephone 020 73881266 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk  

• Royal National Institute for Deaf People

             Telephone 0808 8080123 or email informationline@rnid.org.uk

             Textphone  0808 808 9000

• Scope

             Telephone 020 76197725 or robin.davies@scope.org.uk